With so many filter brands, it has become highly challenging for customers to find an ideal whole-house filter system for their place. Two of the most popular filter brands are springwell vs pelican. They offer a vast range of filters suitable for well-water and groundwater supply.
Though the two brands offer many types of filters, whole-house water systems are their specialty. Unlike other filters, whole-house water systems must be purchased after much consideration and determination of certain features. Pelican and Springwell are renowned brands that manufacture some of the best long-lasting whole-house water systems.
If you are buying the filter system for the first time and are confused between Springwell and Pelican, then a comparison guide may help you make a choice. Check out the following context to know which of these two brands makes features a better whole-house filter range.
But before directly scrutinizing the Springwell vs Pelican comparison, let’s have a discrete analysis of each brand, as it will make the differentiation between the brands more compelling.
Springwell vs Pelican: The Ultimate Comparison
Now that our readers are familiar with the features of Springwell and Pelican whole-house water systems, it is time to compare them. With the help of the Sprifngwell vs Pelican comparison, one can make a better choice between the two brands.
| Specifications | Springwell | Pelican |
| Images |  |  |
| Number of Bathrooms | 1-3, 4-6, 7+ | 1-3, 4-6 |
| Flow Rate | 8 to 20 GPM | 8 to 12 GPM |
| Purification Rate | 99% | More than 90% |
| Price Range | $$$$ | $$$ |
| Warranty | 8 to 10 Years | Five Years |
| Electricity | Not Required | Not Required |
| Pre-filter Replacement | 6 to 9 months | 6 to 9 months |
| Price | See Actual Price | See Actual Price |
Springwell Whole-House Water Systems
Springwell systems have been in the market for over forty years and are one of the most popular filter brands of all time. No matter what type of filter you seek, you will find them all in the Springwell range. However, as mentioned earlier, the brand is known for its whole-house filter systems.
The reason behind the high demand for Springwell water systems is their lifetime warranty and extensive capacity ranges. Besides these significant aspects, there are a lot of other characteristics that make these filter systems so functional and popular. To give readers a deeper insight into Springwell’s whole-house water systems, an extensive analysis of their features and quality is mentioned below.
- Filtration Method
A whole-house filter system has to purify extensive amounts of water within a short duration. Therefore, its filtration quality must be superior to an average water filter. Springwell water filters work on ActiveFlo technology- a four-stepped method that ensures excellent filtration quality without compromising the flow rate.
During the first stage, water passes through the KDF media bed, which removes harmful chemicals from water. Municipal groundwater supply is notorious for being contaminated with toxic chemicals such as chlorine. Thus, this KDF bed ensures the elimination of all such chemicals that make water unsafe for consumption.
To ensure maximum purification rate, Springwell whole-house water systems utilize a catalytic carbon media in the second step. Activated carbon is best known for removing toxic contaminants and chemicals from the liquid medium. The carbon media filters water by removing organic pollutants, including VOCs, herbicides, and chloramine.
The filtration quality increases when the contact period between water and the filter media is extensive. Most filter systems flop because the contact period is insufficient between the liquid and filter medium. Therefore, to root out this problem, Springwell water filters feature an innovative technology that increases the contact period between water and the media.
Then comes the last stage, consisting of a sediment pre-filter with large filter pores. When water passes through this media, clay, sediment, and dirt particles get removed. At the end of stage four, the purification rate of the water has reached up to 99%, which implies its pure and filtered state.
- Pressure Quality
An ideal whole-house filter system does not only have a viable pressure quality, but it must have an optimal flow rate as well. Whole-house filters have to supply water all over the place; therefore, they cannot deliver water aptly if their flow rate is insufficient.
Fortunately, Springwell whole-house water filters do not have any pressure issues. In fact, Springwell is one of the filter brands that offer such an excellent flow rate range. If you purchase a Springwell filter for 1-3 bathrooms, its flow rate will be around 9 GPM.
Similarly, for a 3-6 bathroom filter, the flow rate increases to 12 GPM. However, if you opt for Springwell’s largest filter, you can enjoy an impressive pressure range of 20 GPM. Most filters only offer a flow rate of up to 15 GPM, but Springwell filters being more advanced, introduces the highest pressure range in their water systems.
- Capacity and Warranty
While buying a whole-house filter, you must determine its warranty and capacity. If a water filter does not have a large capacity, its warranty period will ultimately be short. And since a whole-house filter has to supply water all over the place, it must have an extensive capacity; otherwise, you may need to replace it frequently.
If you are considering a Springwell whole-house filter, capacity range and warranty period won’t be an issue then. All Springwell whole-house systems offer a generous capacity of up to one million gallons, implying that they can easily last for about eight to ten years, depending upon their usage.
- Installation and Maintenance
Though the installation of whole-house water systems is complex, Springwell filters are dissimilar to conventional filters and offer easy installation. All Springwell whole-house filters come pre-assembled, implying that you must join a few pipes, and the water system will be ready to perform.
When it comes to the maintenance of these filters, you must change their pre-filter every six to nine months. Similarly, the carbon media will also require replacement after two years. However, one aspect you must consider is that though these filters need little maintenance, the cost of required replacement items is not budget-friendly.
To understand further about the Springwell water filters, we have reviewed one of the top-rated whole-house water systems from the Springwell range.
Springwell Whole-House Water Filter System
| Capacity | 1,000,000 Gallons |
| Bathrooms | 1-3, 3-6, 7+ |
| Flow Rate | 9 to 20 GPM |
| Operating Pressure | 25 to 80 PSI |
| Operating Temperatures | 36 to 125 F |
| Pre-Filter Replacement | Every Six to Nine Months |
Springwell Whole-House system is an ideal filter for large families with extensive water needs. This filter supplies up to 99% purified water without compromising the flow rate. No matter what the source of your water is, this filter can purify both well-water and municipal water supply.
The filter comes in three sizes, i.e., for 1-3 bathrooms, 3-6 bathrooms, and 7+ bathrooms. All these filters share the same capacity range; the only difference is in their flow rates. The filter requires no electricity and has very little discharge, implying that you can install it anywhere you want.
The Springwell whole-house filter requires pre-filter replacement every six to nine months. If your filter use is high, the pre-filter will need to be changed bi-yearly. Otherwise, the pre-filter media is built sturdily to survive up to nine months.
The best aspect about this filter is its lifetime warranty, which extends from eight to ten years. Many customers complain that it is not a pocket-friendly filter system. But considering its little to no maintenance requirement and life-long warranty, this filter is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to avoid frequent replacements and additional expenditures.
However, you must remember that this filter lacks mineralizing and bacteria-removing features. If you want both features included in your filter, you must purchase Springwell’s add-on UV system and water softener. The UV system kills off bacteria, whereas the water softener treats hard-water minerals. Though these add-ons might increase the overall price, they will surely boost the filter’s efficiency.
Pros And Cons
Pelican Whole-House Water Filters
Another famous brand that makes one of the best whole-house filter systems is the Pelican. Like Springwell, Pelican also offers a vast range of water filters designated for different purposes. Though Pelican filter company is less experienced than Springwell, they are also well-reputed because of their quality-wise optimal products.
Pelican has launched the ‘Pentair’ collection for whole-house water systems, which features different filters and their replacement parts. Since the Pelican’s Pentair collection is so extensive, it would be better to have a discrete analysis of their features.
- Filtration Method
The Pentair whole-house water systems operate on three essential steps featuring various mediums. The first stage initiates as soon as the water enters the filter tank. During this step, unfiltered water is flushed through a sediment pre-filter. The pre-filter removes dust particles, sand, and debris from the water. The pre-filtration process is done in the initial step so debris won’t clog the filter pores in the later stages.
The second step comprises a ‘Catalytic Granular Activated (GAC’ media. This medium is made with a high-grade blend of coconut shell-based particles of activated carbon compound. As stated earlier, carbon is an excellent compound for eliminating organic impurities from water. Therefore, like many brands, Pelican also uses carbon media in their filters to remove biotic contaminants, like herbicides, VOCs, and pesticides.
The last step features a ‘Copper and Zinc Oxidation Media,’ responsible for reducing the contamination of inorganic substances. The media explicitly targets zinc, copper, and chlorine compounds accountable for toxicity in unfiltered water. After this step, the remaining water is said to be purified and is channeled through pipes to the outlets.
- Pressure Quality
Pelican features a vast range of filter systems having different flow rates (GPM). However, for their Pelican whole-house filter products, the flow rate ranges up to 12GPM. Pelican offers only two whole-house filter sizes, i.e., one is for one-to-three bathrooms, and the other can be used in four-to-six bathrooms.
The flow rate of the smaller-sized filter is around 8 GPM. Whereas for the bigger filter, the flow rate extends up to 15GPM. Compared to the other filters in the market, the pressure quality of these Pelican whole-house water systems is not optimal enough.
These filters are suitable for places with a water supply with sufficient pressure. But if the backend pressure of the supply is poor, it is advised to skip these filters, as they aren’t the best in terms of pressure quality.
- Capacity and Warranty
As mentioned earlier, Pelican whole-house water systems come in two sizes; therefore, their capacities and warranty are also different. If you opt for the smaller filter (Model #PC600-P), its capacity will be 650,885 gallons. On the other hand, the capacity of the larger filter (Model #PC1000-P) is pretty extensive and ranges up to 1,301,770 gallons.
However, the warranty period of these two filter systems is the same. The media tank of both filters lasts up to five years or as long as their capacity runs out. After this period, you must change the filter because once the capacity is exceeded, the filter will no longer purify water and become useless.
- Installation and Maintenance
The best aspect about the Pelican whole-house water filters is their hassle-free and quick installation. These filters come pre-assembled, and with the help of the Pelican installation kit, you can easily install the water system. In fact, if you have DIY expertise, you can install the filter on your own.
These filter systems do not require electricity and produce zero water waste, implying that they are ideal for those who seek filters having minimum maintenance. The only maintenance you must do is to replace the pre-filter media every six to nine months.
Let’s review one of the Pelican Pentair whole-house filters, as it will help our readers understand these water systems more effectively.
Pentair Pelican PC1000-P Whole House System
| Capacity | 1,301,770 Gallons |
| Bathrooms | 4-6 |
| Flow Rate | 12 GPM |
| Operating Pressure | 25 to 80 PSI |
| Operating Temperatures | 36 to 125 F |
| Pre-Filter Replacement | Every Six to Nine Months |
Pentair PC-1000P is the biggest whole-house water filter from the Pelican range and can be used in four to six bathrooms. It has a pretty extensive capacity that extends to 1,301,770 gallons, implying that this filter is perfect for long-term use. Regarding its manufacturing, the media is made of stainless steel and is lined inside with protective material that preserves the filter’s longevity.
This filter is best suited for treating hard water impurities, chlorine, and other organic compounds common in the municipal water supply. Owing to its three extensive filtration stages, the purification rate of the filtered water is around 90%. However, carbonated water cannot be purified using this filter. For that purpose, you will need to purchase Pelican’s whole-house carbon filter that features fiberglass media.
The best aspect of this filter is that it requires very little maintenance. All you have to do to keep this filter functional is to change it pre-filter after six to nine months. Other than that, this filter will prove useful for long-term use until its capacity runs out.
Similarly, installing this filter isn’t complicated, and with the help of the user manual, you can set it up on your own. However, like other Pelican products, the flow rate of this filter might be unsuitable for places that receive a water supply of low backend pressure. But if you don’t have any pressure issues at your place, this filter is utterly suitable.
Like Springwell, this filter system does not treat hard water or remove bacterial particles. If your water supply has bacterial or mineral-contaminated issues, you must use an add-on water softener and a UV system with the Pelican whole-house water system.
Pros And Cons
- Springwell vs Pelican: Filtration Quality
Springwell filters utilize four extensive filtration steps to purify water, whereas the Pelican water systems only feature three stages. The filter with more stages has better filtration quality because the purification margin increases, which minimizes the contamination ratio.
The Springwell water systems provide up to 99% purification, but for Pelican filters, the filtration ratio only exceeds 90%. Both filters target chlorine and organic compound removal, making them best suited for treating municipal water supply.
However, you must remember that neither of these brands offers built-in water softeners and UV purifiers. Water softeners treat hard water impurities, whereas UV media kills parasites and bacteria in water. Therefore, if the water supply of your place is heavily contaminated, you may need to purchase UV and water softener add-ons with these filters.
- Springwell vs Pelican: Capacity
A viable whole-house filter is one that has an extensive capacity and can last for a longer duration. Regarding capacity, the Springwell and Pelican whole-house filters are on the same par, as they both offer a generous capacity of up to one million gallons.
Having a larger capacity means that these filters won’t require frequent media replacement and are suitable for long-term use. Moreover, it has been noted that the flow rate of high-capacity filters is better than those with minimal range.
- Springwell vs Pelican: Flow Rate
When it comes to the flow rate, Springwell water filters emerge as the clear winner. The largest Springwell whole-house filter has a flow rate of around 20 GPM. In comparison, the biggest Pelican filter offers a flow rate of only 12 GPM.
Manu places receive water with low backend pressure, ultimately affecting the flow quality. If you also face such a problem, opting for the Springwell filters is recommended as they can effectively uplift the poor backend pressure and provide filtered water supply at an optimal flow rate.
- Springwell vs Pelican: Maintenance and Warranty
Regarding maintenance, Springwell and Pelican filters are quite the same. They do not require electricity and have minimum water drainage, which increases their accessibility and makes their usage easy. The only maintenance required is the sediment pre-filter replacement, which must be done after six to nine months.
However, the difference exists in the warranty period of the two filter brands. Pelican water filters can easily last up to five years, after which they lose their efficiency. On the other hand, the Springwell whole-house systems have a warranty period of about eight to ten months.
When it comes to the product’s longevity, Springwell water filters are undoubtedly the better choice. Moreover, fewer functional complaints have been reported for Springwell filters than Pelican systems, implying that the market reputation of the former is better than the latter one.
- Springwell vs Pelican: Purchase and Replacement Costs
Springwell’s filtration features and brand reputation are far more comprehensive than Pelican’s. Thus, it is no surprise that Springwell whole-house water systems are more expensive than Pelican Pentair filters.
Pelican filters have been created as a budget-friendly option for whole-house water systems. Whereas Springwell aims at investing maximum functionality and efficiency in their products. The price difference between Springwell and Pelican filters is much vast. This implies that you must consider your budget while choosing between the two brands.
Final Verdict: Springwell vs pelican
When it comes to quality and functionality, Springwell whole-house water filters are undoubtedly better than Pelican. Not only their filtration and pressure quality is more superior, but their lifetime warranty of eight to ten years makes them so lucrative. Though these filters are more expensive than average brands like Pelican, their optimal quality and efficiency make them a one-time investment. Purchasing a Springwell filter saves you from frequent repairs and replacement costs. However, for those who are short on budget, Pelican Pentair systems seem to be the perfect alternative for Springwell water systems.
FAQs: springwell vs pelican
- Do Pelican water filters require carbon media replacement?
No, Pelican Pentair whole-house water filters do not require carbon media changing. The only replacement you must do is of the pre-filter after six to nine months.
- Does the Springwell filter require electricity?
Springwell water systems are low-maintenance filters and operate without electricity.