Reverse osmosis is one of the most effective water treatment options available because of its unique design, impressive contaminant removal capabilities, and the wide range of options for those looking for a custom water filtration system.
If you’re interested in purchasing one of these products for yourself, it’s important to make sure that you get the best value for money. Most importantly, you don’t want to pay more than what the product is worth.
Whether you’re buying a water filtration system for your home or office, you should always consider the price, convenience, and lifestyle requirements for any filtration system.
Average Cost of a Reverse Osmosis System
System Type | Average Price Range |
---|---|
Countertop | $300 – $500 |
Under Sink (tankless) | $300 – $600 |
Under Sink (with tank) | $200 – $600 |
Whole Home | $1,500 – $10,000 |
Point of USE (POU) Reverse Osmosis System Cost
In this guide, I will discuss which kinds of filters should be included in a RO water filtration system, and what to expect to pay for different types of RO water filtration systems.
Point-of-use RO water filtration systems are much less expensive than whole house systems because they produce purified water from the source used. There are several different types of point-of-use water filtration systems: countertop, under-sink with tank, and tankless.
Countertop
If you are looking for a countertop RO filter, expect to pay between $300 and $500. Yet, if you’re looking for a more cost effective solution, check out this line of affordable, effective drip irrigation kits. They are very convenient to use and, even better, they do not require a water line to connect them to the water source.
We Recommend: AquaTru Countertop RO System
- Quick ‘plug n play’ setup takes only 3 minutes
- No invasive installation, perfect for renters
- Tested to NSF standards 53, 58, 42, 401, P473
- Much more efficient with a ratio of 4:1 (produced to wastewater)
- Clean water dispensing tank is removable
- Compact, space-saving design
Under Sink (tankless)
If you have a large home, then installing a tankless RO system can be expensive, costing around the $300 – $600 price range.
You should go with an instant-access filter. These systems are easy to use, convenient and cost effective. They eliminate the need for a tank-based system that takes several hours to fill your storage tank with fresh water.
We Recommend: Waterdrop G3P800
- Produces up to 800 gallons per day
- NSF 58 & 372 certified
- Built in booster pump
- Amazing efficiency ratio of 3:1
- 3 filters combine to create 7 stages of filtration
- Super easy filter changes
- Space-saving design
Under Sink (with tank)
The traditional point-of-use reverse osmosis water filter with storage tank is a basic, tried-and-true option for many. An under-sink water filtration system costs between $200 and $600 when it comes with a tank. These are reliable, low-cost systems.
We Recommend: Aquasana OptimH2O
- Produces 35 gallons per day
- NSF certified for removal of 88 contaminants
- Certified NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 58, and 401
- Remineralization filter included
- Includes it’s own dedicated faucet
- Easy twist-on filter replacement
Point of Entry (POE) Whole House Reverse Osmosis Cost
A whole-house RO system can range from about $2,000 to over $4,000, depending on the system you’re looking for. The cost of the system ranges from $1,500 to $10,000, depending on the size and capacity of the system, and whether you purchase the system with any extras.
Whole-home RO systems are generally more expensive than conventional systems because they provide benefits such as improved water quality and distribution throughout your home, eliminating your need for bottled water, softening your home’s water supply, and removing chlorine.
We Recommend: US Water Systems Defender Whole House RO System
- Massive 5:1 efficiency ratio
- Up to 8,000 GPD produced water
- Up to 250 gallon holding tank
- Can be combined with various pre-treatment systems
- Permeate flush increases membrane lifespan
- Optional remineralization and pH neutralization filters
Commercial Reverse Osmosis System Cost
An average home reverse osmosis system costs about $6,000 to $7,000. Amazon is all about speed. You can build a system as large or as small as you want, depending on your needs and budget. Your choice will depend on your budget. There are many commercial units on the market, each ranging from $1,000 to over $10,000.
At this point, it is very hard to make a solid estimate on the cost of such a project.
Factors Affecting Reverse Osmosis System Cost
System Type
The type of reverse osmosis system determines its size, and the bigger the size, the more costly it’ll be. Consider, for example, an entire-home reverse osmosis system. It is typically more expensive than a smaller under-sink or a countertop model.
A reverse osmosis system can typically cost between $200-$600 depending on the brand. With a new tankless water heater, you might need to spend about another $50 or $100. You’ll want to look for a brand that offers lifetime warranty. I would recommend looking for a manufacturer that has a good customer service reputation.
You will need to spend thousands of dollars to install a whole house reverse osmosis system. That’s because these systems are larger and they’re also more expensive than the smaller ones.
System Efficiency
Efficiency of a reverse osmosis system is a measurement of how quickly it produces clean water, and how much water has been lost. Reverse Osmosis systems all waste water during the water treatment process. Many modern systems don’t waste any water, and are much more efficient than the original RO system, so they are less expensive in the long run.
Traditionally, RO has a pure water to wastewater ratio of 1:4, meaning 1 gallon of pure water is produced for every 4 gallons of water wasted. This is the best way to spend your money. It’s the cheapest because you will spend the most money in the long run.
Nowadays, you can find a RO system with improved ratio of 1:2 for as little as $100, and these systems typically have a much lower operating cost than the RO systems with lower ratios.
Filtration Stages
Reverse osmosis systems usually cost more if they have an above-average number of filtration stages. In a typical reverse osmosis system, water flows through four stages: a pre-sediment filter, a carbon filter, a semi-permeable membrane and a post-filter.
This kind of system is capable of removing more than 99.9% of TDS (total dissolved solids) from water. A: In the first place, the goal is to provide high-quality service to my customers. While not all systems offer this much filtering, some do. Some models are even built with up to 10 or 12 stages of filtration.
Adding extra stages to your reverse osmosis system makes the water cleaner and more pure than ever before. Extra stage filters are an optional extra to your water filter system. These filter stages will reduce chlorine from the water and may have health benefits.
If you have many filters in your system, it will take longer to replace them. It will also cost more money to replace them, so you need to balance the trade-offs that come with choosing more or fewer filters. You should really consider buying a reverse osmosis water filtration system if you live in a hot, humid climate where you use lots of bottled water, or if you have hard water.
Brand
If you want the best water purification system, you need to make sure that it has the right number of filters and the best filter media. Reverse osmosis filtration is the only method that removes chemicals and contaminants, such as lead, from drinking water. However, some people don’t like the smell or feel of it. They are also interested in the health benefits of drinking pure water.
Water treatment systems that are capable of removing more than 99.9% of TDS from water can be effective for treating domestic and industrial wastewater. This may sound too good to be true, but a 10 or 12 stage system is very common, and many people who do install them love the extra quality they add to their water.
Having extra filtration stages means that the water that’s produced will be just as clean and pure as it gets. You can add carbon, GAC, alkaline, or mineral filters to your extra-stage water filter. These filters may be additional carbon block, GAC, alkaline or mineral filters.
A higher number of filters means you’ll have to spend more money replacing filters. A reverse osmosis water filtration system is a good investment because it has 10 filter stages and you will see some great savings on your water bills, but don’t assume that it will make much of a difference to your water quality.
Certifications
Certified reverse osmosis systems are expensive because they’re reliable and they deliver great results.I’ve seen many people say that the new E30 M3 is just as good of car in their eyes as the e36.
One of the most sought-after certifications for reverse osmosis systems is NSF/ANSI 58, which is the national standard for RO units. It means that the system has been tested and deemed effective, and it meets quality requirements for contaminant removal and system functionality.
Reverse osmosis systems do not require NSF certification if they are used for drinking water only, although they do need to be UL listed to protect against electrical hazards. An NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) certified product means that the manufacturer has gone to the trouble to make sure that its product is safe.
That’s a good thing because it indicates the manufacturer is paying attention to quality control and consumer protection. It is for this reason that filter manufacturers who have NSF certification can charge a premium for their filters.
Some brands use a lingo like “tested to NSF certification 53”, which is not actually a certification of any kind. If a system has been certified it must have an NSF document proving that it has been certified. Check customer reviews to make sure the product is good quality, or ask the manufacturer if you’re not sure.
Add-ons
You have a number of options when it comes to purchasing an under-sink reverse osmosis system. Having a well-functioning reverse osmosis system and a low-maintenance water softener can make all the difference to the life and enjoyment of your family and friends.
While many people will tell you that the best tasting filtered water comes from the tap, you may find yourself preferring one of these filters. Some even claim to help improve your health! One example of a remineralization filter is for instance, a system that makes sure the water you drink is free of contaminants, but it contains healthy minerals.
UV lights can kill bacteria and viruses that are in your tap water. If your water pressure is low, a booster pump can make your RO unit work more efficiently. Your prices will depend on what you’re adding to your campaign.
Many manufacturers are offering discounts on your RO water purification system when you add one of their water treatment products. If you already plan to buy a second unit later, it might be worthwhile to make a joint upfront purchase, which can often save you even more money.
You can expect to pay $100-$600 for a UV purification lamp and $50-$100 for a remineralization filter. Most water softeners cost at least $1,000.
Reverse Osmosis System Installation Cost
Your water supply will likely be better in terms of the quality and the volume of water, and you’ll no longer have to use the same large amounts of chemicals to disinfect the water that you used to. Your exact costs are dependent on what you have to purchase, so it’s hard to say exactly.
The most common system that connects to your water supply is the PEX or copper pipe system. The next-most-common systems are the rigid and semi-rigid PVC. An under-sink or whole-house reverse osmosis system is a must-have for every home.
You can pick up a bottle of spray paint for less than $10 at your local hardware store, so this is not a huge additional cost to consider. If you’ve already got a solar power system and it’s working fine, you’ll probably not have to pay for someone to install it for you.
This is a good thing to know before installing your whole house reverse osmosis system. Get this wrong and you could cut off your water supply. The installation process for the RO system you’re considering should be your first priority.
Read some of the user guides and learn how to use the system. Whether you’ve got a great idea, or are just really good at DIY, go for it!
If you think it’s going to cost you more than just fixing it yourself, you know what to do. The only water filtration system that is worth spending money on is a countertop RO system. This system will filter and clean your water, and it comes with all the parts required.
RO System Maintainece & Operating Costs
A water purification system isn’t the cheapest purchase around, but over time, it will help you save money by reducing the amount of cleaning
Here are some of the most common maintenance and operating costs of a home:
Membrane & Filter Replacement
A water filter doesn’t last forever, and the same goes for a reverse osmosis system. The carbon filter, sediment filter, post-filter and reverse osmosis membrane should all be replaced if the water coming through the system does not meet your expectations.
If you don’t replace your filters, they’ll eventually become so clogged with sediment that you’ll experience problems with your water pressure. This may cause a filter to not even produce the correct results. This is a common problem with filters.
The cost of new water filter cartridges can be substantial, especially if you buy them from the manufacturer and not a distributor. You’ll also need to replace a new reverse osmosis membrane every two years. Usually, a set of three filters and a single RO membrane will cost between $50 and $70, depending on the brand.
If you’re in the market for new filters, look out for discount codes and special promotions from the manufacturer or online retailer where you purchased the filters. They might be able to save you a few bucks by simply offering you a coupon code for $20 off.
Wastewater
If you want to get the best results when using a reverse osmosis water filter, there’s no avoiding water waste. If you don’t want to see a significant increase in your water bill, then it’s time to get a water softener. A whole-home RO system uses the most water because you’re using it the most.
However, this sewage isn’t likely to be noticeable in your household budget. If you want to save money on your utility bill, consider buying a water-saving faucet. It can make a big difference in how much water you use.
Electricity
Under-sink and whole-home reverse osmosis systems don’t use electricity to operate, as they use water pressure to send water through their filtering stages. Countertop water filters are a great choice, since they remove contaminants, and you don’t need electricity to clean the water.
In theory, most lights don’t use more power than a standard light bulb, so the impact should be minimal. You’ll need electrical power to run your system, and you should consider how much electricity your system will use when making the decision about which option to choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RO system cost worth it?
There are many factors that go into choosing the right product, including the quality of the product and what features are important to you. Assuming you’ve purchased the top-of-the-range system, then yes, the investment is worthwhile.
This is especially the case if you only drink bottled water, as you can save hundreds of dollars per year by switching to an effective at-home water treatment solution. Your money will quickly return to you through your year-by-year profits from your business. Remember, also, that most reverse osmosis systems last about 10 years.
The first thing you want to do is make sure your system is in tip top condition. Make sure you clean and replace any worn out parts. If you spend $600 plus $50 per year on changing your filters, that’s a pretty hefty price to pay for what is a simple service.
You might not see a lot of money right away, but over the course of 10 years that’s about $900 in savings. Of course, repairing a reverse osmosis system costs far more money, and some of the repair costs can easily reach $500. I think it’s best to give your unit a thorough check-over at least once every 6 months or so, just to make sure everything is working as it should.
Where can I buy an RO system?
There are many online stores that carry a wide variety of high-quality water filtration products at competitive prices. Online shopping gives you the advantage of being able to read other people’s reviews to see how a product really performs.
It’s always possible to find a better deal, if there is one available. A majority of manufacturers offer free shipping throughout the country, too, which is a great perk to take advantage of.
What is the cost of a reverse osmosis system per gallon?
It’s not hard to give an exact figure, but it depends on how efficiently your RO system can filter water and where in your home it’s installed. However, the average cost per gallon of a new car is about $1,400. Considering the average person drinks about one and a half gallons of water each day, this isn’t a price you can afford to ignore.
What type of RO system is for me?
Asking about the future without knowing your budget, location, or the demand for what you want to sell is pointless. The best way to get the best taste out of your tap water is to install a Whole Home Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System. If you use good water, but your water source is bad enough to require whole-home RO filtration, it may be something you need to consider.