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Let’s just go ahead and start by saying, no matter where you live, in a city or village, no matter if it’s a city of well water, no tap water is safe anymore. You could change your drinking habits to bottled water, but there’s nothing out there guaranteeing that it’s better than your tap water. So how do you get out of that situation? Well according to many respected scientists out there the answer is using a whole house reverse osmosis system. This type of system is built to remove 99 percent of the dangerous contaminants in your drinking water, sound too good to be true? Let’s break it down so we can show you how it works, and give you our suggestions on the best whole house reverse osmosis systems on today’s market.
Should I Buy a Whole House Reverse Osmosis Filtration System?
We really consider this as an investment, considering all the things and illnesses that can be caused due to not having clean water. This way you can have peace of mind, knowing you are drinking the cleanest and purest water there is, not just yourself but your whole family too. These systems have proved that they are doing an amazing job, yes they can be a little pricey, but if you are in need of one, and can afford a whole house reverse osmosis system then we say with upper confidence that your money is well spent.
What Is A Whole House Reverse Osmosis System And How Does It Work?
The reverse osmosis system removes feed water, or simply removes all the harmful contaminants from your water. The RO system has a pre-filter that removes sediment and chlorine, after passing the pre-filter the water going into the semipermeable membrane that does not allow anything but water to pass. After the water goes through the membrane it goes into a postfilter, this is used for polishing the water before going into your faucet. These filters can vary depending on what reverse osmosis system you use.
What Contaminants Does The Reverse Osmosis System Remove?
Although it removes almost every contaminant in the water, here are some of the most important ones.
- Chlorine
- Fluoride
- Pesticides
- Herbicides
- Sediment
- Salt
- Arsenic
What Are The Things You Need To Look For When Buying Your New Whole House Reverse Osmosis System?
Like every other appliance on the market, the whole house reverse osmosis system is a big purchase, so you are going to need to be careful and know what to look for to make the right choice. The whole house reverse osmosis system needs to have some great features to sway you into buying him, here are the most important ones you need to look for.
- Flow rate. The flow rate of the system is the first thing you need to look for, and also you need to know your daily usage approximately. The flow rate of systems nowadays is between 100 and 500 gallons, a regular person uses around 80 gallons a day. If you have a family of four, then you are going to need at least 250 gallons a day of production.
- Filtration stages. This is very simple, more stages, cleaner water. If the reverse osmosis system has four stages of filtration, it would be a lot better than those with two stages of filtration. Although the more filters the system has, the more maintenance it’s going to ask for. This also means buying more filters and the cost goes up.
- The installation. This one saves you a headache, some reverse osmosis systems come pre-built, meaning you only have to connect a few things, but some of the systems are quite complicated that you are going to need to waste a day or two installing it by yourself or even call a professional.
- The wastewater. This feature is really important for you to be economic about your water usage. The difference usually varies from one manufacturer to another, but mostly is in the limit of 1:1 to 1:1.5, this means that for every gallon of clean and purified water produced there are five gallons of wastewater.
- Does it have a tank? Some households don’t have the space to go for a large tank reverse osmosis system, so for smaller houses, it’s better to look for a tankless filtration system. There are a lot of oversized reverse osmosis systems on the market.
- The water pressure. The municipal waters are almost always with a good flow rate, but if you attach your whole house reverse osmosis system to it then the water pressure might drop significantly. Now, most RO systems have a 40 PSI ( pounds per square inch) water pressure, so that’s the number you need to look for when buying.
What Is The Best Whole House Reverse Osmosis System On The Market?
If you are going to buy a new whole house reverse osmosis system, we know it can be very difficult to make the right choice. There are so many things to keep in mind, things like the size, the wastewater production, the cost of filter maintenance, the installation, the filter capabilities… Do we need to go on? This is why we decided to do a little research and cherry-pick the best five whole house reverse osmosis systems on today’s market, just for you.
ISpring RCS5T 500GPD RO System
Features: Affordable, compact, great capacity.
Price: $
The ISpring RCS5T is one of the most affordable whole houses reverse osmosis systems, that’s why many households choose this system. It’s interesting because it was designed for light use, and that’s why many restaurants, coffee shops, and salons use it the most.
The capacity is more than 500 gallons, depending on your household usage, but for most it’s enough for drinking, showering, cooking, and other uses. To use the ISpring RCS5T you are going to need to buy an additional holding tank and a pump to supply it with clean, purified water. Like every other RO system, the ISpring RCS5T has its own pros and cons, here are the ones worth mentioning.
Pros
- Very efficient system.
- Comes with a built-in booster pump.
- Cheap price compared to other whole house reverse osmosis systems.
- A 6-stage filtration system that proves to be one of the best.
Cons
- Additional costs, because you have to buy a holding tank and a pump so it can work as a whole house reverse osmosis system.
Considering all of these pros and cons we said, the conclusion would be that the ISpring RCS5T would be a good choice for your next whole house reverse osmosis system, mainly due to its price and efficiency.
Crystal Quest 7000 GPD Whole House Reverse Osmosis System
Features: Huge capacity, high quality, removes most bacteria.
Price: $$$
The great thing about the Crystal Quest 7000 it’s that even if you live in a big house, this system has the output capacity to provide purified water for it.
The Crystal Quest 7000 comes with everything you need to use it properly, it has a 550-gallon tank, but you can also choose a 220 gallon one. The filters on this reverse osmosis system are one of the best we have seen, it does not have any issue removing any kind of bacteria, heavy metals, or other contaminants.
Now, along with its output capacity and quality filters, comes the price. The Crystal Quest 7000 is rather expensive for some, but you won’t find any other system that can provide more clean water than this one. Here are some of the pros and cons we noticed on the Crystal Quest 7000.
Pros
- High output capacity, as we mentioned before, it does not make any difference in how big of a house you live in as long as you use this system.
- Everything is included when purchasing it.
- Long lifespan, this system can live up to 20 years.
- Very Efficient.
Cons
- Expensive, although it’s one of the best ones on the market, it’s very expensive.
The Crystal Quest 7000 is the best by far if you are in a big house, yes it is expensive, but the results of this RO system are just amazing.
Light Commercial Reverse Osmosis Filtration System
Features: best for commercial use, removes plastic, long lifespan
Price: $$
This RO system is also primarily designed for salons, restaurants, and laboratories, many families are using it for their home. Besides removing most of the known contaminants, like chemicals, bacteria, etc. it also removes plastic, making it very environmentally friendly.
The system comes with an RO carbon filter that can filter up to 30 000 gallons of water. These types of filters have a long lifespan, can even last up to three times more than a regular filter. Besides the RO carbon filters, you will also get a 40/60 tank built-in tank that can automatically turn the system on if the pressure gets too low.
The system also has good water pressure thanks to the four high-flow membranes. Here are some of the pros and cons we think are worth mentioning about this RO system.
Pros
- The longevity of the filters. As we said they can live up to three times more than a regular filter, this will save you some money and time on maintenance.
- Easy to operate. This RO system is very easy to operate for anyone.
- Great water pressure.
- Removes plastic.
Cons
- The system is big. You are going to need some more free space for this system.
- It’s difficult to install. If you thought about installing it yourself, you might want to think twice.
The Light commercial reverse osmosis system is a great RO system, even if you keep all of the cons in mind. We would definitely suggest this one.
ISpring RCB3P Commercial Grade Reverse Osmosis Filtration System
Features: great for a big house, versatile, big capacity, built in booster pump.
Price: $$$
The ISpring RCB3P can produce up to 300 gallons of water per day, this feature is very important if you are living in a big house or your family has a lot of members. These types of systems are even used in commercial buildings. It comes with a pressure gauge and built-in booster pump that can ensure your water pressure levels are satisfactory. With this, you can also keep a close eye on the water filters. Here are some of the pros and cons of the ISpring RCB36 commercial-grade RO system.
Pros
- Simple and easy installation of the system. You don’t need to call a plumber or a specialist.
- Very efficient.
- One of the best for light commercial use on the market.
Cons
- Expensive. This isn’t the cheapest RO filter on the market for sure.
- The manufacturer only gives out one year warranty, compared to other manufacturers that give out two or three years.
In conclusion, the ISpring RCB3P is a good RO system, maybe a little expensive but definitely a contender.
WECO HydroSense 0500 Light Commercial Reverse Osmosis Filtration System
Features: best for commercial use, 4 phase filter, comes preassembled.
Price: $$$$
This light commercial RO system is also commonly used in laboratories, restaurants, aquariums, and schools, but many households use it as well.
The WECO RO system uses four phases to filter your water and give you that clean purified water you deserve. In the first stage, it removes insects, sand, rust, dust, and silt. In the second phase, the WECO removes all of the strange taste and odor from the water by removing chemicals like chlorine, sulfur, and chloramine. The third phase removes organic chemicals like herbicides, pesticides, and other industrial chemicals. The last phase is for removing heavy metals like mercury, lead, salts, and fluoride.
Another great thing about the WECO is that you will get everything pre-assembled. Here are some of the pros and cons of the WECO RO system.
Pros
- Great performance and efficiency.
- Removes 99% of all contaminants.
- Great water pressure.
- Easy install, due to its pre-assembled delivery.
Cons
- Expensive, the WECO is more expensive than most RO systems of this type.
- Limited one-year warranty.
The WECO might be a little expensive, but a product of this quality comes with a price. One of the better ones on the market nowadays.
Whirlpool WHER25 Reverse Osmosis Filtration System
Features: Uses a prefilter, durable, great capacity.
Price: $$$
Whirlpool is a famous appliances company, who proved itself in many other fields besides the RO systems. The WHER25 is a three-stage filtration system that effectively removes almost all of the contaminants from your water. It uses a prefilter to help reduce the contaminants with the help of the activated carbon. This also improves the taste and odor of the water.
Now, the WHER25 has a difficult installation, so keep in mind you might need to call a specialist or a plumber to install it. Here are the pros and cons of the Whirlpool WHER25 RO system.
Pros
- Easy maintenance. The system has an indicator that shows you when a filter needs to be changed.
- Three-stage filtration. This is a proven method of purifying water.
Cons
- Difficult installation.
- It also has a slower flow rate than most RO systems.
Whirlpool may be one of the better ones, considering the quality of the Whirlpool company appliances.
Watts Premier WP531411 Reverse Osmosis Pure, 4 stage RO system
Features: 4 stages purification. easy to install, easy to use and easy to maintain.
Price: $$
The Watts Premier reverse osmosis filtration system is a 4 stage purifying system. It has a pre and post-carbon filter that helps you improve the taste and odor of the water while removing the contaminants. Along with the Water Premier comes a chrome faucet.
One of the great things about the Watts Premier is the installation, it’s super easy and only requires a couple of connections, which you are going to know with the help of the instructions that are included. The maintenance of the filters is another great feature, it does not require shutting down the water, you only need to press a button. There are some pros and cons worth mentioning about the Watts Premier WP531411.
Pros
- Easy installation.
- Even easier maintenance.
- Carbon post-filter and pre-filter.
- Great design of the tank.
Cons
- The faucet that is included can start dripping after a month or so.
- The flow rate is a little slow on the Watts Premier.
In conclusion, the Watts Premier is a great reverse osmosis system, especially for people who hate complicated installation and maintenance. We would definitely recommend it.
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Waterdrop G2 Reverse Osmosis Filtration System
Features: Long filter longevity, great capacity, high quality, great design.
Price: $$$
The Waterdrop G2 system is a different kind of RO system, it does not use a storage tank. It comes with two filters that allow you to get clean and purified water. The filter’s longevity is about four to five months, which is more than most other filters of this kind. This system can produce up to 400 gallons of water a day, more than enough for the normal usage of a family. Like every other, the Waterdrop G2 reverse osmosis system has its pros and cons, here are the ones worth mentioning.
Pros
- You have two filters included.
- It produces 400 gallons of water a day.
- Great design without the tank.
Cons
- The more you use it the more filters you are going to need.
The Waterdrop is a great reverse osmosis system, simple and effective, if you are in for a great design, this one is the right choice.
The APEC ROES-PH75 Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
Features: Six stage filtration process, great design, easy to use.
Price: $$$
The APEC ROES-PH75 offers a six-stage filtration system that includes activated charcoal to give you the best possible results. The six-stage filtration system cleans the water from all known contaminants, including chlorine, lead, arsenic, and many others.
The APEC can produce up to 75 gallons of purified and clean water a day, and it also has a new faucet with a great design. The APEC ROES-PH75 has its pros and cons, and here are the ones we thought we should mention.
Pros
- It has a six-stage water filtration system.
- Removes all known contaminants.
- It has a faucet included.
Cons
- The installation on the APEC is a little difficult, and you might need to call a professional.
Everything included, we have to say that the APEC ROES-PH75 is a great reverse osmosis system that will provide you with the healthiest and cleanest water. We would say it’s worth every penny.
How Much Wastewater Does The Reverse Osmosis System Produce?
Usually, for every gallon of clean water, around seven gallons of water is wasted, this can cost you a lot of money and can be a very inefficient option. Luckily this only applies to the old models of the reverse osmosis systems, the new models are much more efficient and can be with a ratio of 2:1, with every gallon of clean water produced, two gallons is wastewater.
How Difficult Are The Installation And The Maintenance?
The reverse osmosis system is easy to install, it only requires minimal knowledge and a few tools. It depends on the type of system you purchase, but when purchasing try to find one that needs almost no time to install. If the system is more complicated then you might need to call a professional or a plumber.
The maintenance if not done properly can do some complicated things. Having in mind this is a system that cleans water, it also requires cleaning for itself. Some systems have filters that need changing once every couple of months, but others can hold up to a year or so. Have this in mind when you decide on your next reverse osmosis system, the cost of maintenance can be high on some systems.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Reverse Osmosis System?
The reverse osmosis system’s goal is to make your water healthier by removing 98 percent of the contaminants. Here are some of its best features.
- Successfully dissolves contaminants
- Removes bad taste and strange odors from the water
- Reduces the level of sodium in the water
- Very easy and simple installation
- Can fit in almost any kitchen
- More environment friendly than bottled water
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much space does the Reverse Osmosis System take to install?
The reverse osmosis system can take up to 20% of your space under the sink, it should fit in almost any kitchen.
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Is it possible for the reverse osmosis system to be connected to the refrigerator?
Absolutely, you can connect the RO system to your refrigerator and make ice cubes out of clean filtered water.
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How often do I need to change the filters of my reverse osmosis system?
Usually, the filters for sediment and carbon require changing once a year and the membrane filters should be changed every three to four years. This also depends on your house water usage.
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Is it difficult to install the reverse osmosis system on my own?
The installation process isn’t difficult, all you have to do is follow the manufacturer’s instructions, most systems are built so that anyone following the instructions can install it. Some of the manufacturers have a call line that you can ask for help if needed.
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Do reverse osmosis systems remove sodium from the drinking water?
Of course, all together with the other 99 percent of known harmful contaminants, sodium is effectively removed from your drinking water.
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Does the reverse osmosis system remove bacteria and viruses?
No, the reverse osmosis system does not remove bacteria and viruses. These types of contaminants are usually removed by a treatment plant before the water enters the water system. The reverse osmosis might remove some bacteria and viruses, but not all of them.
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Do I need to buy a water tank and a pump for my whole house reverse osmosis system to function properly?
This depends on what kind of whole house reverse osmosis system you buy. Most of them come with everything included. If you decide to buy a light commercial reverse osmosis system, then you are going to need to buy a tank so it can fit in like a whole house RO system.
Wrap up
We are overjoyed that we had the opportunity to share our thoughts and we tried to tell you everything you need to know before buying your new whole house reverse osmosis system. We also gave out our opinion on the best nine systems on today’s market for you to keep in mind. We are sure there are some great RO systems on the market, but if you use some of the tips we gave you the decision you are going to make would be so much easier, especially now that you know what to look for.
If you’re looking to explore more options, feel free to check out our guide on the best whole house water filters.
Wayne is a water quality expert – The founder of Water Filter Data. He has a degree in microbiology and his field of expertise is drinking water. His goal is to allow for clean and healthy water for as many people as possible.
