I was wanting to install a water filtration system (undersink).
I would like to have botttled water quality and was looking at the reverse osmosis systems.
Naturally I am trying to avoid installing a product that has a really expensive filter cost. My question is in this type system do the filters and the RO membrane get changed at the same interval? The filters say they are good for 6 months. The RO membrane (filter) is sold seperately. I didn’t know if it was good for longer or about the same as the filters?
Also I am thinking I do not want a sump type system, messier or at least wetter to do a filter change right?
Thanks
Webby
Edited 3/28/2009 12:24 pm ET by webby
Replies
We used to have an RO and yes, the RO filter has a longer time between replacements than the (typically charcoal and 'other' filters).
We now have an Everpure 300 - http://www.waterinc.com/h300.htm and I like it much better.
The RO was a real PITA and ecologically not so great, since it 'reverse-dumps' something like 30 gallons of water down the drain to produce one gallon of filtered water.
Jeff
Edited 3/29/2009 12:24 am ET by Jeff_Clarke
Thanks for the info.
I don't know about the reverse dumping on the whirlpool unit I was looking at. Just the fact that it advertised bottled water quailty, and the next unit down had no mention to that effect. Webby
I think that all of them 'backwash' the filter (this is the 'reverse' part of RO) and waste around 30 gallons for each gallon made.
Jeff
You can raise the ratio of water filtered to water wasted by installing a small pump that increases the pressure on the R.O. filter. If you look at the accesories for most of these systems they will offer one.
Edited 3/29/2009 6:18 pm ET by popawheelie
We've had RO for about 7 years and really like it. I'd say it's better than bottled water quality, our ice is crystal clear, and the electric teapot looks as shiny as the day we bought it. The disadvantages are that you have to have fairly soft water or the filter will plug up quicker, and you do waste some water. I plumbed ours in the basement and ran lines to the bar sink and icemaker. I didn't want their cheesy faucet at the bar sink so I just ran it to the hot side of the bar faucet, since the kitchen sink is just across the room for hot water. The drain line to the RO is plumbed so that if I want to fill a bucket for plant water I can do it real easily. Also that way we don't have that gurgling noise at the sink. I replace the filters about every 2 years, you can tell it needs it when the output starts getting pretty slow. It costs about $35 for the filters for our unit.
Thanks for the info.Webby