With our changing climate, rising pollution levels and Australia’s rapidly growing population, the demand for clean drinking water has never been higher. And, despite the best efforts of the government to provide Australians with safe drinking water, our water quality at the point of consumption may not always be beneficial to our short or long-term health goals. With access to clean, fresh water being fundamental to living a healthy life, this is why many people are choosing to have home water treatment systems installed in their homes.
With there being many different types of home water treatment systems on the market it can be hard to know which one is right for you and your home. Below we’ve put together info on the differences between whole house water treatment systems and under bench systems to help you make an informed choice when deciding on a home water treatment system.
For over 30 years Billi has been at the forefront of the instant filtered boiling and chilled water systems industry. Our products are celebrated for their combination of functionality, performance and contemporary aesthetics and are proudly Australian-made and designed. Our water filtration systems incorporate cutting-edge eco-technology so they’re kind to the planet, modern designs and industry-leading features such as water-cooled technology, space saving under bench footprints, and speciality dispensers.
Here are the differences between whole house water treatment systems & under bench systems and what to consider when it comes to home water treatment systems.
Whole House Water Treatment Systems And Under Bench Systems
There are a few different things to consider when choosing a Home water treatment system. Here is a breakdown of some of the key factors when it comes to whole house water treatment systems and under bench systems.
Level Of Water Filtration
Tap water can contain many impurities, both natural and artificial. Home water treatment systems are designed to remove these impurities from your water, however, what is removed will be determined by how effective the filter is and the type of home water treatment system you choose may determine what filtration level is available for your home.
Whilst whole house water treatment systems filter all the water used in plumbing and appliances, from showers to dishwashers and washing machines they generally only have a 30 to 50-micron filter as they need to be able to still allow normal flow of water through the filter. Under bench systems are specialised filtration systems with the specific purpose of filtering drinking water only. Under bench systems don’t protect your entire home’s plumbing and appliances, however, you can have up to a 0.2-micron filter which provides the highest level of filtration for drinking water.
With our units, you can choose the filtration level that best suits your needs. Our 0.2 Micron filter removes the following from your water:
- Particles
- Chlorine and organic chemicals
- Limescale
- Parasitic cysts including cryptosporidium & giardia
Our 5-micron filter provides a more standard option to improve drinking water and removes the following:
- Particles
- Chlorine and organic chemicals
- Limescale

Installation
Whole house water treatment systems sit in line between the mains water supply and the home or property which enables them to deliver filtered water to the entire property. Because they are installed upstream of the water heater, they filter both hot and cold water. With the installation of whole house water treatment systems sometimes your plumbing system may need to be reconfigured to accommodate the complex parts of the system.
Under bench systems are installed in your kitchen cabinet. With our under bench systems, we have an extensive range of models that do not require cupboard ventilation cutouts or grilles so they are quick, easy and cost-effective to install. They also have one of the smallest footprints on the market so don’t take up a lot of space.
Ongoing Maintenance, Costs And Support
Most home water treatment systems will require ongoing filter replacement to maintain the quality of the filtered water and to ensure the system operates effectively over time. Whole house water treatment systems have the biggest cartridges because they need to treat a larger volume of water daily without reducing the flow rate. They may also require a professional to replace them and you’ll need to ensure filters are easily available if/when they do need to be replaced.
Under bench systems have a smaller filter so upfront or ongoing costs may be more affordable, however, they may need to be replaced more frequently (we recommend replacing our filters every 12 months). Under bench filters can usually be installed by yourself – with our systems, we have videos that show you how to replace filters and also have the option to have a technician change filters for you if preferred. Genuine replacement Billi filters are readily available on our website and from your local approved supplier.
We also offer extensive customer support and service plans to suit customers’ requirements.
To make maintenance even more manageable, all our filters also contain a digital protection device to ensure single use, hygiene and an ability to monitor water volume throughout.
Our systems also feature the most advanced water filtration technology such as our unique Heat Exchange Technology which enables our systems to achieve substantial energy savings. Our units also feature a standby mode which conserves energy by powering down after 2 hours of non-use.
Lifestyle Considerations
With our under bench systems we offer a range of water combinations that can include instant boiling, chilled, still and sparkling water on tap which is something whole house water treatment systems don’t offer. Our customers love the convenience of having instant boiling water for hot drinks, cooking and sterilisation. If you like to entertain, a system with instant chilled, still or sparkling water is a great choice. Our systems are also great for freeing up space in your kitchen – no need for a kettle, sparkling water machine or bottles of water taking up space in the fridge anymore!
Speak with Water Filtration Experts Today
Call 1800 812 321 to speak with a member of our customer service team if you’d like to find out more about the different types of home water treatment systems. You can also visit your local Billi stockist to speak with your local water filtration experts and view our systems. Use our Store Finder to find your nearest stockist.
Multi-Functional Appliances for Multi-Functional Spaces
As working, socialising, and relaxing from home become the new normal, homeowners and designers want to know how to design a multi-functional kitchen so they can adapt their space to cater for more activities. Given that the kitchen is the ‘heart of the home’ and is typically included in an open-plan layout, it is crucial to think of this area in terms of function and aesthetics.
Multi-functional appliances take on a whole new importance when you are looking to maximise space usage, efficiency and convenience in one integrated environment. Below we look at the design considerations when designing a human-centred kitchen space and specifying multi-functional appliances that are centred around modern life.
Accessibility and storage
Over designing storage for multiple single-use appliances is a common mistake. Choosing appliances with dual functions is a great way to save storage and counter space, as you only need to find room for one device rather than two.
Adding functionality to smaller spaces
A well-planned, multi-functional layout makes life simple, even when space is limited. A combination oven and microwave is a practical way to save work space, for example, without reducing cooking options. Another solution is a multi-function filtered drinking water system, which provides boiling water for cooking and hot beverages, and chilled and sparkling water for guests, while eliminating the need for space-occupying water bottles, kettles, tanks and other bulky equipment.
Increasing productivity
A permanently-installed appliance has the added benefit of eliminating the time that is wasted setting up and packing down appliances, or cleaning or setting up a space to facilitate a single task. In addition, a permanently-installed product can be used on demand at any time and does not create clutter. All these factors mean users can achieve their desired outcome quicker and easier and get back to what they were doing without wasting time.
Sustainability matters
Making efficient product choices is just one factor when planning a sustainable kitchen renovation. It is also important to consider the environmental, social and economic impact of your chosen products and materials over the whole product life cycle, from production to final disposal. Additionally, you must also consider what your chosen supplier or manufacturer is doing about reducing waste and emissions in their own operations and supply chain.
While traditional appliances are the go-to for most homeowners, the cumulative environmental impact of multiple single-function appliances can be significant in relation to energy needs, single-use plastic production and transport. For example, filling a fridge with bottled water may seem like a cost-effective solution for on-demand drinking water, but it takes up valuable fridge space and contributes to increasing consumption of single-use plastics. In Australia, we already buy billions of plastic bottles each year, with 53% of those plastic bottles ending up in landfill and 12% entering our environment.
Energy saving and affordable
It is important to conduct a life cycle assessment to consider the cost of ongoing consumables or the need to fully replace an appliance instead of maintaining or repairing. For example, a benchtop sparkling water maker or jug filter may be cost-effective upfront, but both will have high ongoing costs to replace the C02 cylinder or water filter, respectively. An underbench filtered water system that also provides sparkling water may be more expensive upfront but may be comparable in terms of running costs and provides a space-saving and dependable drinking water solution.
Why Billi is the answer for modern kitchens
Maximise space and storage Billi’s concealed multi-function filtered drinking water appliances integrate seamlessly into modern kitchens, offering up to five types of water including domestic water for the sink from a single fixture. With the smallest footprint on the market, Billi’s underbench modules save space and increase capacity for other kitchen convenience items.
Increase functionality and convenience Billi’s Home range is the ideal addition to any kitchen, giving you the convenience of instant filtered water in a range of options, including chilling and sparkling for entertaining or instant boiling water for cooking. Billi’s multifunction tapware offering tactile and contactless user interface, making it the only dual operation dispensers in
the market, with enhanced reliability and the elimination of accidental dispense.
Health and wellbeing
Billi’s water-cooled range of appliances run cooler, quieter and do not pollute the surrounding atmosphere with dust or exhaust heat. UVC filtration can be fit to all Billi products or retrofit to those already installed. UV water purification systems are compact, non-intrusive and are extremely effective at destroying illness-causing microorganisms.
Ensuring the highest level of drinking water available, Billi’s filter range is tested in accordance with NSF standards, an internationally-recognised public health and safety organisation.
Reduce energy consumption
Billi provides eco-friendly and energy-efficient water systems that offer energy-saving heating and cooling processes and time-switch modes to eliminate unnecessary power consumption.
Protect the environment
With its state-of-the-art water filtration systems, Billi sets new standards in environmental sensitivity. Billi’s patented technology
recovers and reuses energy to preheat the boiling water, thereby saving energy. Billi systems also offer unique power consumption advantages, including thermodynamic heat-exchange technology, high-performance polyethylene insulation, and standby modes to conserve power. Recyclability and eco-friendly material choices also
contribute to a low environmental impact.
In addition to providing high-quality water systems, Billi addresses the global plastic problem by offering borosilicate (glass) water bottles, double-wall insulated water bottles, and reusable keep cups to avoid disposable solutions or single-use plastic bottles. The company is also committed to sustainability across their entire operation, implementing renewable energy and waste reduction initiatives across its manufacturing plants.
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