Under sink filters work for cold water, but do they work for hot water too, like I know it seems kinda straightforward, but I struggled to find an answer.
So I thought it would be good to share.
There are many things that an under sink water filter is capable of eliminating from your water.
Truly, what these devices are able to do in providing you with fresh water is quite astounding. But, since they hook up to your cold water line, you might wonder what happens with hot water.
Are Under Sink Filters for Hot Water Too? No, standard under sink water filters connect to your cold water line with a T-valve, saddle valve, or directly to the hose. Using hot water in an under sink water filter can diminish the filtration capacity and cause damage to your system.
While this can be seemingly disappointing, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy hot filtered water, even if the under sink water filter is not designed to withstand higher water temperatures.
There are obviously methods of heating water that has already been filtered that would require a bit of maneuvering.
However, fortunately for you, there are easier ways to have hot filtered water. Let’s take a closer look.
How Do Under Sink Water Filters Work?
Before we can take a closer look at how to get hot water using your under sink water filter, it is important to understand the basics of how an under sink water filter can work.
Along with this, while there are many different models of under sink water filters, they all follow relatively standard methods to provide you with the perfect water filtration system setup in your home.
Of course, the various types of designs and technology that they use will shift from one filtration system to the next, but they typically work following the same general concept.
So, how do under sink water filters work? First, it is connected to your cold water line, either through a T-Valve, saddle valve, or a direct connection to the hose. The water runs through the pipe, enters the water filter, and is pushed through various stages of filtration.
Then, it is reserved in a tank or spouted immediately through the faucet.
Depending on the model that you use, there will be a different number of filtration stages that are most typically associated with the number of filters that the water will have to pass through before being made available for consumption.
While some under sink water filters (one of my fav brands )directly connect to your pre-existing faucet, others (and the majority) will require the installation of a faucet that they come with. This should not be too difficult to install, as most sinks will already have a hole that this can pop through.
But, it is important to note that you might have to place another faucet next to the one that already sits in your sink.
Of course, one of the main points to note here is that the under sink water filter is to be connected to your cold water line.
This supply of water will run seamlessly through your water filter without causing any damage, and your resulting water will be filtered just as the filtration system description said that it would be.
Can You Get Hot Water from an Under Sink Water Filter?
So, you have got your cold water streaming from the under sink water filter as it is connected to the cold water line. If your under sink water filter has a tank, then you can expect this water to sit cold to room temperature as well.
But, what happens if you are looking for filtered water that is also hot?
Can you get hot water from an under sink water filter? Yes, there are ways to get hot water that is also filtered, but it will have come from an exterior connection source such as an instant hot water heater (link to Amazon) or another device. You can also fill a large basin of filtered water and heat it over a stove or another source, but this method is not often preferred.
After all, most of the time, when you are looking to use hot water that is coming from your sink, you are hoping for an instantaneously hot supply rather than having to use a second step to make the water hot in the first place.
For example, if you are washing your dishes in the kitchen sink, you likely want to use your filtered water supply, but you will need this supply to be hot in order to clean the dishes sanitarily. So, how do you make this happen?
You can use a large supply of the cool to cold water that comes from the under sink water filter and heat it over a stovetop or another source.
But, since this method requires an additional step to reaping the benefits of the filtered water, it can be quite discouraging for many users.
After all, washing the dishes is not a chore that many people enjoy doing, and it will be much less desirable if you have to take this additional step to make it happen.
With that said, one of the best ways to get hot water from an under sink water filter (so that your water is both filtered and instantaneously hot) is to use an instant hot water heater.
This can be connected directly to your water line or to the water filter (depending on the model) so that the faucet can deliver hot or cold water.
This type of machine often requires some type of power source, so you will want to pay attention to the installation requirements.
But, since it is able to provide you with hot water that has also been filtered, it is a game changer. Without this type of device, you are limited to the cool or cold water that comes from your under sink water filter.
Why Can’t You Connect Your Under Sink Water Filter to the Hot Water Line?
As you begin to more concretely explore your options for receiving a hot water supply that has also been run through your under sink water filter, you might grow frustrated (or even just curious) about not being able to use the hot water line as a connection instead.
After all, water is water, right? Wrong.
So, why can’t you connect your under sink water filter to the hot water line? Under sink water filters are designed to be connected to the cold water line.
Various reactions and filtration processes that are achieved in the water filtration system require a cooler temperature. Hot temperatures, like that from the hot water line, can ruin the filtration process and the system components.
Just because the water has the same type of contaminants and will require the same filtration process does not mean that water can be run through your under sink water filter at any system.
Many under sink water filters even come with maximum temperatures that they can be used with.
However, it is important to remember that this is the temperature maximum, not the temperature recommended for standard use. Instead, you will likely find that the temperature for standard use is much lower.
As you review how the under sink water filters are connected and work, you can understand this a bit more clearly. The filtered water is to pass through various stages of filtration.
Since some filters use an ion exchange, a carbon filter, or another type of filtration, these can be influenced by the temperature of the water. If they are so influenced, then you could run the risk of the water not being entirely filtered as you would otherwise expect.
Finally, you also have to consider the materials that the under sink water filter is made from. While most can withstand hot temperatures on their plastic components and other connection devices, the filters themselves can become damaged at high temperatures.
So, if you feel like running the risk of damaging the filters and destroying how the system works, then sure, go ahead and try it with hot water.
However, if you prefer to take good care of your under sink water filter system, then avoid using it with hot water. Instead, seek to install an instant hot water heater or another device that can provide you with the hot and filtered water that you seek.