APEC 90 GPD RO Water Filter System review

Introduction

Enjoy fresh, great tasting water right at home that is perfect for drinking, cooking and making delicious coffee, tea and ice. [amazon link=”B07GFVCRHQ” title=”APEC 90 GPD RO Water Filter System ” /] is WQA Gold Seal certified to remove up to 99% of harmful water contaminants such as chlorine, taste, odor, VOCs, as well as toxic fluoride, arsenic, lead, nitrates, heavy metals and much more. Save money, time and hassle from buying costly bottled water and live healthier with safe, contaminant free drinking water. 

Details

Designed, engineered and assembled in USA, [amazon link=”B07GFVCRHQ” title=”APEC 90 GPD RO Water Filter System ” /] is put through a rigorous quality control process to eliminate the slightest component imperfection, ensuring a smooth running system that is free from noises, leaks and clogs. Compared to cost cutting plastic or frame-less systems that require total disassembly of the system to change filters, APEC premium metal framed construction prevents kinks and leaks in tubing damage, prohibiting vibration and noises. It also makes identifying and replacing filters intuitive and easy. 

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The pro-grade leak-free housings hold super capacity block filters that offer 2X capacity, higher rejection rate compared to smaller all in one filters, making RO-90 virtually maintenance free. Rated at 90 GPD, Dow Filmtec membrane provides fastest production rate for large family who demands the best. Based in the US with 2 decades of experience in RO design and production, APEC Water is committed in producing top performing systems that provide trouble-free, high quality drinking water for many years to come.

• Premium quality system, using only certified components guaranteeing contaminant free pure water
• WQA gold seal certified to remove chlorine taste, odors and up to 99% of harmful contaminants found in tap water
• 90 GPD industry leading dow filmtec membrane and high flow filters and tubing provide highest output rate and no wait time for drinking water
• Large super capacity solid block filters deliver 2X contaminant removing capacity and fewer filter change outs compared to smaller filters that clog up quickly
• Solid metal framed construction that prevents kinks and leaks in tubing damage, while also prohibiting vibration and noises
• Simple and organized, RO-90 is designed to make identifying and replacing filters intuitive and easy
• Water saving design offers low rinse water ratio and automatic shut off feature, making the system eco-friendly
• Every RO-90 includes a high quality, lead-free designer faucet in a chrome colored finish
• Comes with complete filter set, system head, filter housings, color coded tubing, 4 Gal. storage tank, luxury designer faucet, installation kit and detailed owner's manual

Upgraded quick dispense design for your RO system will greatly increase the flow rate of water from the tank to the faucet. The higher water flow will allow you to fill up a glass or pitcher of water 2X faster. Reduces wait time when drawing and filling large pots of water for making soups or beverages.

RO-Hi uses only top-rated, US-made filters, like the industry leading Dow Filmtec Membrane, resulting in complete water purification not available from basic filters. Our super-capacity filters deliver 2X the capacity AND service life of other brands while the membrane provides the highest rejection capability and durability. Enjoy the longest-lasting performance and low maintenance with these industry-leading filters!

Our double carbon blocks are uniquely designed in achieving the maximum possible chlorine & chemicals removal in drinking water. The extremely large carbon block surface maximizes contact time to guarantee water purity and multiplies lifetime of filters and membranes.

All US MADE super high capacity filters:

1st stage: High-grade & high-capacity polypropylene sediment filter – removes dust, particles, and rust. Protects and extends the life of the membrane and system.

2nd stage & 3rd stage: Premium extruded carbon block – gets rid of unpleasant chlorine, tastes, odors, cloudiness and colors. Also removes VOC and other common chemicals from the water.

4th stage: Industry's highest quality FILMTEC (DOW chemical) high rejection TFC reverse osmosis membrane. Removes up to 99% of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and contaminants such as arsenic, lead, fluoride, chromium, radium, bacteria, viruses and much more.

5th stage: Advanced coconut shell refining carbon – Total Contamination Removal (TCR) filter removes any possible residual taste from the tank.

Features

• Enjoy unlimited ultra-fresh, clean, great tasting water right at home. Save money, time and hassle of buying costly, bottled water
• Designed, engineered and assembled in USA, RO-90 is the most durable system in the industry to guarantee water safety & your health
• Tested and certified by WQA to remove up to 99% of contaminants including arsenic, chlorine, lead, fluoride, heavy metals, bacteria, virus and 1000+ contaminants
• Large super capacity filters deliver 2X contaminant removing capacity for fewer filter change outs compared to smaller all-in-one filters that clog up quickly
• Comes with 100% lead-free designer faucet, plus FDA Certified JG Food grade tubing to provide safe, contamination-free pure water. The original, top-notch JG Quick Connect fittings for easy and secure leak-seal
• Simple and organized, RO-90 is designed to make identifying and replacing filters intuitive and easy
• Provides you the ultimate satisfaction and peace of mind with our lifetime support and 2 year manufacturer warranty with registration.

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User Reviews

Review 1

A lot of good descriptive reviews here, I'll add mine here but will focus on my perspective as someone living in Israel.

Israel is an arid country which in recent years made a big transition to desalination. The national water company (called “Mekorot”) is using >50% desalinated water from the Mediterranean Sea mixed with about 25% water taken from the Galilee sea (which is actually a fresh water lake) and the rest comes from mountain and coastal plain aquifer. Water then travels in the “national conduit” to various regions in Israel.

The water in Israel are heavily treated, mostly because the national conduit is an open system, i.e. water travel in big pipes that are open to air and elements (e.g. rain water), but also because aquifer can become polluted with industrial waster and fertilizers, so does the Galilee sea.
Also chlorine is added and recently fluoride as well. not to mention whatever is picked up from pipes until it reaches the kitchen tap.

Local mineral water companies (with strong brands) draw from fountains in mountainous areas and bottle onsite, but are exposed to the same contamination of aquifer. For instance, one very strong brand I examined had 3 times of what considered (in the U.S) the max safe concentration of nitrates.

I hope I'm successful so far at convincing you why water filtration is important in Israel.

Now comes the question, what are the options? for most people in Israel who don't want to research too much it's these:
1. water pitcher filters, like Brita
2. Tami4 – a water bar that combines carbon filter with UV lamp
3. bottled water, e.g. mineral water
4. there are some local vendors who install advanced water filtration systems like Everpure or some Reverse Osmosis systems

Next, why I think all of the above options are either not sufficient or cost effective

water pitcher filter – relatively cheap but only filters chlorine and stops some sediments like dust. you're still exposed to a lot of chemicals and heavy metals in the water

Water bar vendors – VERY high initial investment (~$1000) and high maintenance (~$150 year), not to mention if their equipment breaks you have to pay for repair. Also it's merely a carbon filter with a UV lamp, with some cold/hot function. I really don't think it's worth the money, especially since the UV lamp is there to kill the germs that grow in the machine itself. important to realize the due to the chlorine and UV treatment by the national water company, small chance of bacteria to survive in Israel's normal tap water.

Bottled mineral water – relatively expensive, need to carry from supermarket, or pay a monthly fee to the vendor to deliver to your house. Also not eco friendly (plastic), exposed to aquifer contamination (almost zero regulation and testing by government) and some say under heat conditions plastic can dissolve into the water.
But most importantly, from TDS meter readings I've made, tap water and mineral water have the same TDS levels, while unlikely that healthy mineral concentration (e.g. calcium, magnesium, potassium) is any different. In some brands mineral water TDS was even much higher than normal tap water.

Local Reverse Osmosis Vendors – at best they are importers who lock you in high maintenance fees. worst case they import cheap chinese systems. You pay a premium for them to import, install and maintain the system for you.

I chose APEC RO-90 after hours and hours of research. It's very important for me to say APEC did NOT ask me to write this review and I'm doing it because I think their product and service is amazing and I'd like to give back.

Even after shipping and Israeli customs fees, the RO-90 was cheaper and more cost effective than any of the alternatives I specified.

What I really like
1. packaging was excellent and the product is robust, The system was intact and I had no worry about that.
2. installation was very easy, everything just connects beautifully. I installed it in a few hours (I like to read the manual very thoroughly)
3. water tastes great, even my pregnant wife who is very sensitive to tastes said she liked it
4. TDS went down from 260ppm (tap water) to 15ppm (after RO-90 treatment)
5. the included tap is elegant and fits nicely on our kitchen counter
6. system is VERY quiet, can't hear it
7. customer service is really good, I already talked to them twice about questions I had, they respond really quickly and their reps are knowledgeable.
8. maintenance is cheap considering the other options, and I have full control over the process.

What I don't like
1. the installation guides needs to be more specific about first run – you shouldn't drink first 2-3 tanks, open the tap and let them drain.
2. the feed water adapter should come with more options, I had to buy 1/2'' to 3/8'' adapter to make it work with my pipes – cost me another $10

What still needs to be tested
1. my water bill, but I checked in my house water gauge that the system stops working once the tank is full, so I'm Ok for now.
2. TDS measures at 15-25ppm at the moment, customer service promised it will go down even further, although I'm fine with that level as well.

All in all, I'm am very happy with this product. water quality is excellent and it gives me peace of mind I've made a cost effective and healthy choice.

Final note:
During my internet research on the long term health concerns of reverse osmosis water I've made some interesting discoveries. This is a long subject and I believe I researched it well enough to make an educated decision. I'm tempted to post my thoughts about it here but this review seems long as it is. perhaps some comments might convince me to update this review with some key learnings. For the time being I would like to say this:

Almost all resources you'll find on negative long term health effects of reverse osmosis water are based on the World Health Organization research from the 80's. That research had some notable flaws in it and it tends to dramatize concerns. I believe that for people living in western countries and use home reserve osmosis system most of those concerns are not relevant. Reverse osmosis water are safe to drink, especially if you consider the alternatives.

Review 2

We have a well in our new house that has elevated arsenic (0.020) and radon (15,700). The radon is really high, the arsenic is twice the acceptable limit.

We installed this unit and had a arsenic and radon test done after the install. Our arsenic went from 0.020 to 0.0001. Well less than the 0.010 acceptable limit. Most impressive is the radon results, from 15,700 down to <200. The acceptable limit ranges from 2,000 to 10,000 depending on the state. Because we have a well, we already have low water pressure (42psi), which is on the low side of what is recommended for this unit but acceptable we added the optional permeate pump so our ice maker would work. Our ice maker requires 20psi and as far as I can guess we were getting around 10-15psi. If you have a water filter on the ice maker you can require as much as 40psi unless you put a bypass on it. After installing the permeate pump not only has our ice maker been working, filling cups/bottles from the RO faucet is much faster. You can order pump directly from Amazon and get it for 50% of the price with free shipping. Aquatec AQUATEC-ERP-1000 Permeate Pump It is the same pump they sell from their website, and you can get the directions for the installation by contacting them. The pump comes with instructions, but they are generic and not optimal. Without the pump, the 4 gallon tank will only fill up to 1.9 gallons, and the output water pressure is considerably less.

I was originally looking at the RO 50 unit but opt'd for the RO 90 as you can use the larger cartridges and won't have to replace them as often.

I am considering replacing the 4 gallon tank with the 14 gallon tank. This would give us a larger reserve and more pressure. With the pump though, we have a 3.1 gallon reserve instead of 1.9 gallon without it, so I don't think we will run out.

Review 3

I needed to replace an obsolete RO system that was difficult to find parts for. In searching for a replacement system, I found APEC on-line and called them. The helpline recommended the RO-90 based on my needs. I ordered it on-line and picked it up at the nearest Home Depot 5 days later.

It is a very straightforward system and it was fairly easy to install under the sink. The instructions were very clear and the tubing hook-up was very easy. It is filling now and seems to be working just fine.

Review 4

This is my 3rd purchase of an Apec RO system. The 1st one was left at the home we sold. It was also a selling point for that house.the 2nd one was purchased for our adult children when they rented a apartment. It was the tankless system and finally the RO-HI 90 gpd for our new home. Needless to say we wouldn't buy another brand of RO systems. The systems are not all created equal. About this system purchase. We live on a property with well water. We added the uv and pH option. Typically we install our RO systems in the basement no more then 25 feet away. I find it alot easier to maintain the system when your not crammed under a sink trying to change filters. The key to this is your line from the system to the faucet can not run more then 15ft vertical and 40ft horizontal. Instructions are pretty self explanatory. If you have basic plumbing skills this system can be installed by you or if your don't feel comfortable doing the install your self , well then you get a plumber. Every penny spent on these systems pay you back tenfold with crisp clean safe drinking water. I love these systems for the quality and reliability. Hopefully this review helps that person who wants an RO system but isn't sure which one to purchase. I researched these for over a year before we decided on Apec.. comparison after comparison these systems take the number 1 spot.

Conclusion

The APEC Water System was very easy to install especially with their step by step videos online. The only hard part was drilling through granite. It took me about 1.5 hours to complete including the unboxing time. With a side by side comparison between the water I used to drink (tap) versus APEC Water Systems Ultimate you can really taste the difference. I should have bought this years ago!