The VIQUA VH410 UltraViolet Water Disinfection System neutralizes and kills harmful waterborne microbes.
It’s the best water filter if you suspect that the water coming into your home contains bacteria and cysts such as Giardia, Salmonella and E. Coli.
Standard sediment and activated carbon water filters only remove large particles and certain chemicals from water. Microorganisms go right through these filters.
But most do not survive exposure to UV radiation. The VH410 filter neutralizes the microbes by targeting their DNA, which either disables their ability to reproduce or kills them.
You can install the VH410 on its own or as part of a whole house filtration system. It’s easy to install and takes up very little space thanks to its compact design.
If you are looking for a sediment or carbon whole house filter to remove chlorine and other impurities, see our top recommendations in this in-depth whole house water filter buying guide.
Pros
Cons
Product Specifications
Specifications
Water Filter Performance
UV water filtration is one of the most effective ways of neutralizing illness-causing microorganisms.
Even if you get city water that has already been disinfected using chlorine, you could still benefit from a UV filter.
The VH410 targets chlorine-resistant bacteria such as Sphingomonas TS001, Giardia and Cryptosporidium.
If you receive well water, there's an even greater need to install a UV filter. There are high chances that your water contains a variety of harmful microbes.
If you want to check whether the VH410 UV filter really works, send your water to the lab after installing it. They'll test for the presence of common microbes.
You can also test the water before you install the filter and compare it to the treated water.
Some customers had their water tested, and they got a clean bill of health.
How UV Disinfection Works
The Viqua VH410 produces what is known as germicidal UV. This consists of short UV wavelengths that target a microorganism's DNA.
The UV radiation causes the bacteria DNA to mutate such that the microorganism cannot reproduce or it dies. In other cases, UV breaks down the DNA bonds, instantly killing or disabling the microorganismConsistently High UV Output
For UV disinfection to be effective, it is important that the bacteria be exposed to a high dose of UV radiation for a certain length of time.
The VH410 UV filter provides a consistently high output of UV radiation even during power fluctuations.
Installation & Maintenance
The VH410 is designed for easy DIY installation. Unless you a very busy schedule, there is no need to hire a plumber.
Remember these points before you start the installation procedure:
The package includes the UV lamp, the filter housing, and a bracket to secure it to the wall. But you'll have to buy threaded fittings yourself to connect your plumbing to the inlet and outlet ports.
The ports accept both 1” and 3/4" MNPT connectors. 1” is for the outer threading and 3/4" is for the inner threading.
Once you install the filter, open the water supply and check for leaks.
Maintenance
Note: Remember to switch off water and power before doing any maintenance on the system.
The VH410 UV filter system doesn’t require much in terms of maintenance.
After every few months (about 3), you need to remove and clean the quartz sleeve. This is especially important if you receive hard water, which gradually accumulates scale on the sleeve.
When the quartz sleeve is dirty, it reduces the effectiveness of water purification.
Check the manual for complete instructions on how to remove and clean or replace the quartz sleeve.
To increase the lifespan of the entire system, consider installing a water softener in addition to a water filter.
The bulb also needs to be replaced after about a year or 9,000 hours of operation.
Replacing the lamp takes just a few minutes. Make sure you buy a genuine VH410 replacement bulb.
In case you forget when you are supposed to replace the bulb, there is a handy countdown timer on the digital display.
An alarm will go off once the bulb reaches the end of its lifespan. You’ll also get an alert if the bulb fails for some reason.
This ensures you are not drinking untreated water without knowing.What We Like The Most About The Viqua VH410 UV Water Disinfection System
We love the easy setup process. Unlike most whole house water filters that take 3-5 hours to install, it only takes 1-2 hours to set up the VH410.
The compact size definitely helps make installation less tedious.
We are also big fans of low-maintenance systems that don't require calling a plumber every time you need to replace something.
The VH410 filter is a breeze to maintain. Just clean the sleeve every three months and replace the bulb every year, both of which are easy to do.
Something else we love is the high flow rate. At 18 gallons per minutes, you'll not notice any drop in pressure from your shower or faucets.
What We Don’t Like About The Viqua VH410 UV Water Disinfection System
It is positioned as a high-end product, despite the fact that it is a single-stage water filtration system. It costs about the same as large 2 and 3-stage whole house filters.
When you add the cost of yearly replacement bulbs, the overall cost goes up even further.
But it's worth it.
The VH410 gives you peace of mind knowing that your water is safe from disease-causing microbes.
The Viqua VH410 Is Perfect For You If...
Avoid Buying This One If…
Our Bottom Line
Reverse Osmosis systems are the best for removing bacteria and viruses from water. But they are expensive, and you can only install an RO filter for one faucet only.
That's not to mention how much they slow down water flow.
A whole house UV filter is a cheaper and more convenient alternative for the entire house. You can effectively disinfect your water at the point of entry without slowing it down.
Even if you already have a whole house water filtration system, I highly recommend you add the VH410 UV filter.
It will provide complete protection to keep your family safe and healthy.
