To Enlightenment

Choosing a Reverse Osmosis Water Filter-
What You Need to Know...

There are several details you need to consider before you purchase a water filter.


Best Type of Water Filter:
Of the different types of water filters,  most experts agree that a Reverse Osmosis water filter is your best choice. Reverse Osmosis filters remove the most spectrum of contaminants than any other types of filters available.

Installation:
Be sure that whatever type of filter you decide to buy, that it's easy to install and de-install. (Check to see if the vendor offers a moving kit.)

Quality:
 The most important! Since you will be drinking the water and connecting your new water filter to your water supply, you don't want to worry about poorly designed systems that does not work or flooding your home. So ask questions about warranty and manufacture.
We suggest purchasing systems built in the US using US parts.

Maintenance and Filter Changes:
Make sure this is easy to do, the maintenance schedule is not very frequent, and that filters are reasonably priced.

Price, Quality & Service -- What difference does it make? 

Generally, RO systems at the lower price range (below $250) are of lesser quality. We do not recommend them because of their frequent problems and shorter life-span. RO systems at lower price use all non-US made (foreign made) components that crack and leak easily under pressure and over time. 
Of course, price should not be the only judgment as we do see many bad systems having high price tags. Very much like cars, there is quite a difference in the quality of RO systems although they may look similar or even identical to each other.

Typical problems with lower-priced or less quality systems are:
- shorter pre-filter life: 6 months vs 1 year
- shorter membrane life: dies in 1-2 yrs vs. 3-5 yrs.
- lower rejection rate and possible brine water seeping into pure water inside the membrane housings! ----- so water  is less pure (filtration is not as effective or thorough with hight TDS results)
- leakage at fittings & auto shut-off device
- poor quality tanks that leak pressure after 1-2 years
- each system is not individually tested (often are mass-imported)
- usually systems and parts are not made in the USA, not tested by FDA or NSF.
- little or no technical support after purchase
- cost more to maintain in the long run
- Little or no on-going technical guidance and support from the supplier.

So what should we look for in a RO system?

- Get a system with good parts. (better ingredients naturally builds a better system)
Make sure every filter, membrane, filter housings, faucet, and tanks are all US made, best if they all are NSF certified. Stay away with sellers who do not wish to disclose their parts/filters brand and makes info. 

- Get at least a 5-stage RO system. Anything less is not worth your time and investment. Stay away with 3-4 stage systems because you have to change pre-filters every 4-6 month, while a good 5-stage system's pre-filters can last up to 1 year or more. It'll save much effort on your side in the future.

The tricky part is that many RO systems only use ONE NSF part, or one US made part, and they are making the claims like "build with NSF" parts. Watch out!
- In the 5-stage system, make sure the pre-filters consists of -- 2 carbon blocks and 1 sediment filter. 2 solid carbon blocks is the best combination, together will last at least 1 year before you have to change the pre-filters. Stay away with any GAC carbon filters as a cheap substitute for carbon blocks. They release so much black carbon powders that they can clog up your system very fast! Also stay away from 2 sediment filtered systems. They make no sense and are just a cost reduction technique for the manufacturer. Also this makes it so you have to change your pre-filters very often that they can make the residual money.

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