Water Softeners and Air Filtration Systems - watts premier RO WP-5 versus uswatersystems RO-5

Who actually makes this RO system? Both of the above looks identical.

I did a search in this forum and one person states that Watts makes their own RO and another states that Watts do not.

I am doing research on an RO system and has narrowed down to a NSF certified 58 standard Watts Premier system, maybe the system at Costco. I plan to add a permeate pump and a dilivery pump since I will be installing the unit in the garage and running plastic water lines to the ice maker, and two sinks. I will also add an UV light.

Any other suggestions or tips would be appreciated.

Thank you.

I'd get the Watts Premier but not the WP-5. I'd get the TFM-5SV that is sold locally for less money at the Sam's Club. The WP-5 (and US water systems) uses a proprietary membrane that might be a little harder to find and more expensive when you need one. Seems that all the one-piece manifold ROs use the less common membrane. The TFM-5SV uses all standard replacables. While Watts Premier might not make everything in the box they make some of it and stand behind all of it.

I like Watts Premier because they've been around quite a while and they answer their phone. 800 number and they seem to care about customer service.

US Water Systems seem like another internet clone reseller who makes nothing they sell (not necessarily a bad thing) but dealing with Watts Premier you're talking to the company whose name is on the box AND the RO.

JMO

Unless you have a subzero refirgerator system, the delivery pump will not benefit your ro system. If you don't have a subzero, you should use a Shurflo accumulator (ideally with 3/8" connections & tubing) to feed your icemaker line or flow & ice cube production may be limited. We routinely combine permeate boosters & Shurflo accumulators as a standard icemaker connection for our ro's with great results for our customers.

Is the reason for the UV lamp because you have a private well? If you're on a safe municipal water system, the UV lamp is overkill and an extra component to regularly service & maintain. Good luck out there.

Art

Art and justalurker,

Thank you both for your information.

I will check out the Shurflo accumulators. The reason I wanted to put in a delivery pump is that the .6 gpm flow rate is too slow for me when filling up a large pot and that the ice maker is about 10 feet away from the RO unit, which is in the garage.

The UV is for my peace of mind.

Thanks again to both.

It might look whacky but you could also plumb in an ro faucet in the cabinet next to your fridge with 3/8" tubing for good flow.

At Costco, there is a sale for a zero waste RO unit from Watts Premier. I downloaded the installation manual and it said to install the RO a minimum of 25 feet from the hot water heater. Does any one know why this is? I want to install my RO in the garage about four feet from the water heater.

Thanks.

Rather than guess, the answer to that question might be at the WattsPremier customer service department from 8:00am to 5:00pm MST at 800-752-5582

It's to protect the ro membrane from potential heat backflow. Membrane damage begins at 85 degrees so the farther away the ro is placed from the hot water heater on that unit (after the minimum 25'), the better. When heat damage begins, the membrane experiences TDS bleed, imparting back the dissolved solids into your drinking water you're trying to filter out.

Art

Is a booster pump and delivery pump the same pump, but the connection is different? Connected at the output of the tank makes it a delivery pump?

Is a Shurflo accumulator a pump? It seems like a pressurized holding tank. Am I correct? Is it used in place of the RO tank or in addition to the RO tank?

Thanks.

No, they are different devices. A booster pump will increase pressure thru the r/o system and will increase the rejection at the membrane. I recommend it for a private well application especially when nitrates are present since water pressure is typically too low and the chance of TDS creep (and reduced rejection of unwanted elements) will be more likely. A delivery pump will draw the water from the tank to either a faucet and/or fridge at a higher constant flow rate.

The Shurflo accumulator is not a pump. It is pressurized and holds about 5 oz of water volume to effectively drive thru the solenoid valves of newer refrigerator water dispensers in conjunction with either a permeate booster or booster pump. It does not replace an ro tank