Liquid Process Filters vs Water Filter Housings: What's the Difference

If you're researching water filtration systems, you've probably encountered two common terms: liquid process filters and water filter housings. Many beginners assume they are the same thing, but they actually serve different roles within a filtration system.

Understanding the difference is essential when designing or upgrading a water treatment setup for industrial, commercial, or residential applications. Choosing the wrong component can lead to poor filtration performance, increased maintenance costs, and reduced equipment protection.

In this guide, we'll explain what liquid process filters are, what water filter housings do, how they work together, and which one you need for your application.

What Is a Liquid Process Filter?

A liquid process filter is the actual filtration media responsible for removing contaminants from a liquid. Its job is to capture particles, sediment, rust, organic matter, microorganisms, or other impurities as the liquid flows through the system.

Common types of liquid process filters include:

Sediment filter cartridges
Activated carbon filters
PP melt-blown filters
String wound filters
Bag filters
Membrane filters

These filters are typically rated by microns, which indicate the size of particles they can remove.

Examples of micron ratings

Micron Rating	Typical Contaminants Removed
50 μm	Sand, large debris
20 μm	Rust particles
5 μm	Fine sediment
1 μm	Very fine particles
0.2 μm	Many bacteria

What Is a Water Filter Housing?

A water filter housing is the protective container that holds the filter cartridge. Think of it as the body or shell of the filtration system.

The housing itself does not perform the filtration. Instead, it:

Holds the filter securely in place
Directs water through the filter
Withstands water pressure
Prevents leaks
Makes filter replacement easier

Without a housing, most cartridge-style liquid process filters cannot be installed or operated properly.

The Biggest Difference

Quick comparison

Feature	Liquid Process Filter	Water Filter Housing
Primary function	Removes contaminants	Holds the filter cartridge
Performs filtration?	Yes	No
Needs replacement?	Regularly	Infrequently
Micron rating	Yes	No
Material	PP, carbon, membrane, etc.	Plastic or stainless steel
Purpose	Clean the liquid	Contain and support the filter

How They Work Together

In most systems, both components are required.

Here's the typical flow:

The housing creates a sealed pathway so all water is forced through the filter media before exiting the system.

When Do You Need a Liquid Process Filter?

You need a liquid process filter whenever you want to remove contaminants from a liquid.

Common applications include:

Whole-house water filtration
Industrial process water
Food and beverage production
Reverse osmosis pre-filtration
Chemical processing
Cooling systems
Well water treatment

For example, a 5-micron sediment cartridge can remove fine sand, rust, and silt from incoming water.

When Do You Need a Water Filter Housing?

You need a water filter housing when using cartridge-style filters.

A quality housing is especially important if your system experiences:

High water pressure
Frequent filter changes
Commercial usage
Whole-house filtration
Industrial operation

For reliable cartridge installation, AMwater offers the AMwater 10-Inch Water Filter Housing, designed to securely hold standard filter cartridges while providing dependable sealing and pressure resistance.

Which One Lasts Longer?

Expected lifespan

Component	Typical Lifespan
Liquid Process Filter	1–6 months (varies)
Water Filter Housing	Several years

Because the filter captures contaminants, it becomes clogged over time and must be replaced regularly. The housing, however, is reused for many filter replacement cycles.

Cost Comparison

Another important difference is ongoing cost.

Typical investment

Component	Cost Type
Water Filter Housing	One-time investment
Liquid Process Filters	Recurring replacement cost

For this reason, many buyers focus on selecting a durable housing first and then choose the appropriate filter cartridges based on their water quality needs.

How to Choose the Right Combination

For most residential and light commercial systems, start with these questions:

What contaminants are present?

Sediment
Rust
Chlorine
Odor
Fine particles
Bacteria

What flow rate do you need?

Higher flow rates may require larger housings and filters.

What micron rating is appropriate?

20–50 μm for coarse sediment
5–10 μm for general filtration
1 μm or less for fine filtration

Final Thoughts

So, what's the difference between liquid process filters and water filter housings?

The answer is simple:

Liquid Process Filters = the component that removes contaminants.
Water Filter Housings = the component that holds and protects the filter.

They are not competing products—they are complementary parts of the same filtration system. A high-quality housing paired with the right filter cartridge delivers better water quality, improved equipment protection, and lower long-term maintenance costs.

For reliable filtration solutions, AMwater provides durable products such as the AMwater 10-Inch Water Filter Housing, helping homeowners and businesses build efficient, dependable water filtration systems.

Liquid Process Filters vs Water Filter Housings: What's the Difference?