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Ultrefina UPF-S20: 20-Inch Premium Whole House Filter System

Industrial-grade stainless steel prefiltration system that protects your entire home with high-flow protection, low maintenance and unmatched durability.

  • Remove sediments and impurities before reaching every tap

  • Food-grade Stainless Steel construction and reusable life-time cartridge

  • High-Flow, Heavy-Duty protection to plumbing fixtures and appliances

The UPF-S20 is a high-capacity whole house water filtration system designed to remove sediment, sand, rust, dirt, and other suspended particles before they enter your home's plumbing. Installed at the point where water enters the house, it helps improve water clarity while protecting plumbing fixtures, appliances, water softeners, and other water treatment equipment.

Product Overview

What is UPF-S20?

The UPF-S20 is a whole house sediment filtration system that provides cleaner water throughout your home. It helps remove suspended particles from the incoming water supply while protecting plumbing, appliances, and downstream filtration systems.

Who is it for?

The UPF-S20 is designed for homeowners who want to reduce sediment, sand, rust, and particulate matter in their water supply. It is ideal for municipal and well water applications where plumbing and equipment protection are important.

What problems does it solve?

The UPF-S20 helps solve common water quality issues caused by sediment, dirt, rust, sand, and suspended particles. It also helps prevent premature wear, clogging, and buildup in plumbing fixtures, water heaters, water softeners, and other household appliances.

What does it reduce/remove?

The UPF-S20 reduces sediment, sand, rust particles, dirt, silt, and other suspended solids commonly found in water supplies. This helps improve water clarity and reduces the amount of particulate matter entering household plumbing systems.

What are the key benefits?

• Cleaner water throughout the home

• Reduces sediment and particulate contamination

• Helps protect plumbing and fixtures

• Extends the life of household appliances

• Protects water softeners and reverse osmosis systems

• Improves water clarity

• High-flow performance for whole-home applications

• Simple and cost-effective maintenance

What are the key features?

• High-capacity 20-inch filtration system

• Premium sediment filtration cartridge

• Heavy-duty filter housing

• High-flow design for residential applications

• Effective removal of sediment and suspended solids

• Suitable for municipal and well water systems

• Easy cartridge replacement

• Compatible with water softeners and other filtration equipment

Why choose it?

The UPF-S20 provides reliable whole-home sediment filtration and helps protect valuable plumbing and water treatment equipment from dirt, rust, sand, and suspended particles. Its high-capacity design, durable construction, and simple maintenance make it an effective first stage of water treatment for many homes.

Key Features

Built for homeowners who demand reliable, long-term protection for their plumbing and water treatment equipment, the UPF-S20 combines industrial-grade durability with high-capacity filtration performance. From its premium stainless steel construction and food-grade filtration mesh to its lifetime-cleanable design and versatile installation options, every feature is engineered to deliver cleaner water, lower maintenance costs, and dependable operation year after year. Explore the key highlights below to discover what makes the UPF-S20 one of our most popular whole-home pre-filtration solutions.

1. Robust Stainless Steel Build

Constructed from premium 304 and 316 stainless steel, UPF-S20 offers long-lasting strength and resilience, standing the test of time.

UPF-S20 prefilter

2. Food-Grade Filtration Mesh

Utilizes a 316 food-grade stainless steel mesh for health friendly filtration and top-notch 40-um filtration precision.

UPF-S20 filter mesh cut open showing layers

3. Efficient Impurities Removal

Effectively removes silt, sand, rust, worms, cysts, and other large particulates, keeping your water clean and safe.

Filtration Rating (Micron Rating)  40 micon

UPF-S20 feature illustration

4. Cost-Effective Low Maintenance

Filter cartridges provide lifetime performance with no replacement necessary, saving you money and hassle over the long run. Easily rinse and clean the filter by turning on the bottom valve to flush all dirt off.

Clamp for Easy Maintenance if Needed
UPF-S20 feature explanation
Life time Performance, no replacement required
Flush and Drain to Clean

5. Versatile Filter Housing

Compatible with other filters, such as carbon block filters, GAC filters, UDF filters, and or PP sediment filters, to provide comprehensive protection for your entire family.

UPF-S20 with compatible filters

6. Scalable Array Installation

Multiple units can be installed in an array for enhanced and more comprehensive water protection at a lower cost compared to other whole-home systems.

UPF-S20 installed in an array for multiple filtration

Installation Gallery

Technical Specifications

Feature
Parameter
Model No.
UPF-S20
Product Name
SS Prefiltration System
Filter Life
5 years
Filter Size
20" x 2.5"
Plumbing Size
3/4" Sharkbite
Filter Material
316 Stainless Steel
Housing Material
304 stainless steel
Static Pressure Test
285 psi
Anti-explosion Test
426 psi
Water Hammer Test
200,000 times
Physical Weight
14.5 lbs
Product Dimension
24.5" x 7" x 5"

Product Comparison

Description
UPF-S10
UPF-S20
UPF-S20L
Filter Size
10 x 2.5"
20 x 2.5"
20 x 4.5"
Filter Type
316 Stainless Steel
316 Stainless Steel
316 SS / FMCP
Micron Rating
40 um
40 um
1um/5um /10um
Contaminants Removed
Silt/Sand/Sediment
Silt/Sand/Sediment
Silt/Sand/Sediment/ Chlorine/VOCs
Flow Capability
26GPM
26 GPM
22GPM
Filter Compatibility
Standard 10-in
Standard 20-in
BB 20-in
Maintenance
Manual Flush
Manual Flush
Annual Replacement
Suitable Applications
City /Well /Lake
City /Well /Lake
City /Well /Lake

Choosing the Right Whole-Home Prefiltration System

Stainless Steel Filtration Housing Vs Big Blue Plastic Filtration Housing

Both stainless steel and Big Blue plastic housings provide excellent water filtration when paired with the appropriate filter cartridge. The comparison below highlights the differences in construction, durability, maintenance requirements, and long-term ownership to help you choose the solution that best fits your home.

Feature
Stainless Steel Prefiltration
Big Blue Plastic Prefiltration
Housing Material
304/316 Stainless Steel
Reinforced PP/ABS
Expected Service Life
10-25+ yrs with proper maintenance
5-10 yrs depending on water conditions and installation
Pressure Resistance
Excellent; suitable for high-pressure applications
Good, lower pressure tolerance than stainless steel
Impact Resistance
Excellent; highly resistant to accidental impacts
Moderate; may crack if struck or dropped
Water Hammer Resistance
Excellent
Moderate; repeated pressure spikes may shorten housing life
Corrosion Resistance
Excellent under normal operation
Will not corrode like metal
UV Resistance
Excellent; not affected by sunlight
Limited; prolonged UV exposure can cause brittleness and discoloration
Risk of Housing Cracks
Extremely low
Higher over time due to aging, stress, freezing, or pressure cycling
Thread Durability
Long-term durability
May wear or strip after repeated servicing
Operating Temp
Better tolerance to temp variations
Cold-water applications only
Maintenance
Flush every 3-4 week and inspect drain valve periodically
Replace cartridges and inspect O-ring during maintenance
Appearance
Premium brushed stainless steel finish
Functional plastic appearance
Commercial suitability
Excellent for residential & light commercial installations
Primarily designed for residential appliations
Leak Risk
Very low when properly maintained
O-ring leaks and housing cracks are the most common issues
Recyclability
Highly recyclable
Recyclable in some regions
Overall Durability
★★★★★
★★★☆☆

Compatibility & Applications

Compatible With

  • Municipal water supplies, Private well water, Lake Water

  • Water softeners, Salt-free water conditioning systems, Reverse osmosis, UV sterilizer

  • Tank and tankless water heaters

  • Standard residential plumbing systems (3/4" and 1" connections)

  • High-flow residential applications

  • Most standard 20" × 2.5" replacement filter cartridges

Ideal Applications

  • Homes supplied by municipal water

  • Private well water systems requiring sediment pre-filtration

  • Homes experiencing chlorine taste and odor

  • Water containing sediment, sand, rust, silt, or suspended particles

  • Families seeking cleaner water at every tap

  • Homes with water softeners requiring pre-filtration

  • Households with reverse osmosis drinking water systems

  • New home construction and plumbing upgrades

  • Homeowners seeking a durable, low-maintenance filtration solution

Recommended System Configurations

  • Municipal Water

Water Supply → UPF-S20 Whole House Filtration System → Water Softener → Home Plumbing → Reverse Osmosis Drinking System (Kitchen)

  • Private Well Water

Water Supply → UPF-S20 Whole House Filtration System → Iron /Sulfur Treatment (if required) → Water Softener → UV Sterilizer (if required) → Home Plumbing → Reverse Osmosis Drinking System ( Kitchen)

  • Lake Water

Lake Water → UPF-S20 Whole House Filtration System  → Tanning Treatment (if required) → RO Drinking System (kitchen)

Frequently Bought Together

The UPF-S20L whole house filtration system is commonly paired with our Ultrefina UWS-FF2, Smart HE Whole House Water Softener for homes experiencing hard water and scale buildup.

For homeowners looking for salt-free conditioning technology, the HydroShield Total: Ultrefina salt free softener system is an excellent complementary solution.

For cleaner and better-tasting drinking water at the kitchen tap, many homeowners pair this system with our URO-T09 reverse osmosis system  to help reduce chlorine, sediment, heavy metals, PFAS, and unwanted odors from drinking water.

For homeowners looking for a more economical and green option, the URO-T09A Non-Electric Reverse Osmosis System delivers the same advanced contaminant reduction—including chlorine, sediment, heavy metals, PFAS, and unwanted odors—while requires no electricity.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What contaminants does does it remove?

The UPF-S20 helps reduce sediment, sand, rust, dirt, silt, and other suspended particles commonly found in municipal and well water supplies. By removing these contaminants, it helps improve water clarity and protects plumbing fixtures and appliances from buildup.

2. Will it protect my water softener and reverse osmosis system?

Yes. The UPF-S20 acts as a pre-filtration system that helps prevent sediment and particulate matter from reaching downstream equipment. This can help improve the performance and lifespan of water softeners, reverse osmosis systems, water heaters, and other water treatment equipment.

3. Is it suitable for municipal water or well water?

Yes. The UPF-S20 is suitable for both municipal and well water applications where sediment, rust, sand, and suspended particles are present. It provides an effective first stage of filtration before water enters the home's plumbing system.

4. How often should I replace the filter?

The UPF‑S20’s stainless steel filter core doesn’t need replacement. Just perform a routine manual flush to clear sediment and maintain flow.

If you use optional cartridges, replacement depends on water quality and usage:

  • Sediment filter: every 3–6 months

  • CTO carbon filter: every 6–12 months

Replace sooner if you notice a pressure drop or the cartridge looks heavily loaded with sediment.

Start Ordering Your UPF-S20 System Today!

Cleaner water starts at the point of entry. The UPF-S20 provides reliable whole-home sediment filtration, helping protect your plumbing, appliances, and downstream water treatment systems from unwanted particulate contaminants. Discover how Ultrefina can help you build a complete water treatment solution tailored to your home.

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