[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by shirart

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.

Sorry to hear this.

We have a nova system also. We normally have good-tasting water. But, I have found every month or two for a couple of hours we have a noticeable chlorine smell/taste.

It only happens occasionally and only for a short amount of time.

In looking into it, and discussing it with NOVA the conclusion I came to is that periodically the water company purges the system with a higher than normal level of chlorine which is too high a concentration for the filter to remove.

The filter is rated to remove some level of chlorine per gallon, if it exceeds that level some will get through. A solution would be to be an additional (4th) filter inline after the 3 you have that is for removing chlorine (assuming the bad smell/taste you are experiencing is chlorine.)

We moved here from a country location where we had a well. We were "downstream" from some industrial areas, and decided to put in a whole house filter on our well and we used the same types of filters NOVA uses. I did it myself so I did a lot of research and spoke with the University of Florida agricultural people (who we had tested our water) and they recommend the system.

[Carlsondm]

You can buy the wrench from Nova to change the filters. Cartridge filters are on Amazon and other places. Cuts the cost of changing filters in half. Use an under sink filter or Pur, Brita, etc pitcher filter for drinking water in the refrigerator if the taste bothers you. That offers another level of filtration for just drinking water. That is what we do.

The water stunk when we moved in. Nova removed that problem. We change filters when needed.

Cartridges are quite heavy wet, so be ready to lift weights if you do it yourself. There is a bypass.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by Carlsondm

You can buy the wrench from Nova to change the filters. Cartridge filters are on Amazon and other places. Cuts the cost of changing filters in half. Use an under sink filter or Pur, Brita, etc pitcher filter for drinking water in the refrigerator if the taste bothers you. That offers another level of filtration for just drinking water. That is what we do.

The water stunk when we moved in. Nova removed that problem. We change filters when needed.

Cartridges are quite heavy wet, so be ready to lift weights if you do it yourself. There is a bypass.

So NOVA is adding a bypass nowadays?

[Carlsondm]

Originally Posted by photo1902

So NOVA is adding a bypass nowadays?

You need to install your own bypass.

[TCRSO]

We have Nova filters in our home and two rental properties and have had no issues. We change the filters once a year. We were advised that if you are in a new area (such as St Johns) which is still under development, the filters may need to be changed within 6 months since all of the pipes are new and may contain sediment.

[TedfromGA]

We have Nova and there potassium water softer plus a RO system for the refrigator. Change the filters every year. We installed Nova's system when we moved into the Villages almost 4 years ago. Our water is tasteless and smell less, no calcum deposites and clear ice cubes. There must be something wrong with your Nova system as too many people have had good experiences with it.

[Ptmckiou]

We have a NOVA system for 6 months, south of 44. It has removed the chlorine smell it had and now tastes great. However, I’m puzzled why one would buy bottled water ($$$), rather than using a great $50 filter cartridge in their refrigerator that will completely cleanup your drinking water. Prior to installing NOVA, we always used the filtered water from our refrigerator and the “change filter” light came on about once every 3 months because of high use.

We were told by our pool company that under no circumstance use water that has been softened in your pool (all outdoor faucets go through your house filter system). Softened water will deteriorate components of your pool, so you’ll need to bypass the softener when filling.

[EatthMama]

Originally Posted by shirart

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.

Years ago I did a lot of research on whole house filtration systems for a book I was writing. I settled on the 1 million gallon Aquasana Rino for my home in ATL. I bought the 600,000 gallon system for my courtyard villa here, but had to have a plumber from outside TV to install.
There are 4 components to it. Only the pre filter and post filters need to be changed, and I do it myself. Aquasana will send filters on an auto schedule if you want it. I was getting backed up with too many filters, so had to have to have them stop doing this for awhile. The other 2 components are guaranteed for 600,000 gallons, which should last over 50 years according to my water usage.
No salta to add, and the water tastes great.
Good luck whatever you decide😊

[jimkerr]

Originally Posted by shirart

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've had several water systems in other homes we've owned in Florida. I've found Nova Filters to be excellent. The water finally tastes good out of any faucet. The recommendation to change yours at 28,000 gallons is just that. A recommendation.

The way you word your post is that Nova is somehow being unethical which is furthest from the truth. I've found them to be extremely honest. Try to find the prices of water treatment systems on their competitors websites. You wont be able to because these companies will try to milk each customer for as much as they possibly can.

I ripped out the crappy Pelican water softener that was in my house and couldn't be happier with my Nova system.

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by shirart

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.

Must be something not working with ours because they get SO DIRTY that I have to change them once a year!

Usage is like gas MPG, there are likely hundreds of variables that might require them to be changed more or less often. I change mine myself every Jan. Cost me about $95 direct from Nova. Only reason I don't let them do it is I HATE WAITING FOR ANY SERVICE TO SHOW UP! I have received different brands both from Nova and from 3rd party sources (Nova was actually a few cents cheaper than other places) as long at they were the right "microns" (although the last ones from Nova had a smaller "micron" for one of the filters).

There is one poster here who once claimed "Nova water tastes like crap" and frankly I'd bet a McDonalds Happy Meal he couldn't tell the difference on a true blind taste test between Nova or his or any other fave brand with water taken from the same faucet.

EDITED TO ADD DISCLAIMER: Changing the filters is "easy" but they do get quite heavy when wet and depending on how low it is mounted and ones physical condition it might be easier to have it done by them (or someone).

Attached are the last 2 years change so you can see how they work.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Travelhunter123

What is the cost of a pelican system?

Posted on their website.

[joelfmi]

If you don't want the help of a Master plumber, then why bother asking for help

[lawgolfer]

Originally Posted by shirart

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.

Two final thoughts:

1. Is there a "bypass" line on the filter system? If so, could you have, inadvertently, turned the valves in the wrong order? If so, you might not be using the filter system and are running "raw" water in your house.

2. Buy two new activated charcoal filters. Install them in place of the second and third filters in the Nova system. The first filter (white color) is to remove sand and sediment and is needed. The second filter is to remove metals (primarily lead), and is not needed in The Villages. The third filter in the Nova system is activated charcoal.

With two charcoal filters in your system, and the certainty that the bypass valves are correctly positioned, it is hard to believe that you will experience a foul smell or taste in the household water.

[Ken D.]

Please note Pelican was recently acquired by Pentair, an international company. You can expect some changes there.

Originally Posted by dewilson58

You are not the only one with issues with Nova.
Not sure how it was installed, but there should be bypass values on it.

If not, might be able to remove the actual filters and just let the water flow thru the canisters.

If you are going to re-invest in a whole house system.....I love our Pelican.
They have a good website and is a national company (unlike some locals).


Good Luck.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by Carlsondm

You need to install your own bypass.

No thanks. I have no need for one and was just curious if they are adding them on installs nowadays.