Nova water filter system
 

About 3 years ago we purchased the Nova Water Whole House Filter System and are not pleased with the results. I believe we were sold a bill of goods that were not true. When we read the promo it indicated we would have to change filters ONCE a year at a cost of $125. After the system was installed only then did we find out that the filters needed to be changed after 28,000 gals of water was used. We use about 3200 gals a month ( Water Wisdom on the VCDD site says normal is 2700 per month but back a few years ago it said 3700 was average for all style of homes in TV, I have it documented) which put us at changing filters every 9 months. All water for washing the house,the car, cleaning the driveway, watering plants all go through the filter system. The taste of the water from the system is not good even with a few drops of lemon added. We still buy bottled water. Does anyone know how we can take the system out and have the water reverted back to the original system? Any ideas would be appreciated.

I think you can just close the valve or valves that go to the filters and open the bypass valve. I would leave the filters in place until you are sure you want to remove the system.

We have had NOVA in both our homes in The Villages, I have found that we really only need to change the filters about every 2 years. Last time I had them replaced, the old filters still looked almost brand new. Suggestions that they need to be changed after 28,000 gallons is just that, a suggestion.

Another good suggestion I will consider Thanks

I don't know about Nova filters, but have you tried to buy replacement filters on Amazon and install them yourself? Amazon sells just about everything for less money.

Nova
 

Not with our filters they looked like they did their job. Glad you like your Nova system but we are not HAPPY. Will somehow find a way to eliminate it. I do like the idea of taking out the filters and let the water contnue to run through the containers.

We change ours yearly, don't really watch how many gallons were used. Our system is now 5 years old and the filters were always still pretty clean until this last change where they were pretty dirty. I guess it depends on where you live and where the water is coming from, a lot of people down here over the years complained about dirt in their water, these were people without filters so there is a lot of dirty water in certain sections, I personally think that was from the way the pipes were put out in the dirt waiting for installation. Also, we noticed a huge change in the taste of the water but we included the softener when we bought our Nova system, they did not try to talk us into the softener, just the opposite, we were told most people get away without it. We use Potassium pellets, the water tastes great, we eliminated the fridge filter, no hard water spots, no calcium buildup around the faucets or anywhere else, and the water is definitely softer, not slimy feeling like it is with the sodium pellets, just a clean soft feeling. We did have one problem with the system at the 5 year mark, something broke, I don't remember what it was but it was repaired quickly and reasonably. I would highly recommend the Nova system.

There should be a way to bypass the system by just adjusting a few plastic valves. Most filter systems I have seen allow bypassng. Then, you could sell the old system.

Filters are well, filters. What gives our water hardness and a certain taste is calcium. The calcium is an ion attached to H2O. Filters can not filter out ions.

To remove the ions you need an ion exchange system, aka a water softener. It doesn't matter which brand that you choose. As ALL ion exchangers use the same process. There is no changing the physics/chemistry of removing the calcium ions.

Now filters do catch some particulates and you may notice that in the taste. Mainly, though, you'll feel good about having a filter. Psychologically that can make a huge difference to many people. But you don't get a new version of chemistry just because you have a filter, you need an ion exchanger. Sorry to sprinkle some reality to the owners of filtration systems

You just need to hire a plumber to redo the plumbing and install a new shut-off valve. It's no big deal, as its just 1/2" CPVC.

I had the NOVA system installed and am happy with it. The first time we had the filters changed (at the 28,000 mark) the tech said we could go more than that between changes, which is what we now do.

And unless NOVA has changed their install method, there is no bypass. Once you close the shut-off valve, it stops all water flow to the home.

In full disclosure, I didn't mind the taste of our tap water to begin with, and I'd be lying if I said I can tell a huge difference now. We added the three-stage filter for other reasons (aside from the taste of the water).

Any idea of the part numbers for the filters on Amazon. Even some description on the filters needed

I really don't know much about the Nova system. But, here's a link to a 6-pack of universal 5 micron filters, 20 inch × 4.5 inch, for about $108. They have excellent ratings on Amazon. Good luck.

Amazon.com

The Nova website recommends 26,000 gallon change or once a year which ever occurs first, this is based on sending samples at different levels of water thru-put to lab.

Looking at the filters it is not possible with the naked eye to see 10 micron particles or less, so they may look clean but I can assure you they are NOT.

To the OP you were informed (with a printed instruction sheet) at the time of installation when we recommended to change the filters.

"watering plants all go through the filter system", not correct irrigation water does not go thru the filters.

Sorry for any miss understanding.


As to buying filter replacements online, no one has these same filters they are made to our specs.
Moreover, we sell the set for $85.

These are incorrect (not the same)

Moreover, they are $18 each for the wrong filters ours are $20

Supporting a local biz and village residents

.....

It's probably best I work around the NOVA socalled filter system. NOT HAPPY we spent $600 for NOTHING.

GREAT REVIEWS for Pelican, thanks for posting!!!!!

3,000 reivews.
88% of the reviews are Great or Excellent.

Looking at reviews below Great......a lot are unrelated to the Pelican product like: Tariffs, self-insulation, purchased the wrong product.

88%.....................outstanding.

:a040::a040:

How do you introduce Potassium tablets into the system, how much, and where do you get them?

Toymeister,
You are correct about softeners using ion exchange top reduce hardness ions such as calcium and magnesium. However, let me add some more information.

The filter systems such as Nova and others e. g. refrigerator water filters also include an activated carbon filter which can absorb organic contaminants and dissolved ions such as chlorine and chloramines which reduces the smell and bad taste in municipal water.

You can also add a reverse osmosis system to further treat potable water. We added a reverse osmosis system from NOVA that replaces our refrigerator filters. RO removes about 60 to 70 % of the dissolved ions in the water which reduces the hardness. Reverse osmosis is a water purification process that uses a partially permeable membrane to separate ions, unwanted molecules, and larger particles from drinking water. I did it as a precaution to reduce any pollutants that may be in the raw water from Chemical Plant Discharge or other sources that may reach our raw water source. In NC, reverse osmosis is being added to their treatment systems to remove PFAS chemical contamination from river water source caused by a Chemours Plant (Dupont spinoff) into the Cape Fear River and eventually into our drinking water at our previous home.

The combination of extensive filtration including activated carbon filters plus reverse osmosis to reduce dissolved ions is precisely what the bottled water companies use to produce their product.

Hopefully, my 60 yr old chemistry learning makes sense to you.

I like my NOVA filter. I live south of 44 and after 25000 gallons the taste changes; when they come and change the filter there is a lot of gunk in there that I am glad I didn't drink. I was a chemistry major in college and I understand the science about ion exchange vs filtration, but am very happy to have better tasting water and great service from NOVA.

I agree that it is not worth it to save two dollars.

I did stop buying the $50 Whirlpool refrigerator filters. The generic ones on Amazon cost less than a third of the cost.

I would stand on my head and spit chicklets to keep my NOVA system. The filter has changed our lives water-wise. Our clothes are cleaner, my wife is happier and the filters are a wreck when we get them changed every February Or March. They are a fantastic company to deal with in all aspects of the operation. They sent a technician to our home at an ungodly hour of the morning when a Golf Cart thief who was running through many backyards drove the stolen cart through many back yards and ran into our Nova Filter Shack on the back of our Manufactured Home. The guy was here in a half hour at 4 AM. Had us fixed up in no time at all. Water is great and so are they. As long as I'm alive it's NOVA baby. No more humping 20 cases of water into the house every month. They are the best and they are not my family.

How does your water taste, we closed on our home had the nova whole house system installed the next day and 2 days later we were back in Michigan won’t be moving down till end of 2023 I drink tons of water and I’m used to Michigan water which is really great I pray we aren’t disappointed ������

When we had ours installed we had them add a bypass that way when you are washing your car or using water outside it doesn’t go through the filter. The filter works the same way as the ones in your refrigerator as far as flavor goes activated carbon.

The outdoor spikets are not irrigation water but household water. I go about 18 months before replacing and am thinking of a water softener now too. I have been happy with NOVA.

We have had Nova for about 4 years now, only issue was a month ago we were standing in the garage thankfully and herd a loud pop. One of the blue tubes that hold the filters split and water was gushing everywhere, used the shut off valve to cut off water and stop the leaking. Called Nova after hours service, they sent someone the next morning to replace the tube and change the filters (great service in my opinion). Service tech said he had only see 1 other instance of the tube splitting. Could of been a disaster if we were not home.

Your kidding me - you were sold a bill of goods here in TV!! Tell me it ain’t so!! And you want advice from this site!!! YEEKES

6 months after installation, I am still happy with my Nova filtration. It made a big difference in the amount of spotting on shower fixtures, and improving the taste of the water. I ceased drinking bottles water after we had it installed.

In terms of how often the filters would have to be replaced, and what it would cost, this information was clearly available before installation.

Correct Filters?
 

Clearly, something is wrong if you have a three-stage filter system and still have house water which tastes bad and/or smells.

Are you certain you are using the correct filters and they are placed in the correct order--white sediment filter first in line and black activated charcoal filter last in line?

When I last replaced the filter cartridges in our Ispring 2-filter system from Home Depot, I tried to save a few dollars and bought a different brand also sold by Home Depot. The results were horrible, with the chlorine smell having returned. That smell was the main reason I installed the filters in the first place.

I replaced the off-brand cartridges with genuine Ispring ones and solved the problem. I have no idea why the off-brand cartridges didn't work; they just didn't.

Have Nova make a housecall. If you have an activated charcoal filter in place, you should not have these complaints. If worse comes to worse, you could add a second charcoal filter in place of the "metals" filter installed by Nova. That filter, the middle of the three, is not really needed and is more of a "sales tool" to scare buyers into buying the three filter system.

Finally, although it will not affect the smell or taste of your house water, you should have a softner installed after the filters in order to enjoy the full benefits of the filters. It is the softner which improves the "feel" of the water and prevents "hardness". The result is softer skin, no water spots on glasses and dishes, cleaner clothes, and no soap scum on the tub or the walls of the shower.

Before I purchased from Nova I researched many of the filtration systems/vendors in The Villages. The three stage filter system of the nova filter is far superior in removing unwanted contaminates
My system cost $575 installed, whereas the competition wanted so much more for what appeared to be an inferior system
I have had no issues in five years of use and my water tastes great
I change the filters myself for $90 and consider it a small price to pay for “cleaner” water

I agree about the chemistry
I wish I could post pictures of the visible debris in my filters
A heavy orange color almost like sand

What is the cost of a pelican system?

We started with the Nova filtration system. Had it for years. Changed filter 1x a year. Liked it & then added the potassium water softener. Turn the valve off when power washing & car washing. Easy peasy. Great service. Great price. Recommend it

These are the ones I’ve used, but I don’t think they save you money over getting them from Nova. You also need a wrench. Get a metal one instead of a plastic one.

The worst part about changing filters is flushing the pipes. I run my laundry sink and outside faucet before using any other faucets and it seems to work well.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

Agree with Cupcake57, we had 1 whole house filter at our other home using well water which was fine but it should of been staged like the NOVA system , I inspected each of the 3 staged filters that Nova installed. Works extremely well, no odor and great taste . We tried the water on closing day without any filters installed, and the water did need a little help. Our home is also South of 44, maybe this is a factor.

Water filters
 

If you are unhappy with filtered water what makes you think you will like unfiltered water? You do know there are different filter elements you can install depending on what you are trying to remove from the water. Do a little research and perhaps try a different filter assortment.

Nova Filtration System
 

I have the 3 stage Nova system— softener, filter and reverse osmosis. Water, especially from the RO dispenser is the best water I’ve ever tasted. Filter will be changed after first six month due to ongoing new house construction. Excellent installation, results and service from Nova. I highly recommend them!

I have the Nova system and love it. It was installed about 18 months ago and filters still show good.

Nova
 

Couple thing to use as rule of thumb. Number of months has nothing to do with the cartridges. It is load that determines replacement.
When volume drops then sediment cartridge needs to be changed.
Carbon is like a sponge that you can’t wring out or backwash. Once it is full, the odor returns. Then replace it.
All these experts giving advice do not read. I sold this and water softeners for years in NH. Because of the hardness here, I prefer a water softener because a filter will not fix that.
Dirt and rust = filter
Odor = carbon filter.

To keep your water tasting and smelling great consider installing the GE Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System. This water filter is installed under your sink for a discreet appearance and filters up to 11 Gal. of water daily. The reverse osmosis membrane helps reduce microscopic contaminants such as arsenic, lead and ammonia, for better tasting water for drinking and cooking. The filter indicator reminds you when to replace the filter.
Triple-stage filtration - Our triple-stage filtration process reduces 95 impurities from your drinking water, including lead
Lead removal - Lead is invisible, tasteless and odorless when present in water. Reduce lead with this under-sink filtration system
Design and function - Our filtration faucet is as functional as it is stylish, with a filter change indicator to alert you when it's time to change your filter
Big results, small footprint - Get the best in filtration without sacrificing your space. Our reverse osmosis system is easy to install under the sink
NSF/ANSI certified - Certified to meet the highest quality control standards. Full details found on the performance data sheet
Premium filtration - Maintain premium filtration levels with replacement filters FQ18PN and FQ18MN
Easy-change filter -Change filters in a snap with zero mess, thanks to the twist/lock design
Easy install - With push-to-connect fittings, you can install your system in no time
recommend by mater plumber THD