What You Need to Know About Reverse-Osmosis Filters
Here are some things to consider about reverse-osmosis filters.
They remove a broad spectrum of impurities. Reverse osmosis filters can remove chemicals such as chlorine, chloramine, nitrates, sulfates, and pesticides from your drinking water. They can also cleanse your water of heavy metals, such as lead.
They contain a host of components. A reverse osmosis filter is comprised of several components. A water line valve is attached to your water supply line, and a pre-filter removes sediments and dirt before the main filtration takes place. The semipermeable reverse-osmosis membrane is at the center of the system, and it handles the lion's share of the water filtration. The filter also utilizes a storage tank where the filtered water is stored. A post-filter gives the water an additional round of filtration before it's sent to the faucet.
Both whole-house and kitchen-faucet systems are available. Point-of-use reverse-osmosis filters are available that will work solely to filter the water coming from your kitchen faucet. These filters are usually stored underneath the kitchen sink, and they can cost $200 -$500. You can also purchase a point-of-entry reverse osmosis filtration system that will purify all the water used in the home. This system connects with your home's main water line. Relative to a point-of-use unit, these systems have a much higher upfront cost, and they also require more maintenance. A point-of-entry reverse-osmosis system can start at around $600 and go up to more than $5,000. The larger the home, the more expensive the system.
Not all reverse-osmosis filters work in the same way. Reverse-osmosis filters can differ in a host of ways. These systems filter water via a multistage process, and some systems use more filters than others for more complete filtration. They also differ in the amount of water they can filter on a daily basis. Kitchen-faucet point-of-use filters can produce anywhere from 10-75 gallons of water per day. Finally, there may also be differences in the quality of the components, and some offer greater reliability and longevity.
Systems built for residential use don't require electricity. Reverse-osmosis water filters built for households use a home's water pressure to activate the filtration process, and no electricity is required. However, systems built for both commercial or industrial use rely on electricity to fuel pumps that accommodate the filtration process.
They require regular filter replacement. Both point-of-use and point-of-entry reverse-osmosis filtration systems require regular filter replacement if they are to work effectively. The pre- and post-filters typically need to be changed every six months, while the reverse-osmosis membrane itself needs to be changed roughly every two years. For a point-of-use filter for your kitchen faucet, filter replacement costs can run $100-$200 per year.
Installing a Reverse-Osmosis Filter
It's possible to install a point-of-use reverse-osmosis filter on your own, but the process can be complicated. If you have any doubts about your ability to handle the installation, turn the job it over to a plumber. However, installing a point-of-entry reverse osmosis filter for whole-house water filtration can be a complex task, and this is a chore best tackled by a plumber.
Plumbers typically charge $45-$65 an hour and installing a reverse-osmosis filtration system can take two to four hours or more.