If you’re wondering about whether you need a more advanced water filter, you’ve come to the right place. Having an under counter water filtration system may seem unnecessary. You may be thinking that a simple water filter jug will do the trick. However, an under-counter filter system can do some wonderful things for the water quality throughout your home resulting in softer, safer water for cleaning, cooking, and drinking. In this article, we’ll explain the importance of having a filtration system in more detail, then we’ll review the APEC top tier 5-stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System. Keep reading to find out whether this filtration system is the best one for your home.
What is an Under Counter Water Filtration System?
An under-counter water filtration system is unlike a water filter jug, or a large home filtration system. A jug filter takes tap water and filters it for consumption in small quantities, and a home water filtration system filters all of your home’s water supply before it ever leaves your taps.
An under counter water filter system is installed directly below your sink. This filtration system filters all of the water that flows through this sink tap. The process involves running the water through cartridges that remove impurities before the water enters the tap.
Why Do You Need an Under Counter Filtration System?
Most water suppliers in the United States are quite reliable. Tap water is generally safe to drink, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take precautions to ensure that you are consuming the healthiest water possible. Studies show that 85% of water is safe in the US. For the rest of the population, (usually people in small rural areas) the tap water may be at risk of containing dangerous contaminants that are unsafe to drink. Even in areas where water is generally safe, contaminants can occasionally find their way into the water. Check out this guide to common contaminants found in tap water across the country.
There are also other reasons why having a filtration system can be useful in your home. Even if your water is deemed safe to drink, it might still be quite hard. Hard water is water that has a high mineral count. While hard water is not a health hazard, it can create limescale buildup on your pots and pans and in your kettle. It can also be harmful for your skin and hair.
By installing an under-counter filtration system, you will ensure that the water coming from your tap is always safe. Plus, unlike a filter jug, you will automatically be using safe water for your cooking and dishwashing as well.
APEC top tier 5-stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System Review
Let’s get into the review of the APEC reverse osmosis water filter. Here are a few key points about this filter:
- Made in the USA
- Removes arsenic, chlorine, lead, fluoride, heavy metals, bacteria, viruses and more
- Long-lasting filters
- Comes with a lead-free faucet
- DIY installation
Overview
The APEC top tier 5-stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System has a lot of positive aspects. First of all, it can filter 90 gallons of water per day, a highly competitive rate in the filtration industry. The filter boasts an advanced technologiCal design that uses 5 separate stages of filtration. APEC claims to remove up to 99% of all contaminants in the water.
This filter can treat both tap water and well water. If you have your own water supply from a nearby water source, this filter should be good enough for your needs.
Let’s examine the system in more detail to find out whether it’s a good investment.
Filter System
The APEC top tier 5-stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System consists of five different filtration stages to ensure that your water is highly purified before it leaves your taps. The first three filters and the fifth filters are standard cartridges that you would find in just about any other filtration system.
The fourth filter is the one that gives the system its name. During the reverse osmosis stage, the water is pressurized and forced through a membrane. The membrane is designed to remove any particles larger than .0001 microns leaving behind almost totally pure water.
The filter should remove:
- Arsenic
- Chlorine
- Lead
- Fluoride
- Heavy Metals
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Sodium
- Copper
- Chromium
- Radium
- Minerals
Changing the Filters
APEC recommends that the regular filters are changed every 6-12 months. The reverse osmosis filter should be changed every 2-3 years. This timeframe depends on the frequency of use and the original quality of the water.
The filters are fairly simple to change. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use a spanner wrench to loosen the filter, then unscrew by hand. The new cartridge can then be inserted and screwed in tightly.
The fourth and fifth stage filters need to be changed much less frequently, needing to be replaced only once every 2 to 3 years. However, they are more expensive and complex to change. This is to be expected as this component is by far the most intricate and vital part of the system.
Water Efficiency
Reverse osmosis filters almost always involve some wasted water. Some water is used to flush the membrane and create the pressure required. The wasted water goes down the drain. While it is possible to use this wasted water for watering your garden or other non-consumption uses, in most cases, this water will be wasted.
With this system, around 3 gallons are wasted per 1 gallon of water produced. While this number may sound high, the average water wastage for under counter reverse osmosis filters is around 4 gallons per 1 gallon produced. So, in relative terms, this filter is an eco-friendly option.
Installation
This filter is relatively easy to install and comes with all of the necessary parts and instructions. All you will need is a drill, a screwdriver, and an adjustable wrench.
Because the filter comes with its own lead-free faucet, you may need to drill a hole in the counter to install the faucet. As long as you have some DIY skills, the installation process should take less than an hour. The company provides an excellent set of installation instructions as well as some comprehensive step-by-step video guides.
Pros
- 99% of contaminants removed
- Extra filters included with the purchase of the filter
- Long-lasting filters, especially the reverse osmosis filter
- Simple installation with a step-by-step guide and video instructions
- 100% Lead-free faucet
Cons
- Wastes 3 gallons per 1 gallon
- Water tank takes a long time to fill
- Faucet isn’t overly attractive
Final Thoughts
The APEC top tier 5-stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System is a fairly advanced system that is highly effective. The system removes up to 99% of all contaminants from the water. If your water is particularly hard, this system will help to soften it by removing minerals. With its DIY installation guide, easy-to-change filters, and lead-free faucet, this filtration system is a cut above its competition. The major con we see is that it can also be expensive to change the filter.
An under-counter filter is a wonderful investment for the kitchen. While it is less expensive and complex than a home-wide water filtration system, it is more effective and efficient than a simple water filter jug. By installing an under-counter filter, you will ensure that your tap water from that sink is always purified. This way, you can use this tap water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. If you’re interested in learning about under counter water filtration systems, check out this list of other excellent options.
We hope you have found this in-depth review of the APEC top tier 5-stage reverse osmosis filter system useful. We look forward to hearing about our experiences with this under counter system!
