Best Whole House Reverse Osmosis System 2022 – High Capacity and Low Wastage Ratio

Last Updated on 1 year by Todd

Clean and safe water is the right of every citizen. In the US more than 2 million populations are deprived of clean and pure drinking water. They are supplied with water that has a high amount of different chemicals and contaminants that are pretty hard to filter. Remember, normal filters cannot remove TDS completely. Reverse osmosis filtration systems are the lifesaver in such cases.

Reverse osmosis water filter eliminates 99.9% contaminants and TDS from your water. Installing a whole house Reverse osmosis system will ensure that you will get purified and clean water from every tap of your home. But where the shoe pinch is that where to find the best whole house reverse osmosis system. Don’t sweat it. Here you will get all the relevant information about the whole house reverse osmosis system along with some reviews of our tested RO systems.

So cut to the chase and get into the best whole house reverse osmosis system.

Take a quick review of our best whole house RO system:

1. iSpring RCB3P: easy to install whole house RO system with 5 filtration stages to produce clean and purified water.

• Production rate: 300GDP
• Wastage rate:1:1
• Built-in water pressure booster pump

2. Hydro-Logic Evolution-tankless whole house RO system which lowers PPM of TDS up to 95%. High flow system best for big families.

• Production rate: 1000GDP
• Wastage rate:2:1
• Uses three stages of filtration

3. WECO HydroSense – a whole house RO system features GAC , UV, and carbon post filter to enhances the pH and taste of your water. Great for households where water is stored in holding tanks. 

• Flow rate: 0.34gpm
• Waste ratio:1:1
• Uses five RO membranes with UV and post carbon filter

4. iSpring RCS5T 500 – efficient and RO water system that is best for the whole household. Easy to maintain and install.

• • Flow rate: 500gpd
  • Waste ratio:1:1
  • Uses five filtration stages

Best Whole House Reverse Osmosis System Reviews 2022:

1. iSpring RCB3P – Best Reverse Osmosis RO Water Filtration System

Breaking the ice with the whole house reverse osmosis system from the house of iSpring. A leading brand that provides possible solutions to all your water problems. ISpring RCB3P is one of the highly efficient reverse osmosis systems that is meant to be used for light commercial use. It is very effective against different contaminants. As per the manufacturer’s claim, it is able to remove more than 1000 contaminants from your water which include fluoride, chlorine, lead arsenic, asbestos, and many others.

ISpring RCB3P uses 5 filtration stages that give you clear and crisp water from every faucet of your home. The 1st stage of filtration uses 5-micron sediment filter that holds large particles. Whereas, the 2nd and 3rd filtration stage uses carbon filter that reduces the presence of different contaminants. However, 4th stage filtration comprises of RO membrane that removes thousands of hazardous contaminants. The last filter is a carbon filter that eliminates bad taste and odor.

Besides this, it is capable of producing 300 gallons of pure and clean water per day, or in other words 0.21 gallons per minute.

The worth mentioning part is the presence of a built-in booster pump which is very useful in households with low water pressure. This booster pump increases the speed of purified water up to 80psi.

We are simply amazed by the performance of iSpring RCB3P and above all, its installation process is super easy. You will find a metal hanging basket on a stainless steel frame on which the entire system is mounted. This makes it comparatively easier to install.

I am pretty confident you won’t require complex tools to install it. Though iSpring RCB3p is easy to install but changing its filters is a tough job. That’s the drawback which I found when I tried to replace the filters. And it’s all because of its canister’s o-ring which comes unseated. Even if you try to seat it correctly it will start leaking.

PROS:

• Freestanding metal frame for easier installation
• A pre-installed pressure gauge keeps you updated on the water pressure.
• Reduces bad odor and improves the taste of water
• With 5 filtration stages

CONS:

• o-ring is pretty tricky to seat properly

 

 

2. Hydro-Logic 31023 – Best Reverse osmosis system for home

When it comes to the best Reverse osmosis system for home Hydro-Logic Evolution is the best choice ever. It’s a perfect image of an efficient and durable residential reverse osmosis system. Hydro-Logic evolution is a tankless RO system and even then it is capable of producing 1000 gallons of purified water per day. It is best for home use but it can be used for commercial purposes as well.

The well water in my household is extremely hard at 950 to 1000 ppm, and after going through nine other filters, it ended up in my storage tank at 420 ppm. The family only used it to shower and wash dishes; they didn’t flush the toilets.

There were stains on the toilet seats, so I had to spend the cash. After upgrading to the Evolution 1000 (which now has a capacity of 1200 GPD), the readings decreased down to 28 ppm. It’s fantastic! If I want, I can now drink that water.

The system is pretty durable and has a comparatively longer life span. All thanks to its high-quality propylene construction. Now let’s talk about the performance of Hydrologic, when we tested this system we found out that it has two hearts- in simple language two RO membranes along with KDF pre-filter.

Altogether it uses three stages of Filtration. This means you will get double RO-treated water. It is capable of eliminating harmful contaminants from your water making it pure and clean to consume.

Hydro logic Evolution RO1000 features a high flow rate and that’s why it has got production rate of about 1000 gallons per day. Besides this, it reduces the level of TDS up to 95 %so that you will be assured that you are drinking clean and purified water.

With all these impressive features, we are not happy with its waste to purified water ratio that is 2:1 which means for producing 1 gallon of purified water it has to waste 2 gallons of water.

Also, it lacks a sediment pre-filter which holds large particles and prevents clogging of the membrane. That’s not a big issue though you can buy sediment filters separately and protect the RO membranes from clogging.

PROS:

• High flow system
• Tankless system
• With dual RO membrane
• Produces 1000 gallons of water per day

CONS:

• No pre-sediment filter
• Not impressive waster to purified water ratio

 

 

3. WECO HydroSense – Best whole house reverse osmosis system

The list of best whole house reverse osmosis system is incomplete without WECO hydro sense. We have tested this product personally. That’s why we can boldly say, that it’s not only the best whole house water system but also a commercial-grade RO system.

You can install it in schools, libraries, restaurants to get instant access to safe and pure drinking water. Besides this, it’s a great RO system for hydroponic growing operations.

WECO hydroSense is available in 5 different versions on the basis of filtration media. But the one we tested was HydroSense-0500GAC-CAL-UV as it features 0.5micron of granular activated carbon post-filter to remove unpleasant odors and taste with a UV filter stage and carbon post filter.

Since we are a big family of 8 persons and we have to stored water in holding tanks due to which there comes a pungent smell and odor in water. When using WECO HyrdoSense-0500GAC we did not experience any smell and odor in water. This is really impressive for our whole household. The UV- Filter and Post carbon filter gives a finishing touch to water.

Other than the granular activated carbon filter it has a pre-sediment filter to hold on any large particles that might clog the pores of the filter medium. Then comes the GAC filter which is then followed by the reverse osmosis membrane. It has got five RO membranes with a 100 GPD rate for each.

Like other RO systems, here water pressure Is boosted for this purpose, it has got automatic electric booster pumps with pressure sensors which assure that the system is working in perfect condition.

Besides purifying your water HydroSense also remineralizes your water and adjusts its pH so that your pipes and plumbings remain safe from corrosion.

One drawback that we observed is, it’s a bit tricky to install. You need to take help from a licensed plumber to install it to be used as a whole house RO system.

PROS:

• Built-in booster pumps
• Removes 98.5% of the contaminants
• Ideal for big families
• Can be used for commercial purpose as well

CONS:

• A bit tricky to install

 

 

4. iSpring RCS5T 500 GPD – Best whole house reverse osmosis system for well water

Last one on my list of the whole house RO water system is again from the house of iSpring. It does a great job of cleaning and purifying water.

Because my old R.O. was sluggish, I decided to buy this unit because 5 gallons of waste equates to 1 gallon of R.O.. I was impressed by the claim that it is a 1:1 ratio. I purchased it and put it through its paces on numerous occasions. It consistently produced 2 gallons of waste for every 1 gallon of R.O.. It’s simple to test, and I’m confident iSpring knows what they’re doing. It’s false advertising since the volume isn’t very good and the proportionally better waste-to-R.O ratio than most R.O. units

ISpring RCS5T has got 5 filtration stages that are sediment filter, GAC, a carbon block filter, RO membranes, and a post-carbon filter. Out of these 5 filtration stages, the initial three are the pre-filtration process that removes dust, dirt, and large particles to protect the membranes from clogging. Whereas, RO membrane removes heavy metals. However, the post-carbon filter removes chlorine and enhances the taste and odor of water.

Interestingly, iSpring RCS5T has got an amazing capacity. It can produce up to 500 gallons per day which is more than enough for your daily need. It is pretty efficient in terms of saving water as it saves up to 60% of your water.

You can check it by its low drain to clean water ratio which is 1:1. This is what is stated by the iSpring but in actual it produces more wastewater which is not even close to the 1:1 ratio. Like for every 1 gallon it produces 3 gallons of wastewater. This is pretty annoying.

Apart from this, there are built-in booster pumps that are responsible to increase the water pressure so that the production of clean water may increase. As far as its installation is concerned, it’s like a breeze. You can easily do it yourself with some simple tools. Similarly, maintenance is also easy all you have to do is replace the filter cartridges as per your water usage.

It features a built-in pressure gauge which will let you know when it’s time to change the filter cartridges. ISpring RCS5T is a tankless RO water system that can be used for household purposes as well. Even for light commercial use, it’s a great water system.

PROS:

• 5 filtration stages ensure pure and clean water
• Impressive daily output
• With a built-in pressure booster pump
• Easy to maintain and install

CONS:

• Produces more wastewater than the stated ration
• The instruction manual is pretty vague

 

 

Whole House Reverse Osmosis System – Buying Guide

Reverse osmosis water treatment is one of the highly effective water treatments that claim to removes the majority of the contaminants from water. That’s the reason Reverse osmosis plants are used in pharmaceutical industries to remove all contaminants from water. The contaminant rejection rate is between 95-99.9 percent.

For household purposes, an RO system can be installed under the kitchen sink. In fact, there are countertop RO systems as well that you can keep on the kitchen counter. Frankly speaking, investing in a whole house RO system would be a great decision as you will get clean and pure water from every faucet of your home.

How RO System Does Produce Clean Water?

Remember the osmosis process, where a solvent flows from low concentration to high concentration across a semi-permeable membrane. Reverse osmosis, as the name suggests is the opposite of osmosis. In reverse osmosis, solvent flows from high concentration to low concentration across the semi-permeable membrane. Since the water is flowing against the potential gradient so external pressure has to be applied to increase the flow of water. While the water which has a high concentration of salt (contaminants) is flowing through the semi-permeable membrane. All the contaminants will be held at the high concentration side. Therefore at the low concentration side, you will get pure water that is free from all impurities.

A semi-permeable membrane is pretty delicate and has a very small pore size. So to prevent clogging of pores, pre-filters are installed before RO filter such as pre-sediment filter o carbon filter. Besides this, post-filters are also used which maintain the pH of water. Post filter such as calcite filter is used to increase the mineral content of purified water.

What Are the Advantages of the Whole House RO Water System:

There are numerous advantages of whole house RO water system but some of them are:

• CLEAN AND PURE WATER:

The whole house RO water system gives access to contaminants and impurities-free water from every faucet of your home.

You can consume RO purified water in drinking and cooking as it is 99.9% free from heavy metals, bacteria, and other contaminants.

• ENHANCES TASTE/ODOR OF WATER:

There are many households that are supplied with clean water but with the pungent smell of chlorine. Residential reverse osmosis system eliminates the smell and unpleasant taste of water by removing certain chemicals such as chlorine, ammonia, and others. Eventually, when RO purified water is used in meal preparation, it will definitely taste divine.

• HEALTHY AND GLOWING SKIN AND HAIRS:

Chlorinated water makes your hair dry and brittle and the same goes with skin. The whole house RO system produces not only chlorine-free water but also has less hard minerals. Therefore, your hairs and skin will become healthy and glowing with constant use of RO purified water.

• INCREASE DURABILITY OF YOUR APPLIANCES:

Limescale, sulfur, and iron deposits may cause damage to your precious appliances such as dishwasher, washing machine, and coffee maker. The whole house RO system enhances the life of these appliances by providing pure water with less mineral content.

What Are the Disadvantages of the Whole House RO Water System:

With so many benefits of residential reverse osmosis system, there are some disadvantages too which are as follow:

• Water wastage:

Unlike other filtration processes, an RO system produces water waste. For producing every gallon of water, the system wastes some gallons of water.

• Tricky installation:

The whole house water softener has to be installed at the main water line that is entering the household. Therefore, its installation is a bit complicated. You will need a plumber to install it.

Factors to Consider Before Purchasing the Whole House RO System:

Purchasing an RO system for the first time could be a bit difficult for you as it involves lots of technicalities. Also with so many options available in the market, choosing the right and perfect RO system becomes a weighty question. Here we have added some factors that you need to look into before buying the best whole house RO system.

Let’s start!

•  ELECTRIC PRESSURE BOOSTER PUMP:

While purchasing a RO system, make sure that it should have electric pressure booster pumps. These pumps are quite useful in elevating the pressure of water therefore water moves with enough pressure to enter the RO system quickly. Nowadays latest model of the whole house RO system comes with a pre-installed electric pressure booster pump.

• WATER WASTE RATIO:

One of the biggest excuses of people for not using the RO system is they waste a high amount of water. Usually, RO water produces a clean gallon of water by wasting a good amount of water. Luckily, there are many whole house RO systems in the market that offers low water waste ratios such as 1:1. With the advancement of technology and RO membranes, the system produces less waste to pure water ratio. Therefore always look for such RO system that has less water waste ratio. One example is iSpring RCS5T which has a 1:1 ratio.

• FILTRATION STAGES:

The semi-permeable membrane stage is the real heart of the RO system. But there should be some pre and post filtrations stages as well that in turn increase the life of the semi-permeable membrane. Therefore, the final water has 0 ppm of impurities. So, always choose a RO system that has at least five stages of filtration. This will ensure crystal clear drinking water with no contaminants at all. ISpring RCB3P and RCS5T are the perfect examples of such RO water systems.

• SIZE OF FILTERS:

Normally, RO systems come with small-size filters that is 10”. Though it’s a standard size but it produces purified water at a very slow speed as the filtration surface area is small.

But now there are some models that are fitted with large filters around 20”. A large filter offers a large surface area and thereby produces a large amount of water. So look for such an RO system that has oversized filters as they reduce the waste to pure water ratio.

OUR VERDICT:

Clean and pure water not only keeps you healthy but also makes your mind energetic and active. So that you can focus on your daily activities properly. Not only for humans but for plants RO purified water is pretty useful. Water produced by the whole house Ro water system is capable enough to fulfill the demand of every member of your household. It’s a great investment that you won’t regret your decision anytime.

How long does a whole house  RO system last?

If you properly maintained and replace cartridges, the whole house RO system will easily last for about 10-15 years.

Is reverse osmosis produces the cleanest water?

Yes, this is one of the benefits of the whole house RO water system. Ro systems work at the molecular level as they permit only water molecules to pass through the membrane. Therefore, producing the cleanest and purest form of water

How much does a whole house reverse osmosis system cost?

The whole house RO systems are a bit pricey but trust me it’s a one-time investment that will last longer. You need to invest $12,000- $18000 including installation to purchase an advanced and superior whole house RO system.

Do I need a whole house RO filter if I own a water softener?

A water softener eliminates hard water mineral ions. It has little or no impact on bad chemicals and other pollutants in the water.

Why you shouldn’t use reverse osmosis?

When unfiltered water, which lacks the necessary minerals, is taken into the body, it leaches minerals away. This means that the minerals consumed in food and supplements are being eliminated through urination. There are significant negative side effects and major health issues when there are less minerals eaten combined with more mineral loss.

Is RO water banned in Europe?

The use of RO water and RO water filter purifiers is not prohibited by any country.

How much does it cost to install a whole house water filtration system?

Whole house water filters cost between $600 and $4,200 to install. Commercial-grade systems cost anything from $5,000 to $14,000 to buy and put in place. Most units cost between $300 and $3,500 depending on the type of filtration, the number of stages included, and how much water it can clean.

Is it bad to drink reverse osmosis water?

Reverse osmosis and distillation water that has a low mineral content (TDS) is not safe for long-term human consumption, according to the World Health Organization. Reverse osmosis or distillation water with a low mineral content (TDS) may also have negative health effects on those who drink it. For many people, this lack of minerals will affect the flavor negatively.

What are the disadvantages of reverse osmosis?

Reverse osmosis does not make sense for treating all of the water that comes into your house. The major drawback is the amount of water lost during the process. Between 2 and 20 gallons of water are lost for each gallon produced using reverse osmosis machines. Reverse osmosis units are expensive to buy and run.

Which is better boiled water or RO water?

Boiling water is effective at removing bacteria, but not toxic wastes and chemicals. The removal of metal and chemical pollutants in water is possible with RO purification. However, all potentially hazardous metals poisons would be removed. While boiling, some water may evaporate as steam, thus lowering the quantity of water consumed during the cooking process.

Does a whole house water filter reduce water pressure?

The previous homeowner had a whole house filter, and it did an excellent job. It may also decrease water pressure if your home’s water filter becomes clogged.

Does a water filtration system add value to home?

Filtered water straight from any faucet in the house — it’s pure luxury, and this convenience will pay off now and later when it’s time to sell.

Is reverse osmosis water bad for coffee makers?

The disadvantage of utilizing reverse osmosis water (or distilled) to make coffee is that it also lacks beneficial minerals, such as metallic ions, which extract the bean’s fragrant components. The coffee will be bland if there are no ions.

How do you Remineralize reverse osmosis water?

Instead of ordinary table salt, expensive imported sea salt or natural salt, such as Himalayan salt, contains all the necessary trace minerals that are removed during the reverse osmosis process. This is one of the most cost-effective techniques for restoring water’s mineral content.