The best way of protecting your loved ones from possible health complications caused by drinking contaminated water is to invest in a reverse osmosis system.
Reverse osmosis systems remove commonly found impurities in water like arsenic, lead, and fluoride chlorine, among others. In fact, no other water purifier used in homes can reduce TDS and heavy metals.
But how do you select the best RO system when there are so many in the market?
Don’t worry. We’ve narrowed down your search to save you the painstaking effort of picking through the wide range of options.
In this post, we compare two high-quality RO systems from 2 top brands in the industry, spring and Home Master – The Ispring RCC1UP-AK and the Home Master TMAFC-ERP-L.
Comparison Chart
| Feature | ispring RCC1UP-AK | Home Master TMAFC-ERP-L |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 17 x 14 x 25.5 inches | 20 x 16 x 12 inches |
| Weight | 35.2 pounds | 16.45 pound |
| Water flow rate | 100 gallons of water per day | 75 gallons of water per day |
| Faucet type | Lead-free brushed nickel faucet | Luxury standard brushed nickel RO faucet |
| UV lamp | Available | Not available |
| Number of remineralization filters | one | Two |
| Warranty period | 1 year | 5 years |
| Price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
iSpring RCC1UP-AK Overview
The Ispring RCC1UP-AK is an under sink 7-stage RO system that eliminates up to 99% of contaminants in water, including fluoride, lead, arsenic, asbestos, and chlorine, among others.
The system produces 100 gallons of pure water per day, comes with an electric booster pump that enables standard RO performance, and a UV lamp that kills bacteria and other microorganisms.
Although highly efficient, the RCC1UP-AK is a little bulky at 35.2 pounds. It measures 17 x 14 x 25.5 inches and comes with a 3.2-gallon pressurized tank.
- Water Flow rate
With a daily water production rate of 100 gallons of pure water per day, this system ensures that small and medium-sized families get enough water.
It has a filtered to waste water ratio of 1:1, meaning that for every gallon of pure water produced, only a gallon goes into the drain.
- Built-In Booster Pump
The unit comes with a built-in booster pump that brings water pressure to the desired levels for excellent results. The pump enables the system to run faster, producing water more quickly. It also reduces water waste.
- Lead-free Faucet
Included in the package is a lead-free faucet with a brushed nickel finish. It replaces the standard kitchen faucet in providing the RO water.
- Filtration Process
The RCC1UP-AK RO water filtration system filters water in 7 stages. It has 3 pre-filters: a sediment filter, a carbon filter, and a carbon block filter that remove large particles like sand and silt from the water.
These pre-filters protect the RO membrane from getting clogged or damaged by chemicals.
The heart of the system is the RO filter that reduces contaminants up to 0.0001 microns. It consists of countless tiny holes that only allow water molecules to pass through.
Next, a fine GAC filter gives the water a final polish before getting to the faucet. It gives your water a more improved taste, odor, and appearance.
Most contaminants have been eliminated at this stage, but microorganisms that aren’t easy to get rid of might still be in your water. But not for long…
A UV light sterilizer kills the DNA of all microorganisms present in the water, destroying them for good. And there you have it! Pure and safe water to drink.
But this water isn’t tasty at all.
During the filtration process, all essential minerals are stripped from the water as well. And remember, these minerals are not only vital to your health but also improve the taste of the water.
In the final stage, an alkaline remineralization filter reintroduces healthy minerals to your water and restores a natural alkaline balance. The filter also helps improve the taste of the RO water.
- Water Storage Tank
The RCC1UP-AK comes with a storage tank that can hold 3.2 gallons of water at a go. It stores the pure water awaiting use.
And when you use the water, the tank refills automatically.
- Installation and Maintenance
You don’t have to get a plumber to set up the system if you have basic DIY skills. Most components are inbuilt, meaning that the number of installation tasks is minimal.
It comes with push-to-connect fittings and color coordinate tubings that simplify the installation process. An installation manual and DIY installation videos should help you get it running with ease.
The unit also has lifetime technical support and a cleaning and maintenance manual.
Filter life?
The manufacturer recommends that you change the pre-filters every 6 to 12 months, the RO membrane every 2 to 3 years, the GAC filter once per year, and the UV lamp after 1 to 3 years.
Pros
- Eliminates 1,000+ contaminants from the water
- Super low drain ratio of 1:1
- Produces 100 water gallons per day
- It comes with a built-in booster pump
- Has an alkaline remineralization filter
- The UV lamps kill all microorganisms
- It is easy to install and use
- Backed by a 1-year limited manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Has some plastic parts
- May not fit tiny under sink space
Home Master TMAFC-ERP-L Overview
The Home Master TMAFC-ERP-L Full Contact RO water filtration system is an under-sink unit that purifies water in 7 stages. It comes in an innovative design and is easy to install, upgrade and service.
The system boasts a faster water flow rate of up to 75 gallons of water per day and a filtered to waste water ratio of 1:1.
The TMAFC-ERP-L eliminates up to 99% chlorine, fluoride, chloramines, lead, TDS, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and 1000+ more contaminants.
It’s space-saving with a weight of 16.45 pounds and measures 20 x 16 x 12 inches.
- Design
This system comes in an innovative modular design that eliminates common problems like slow flow rate, canister filter housing leaks, high water waste, TDS creep, and slightly acidic water.
An elegant luxury brushed nickel RO faucet with a360 degrees swivel spout, and a ¼-turn disk gives the unit a sleek, classy appearance.
- Water Production Rate and Efficiency
Unlike the Ispring RCC1UP-AK, the Home Master TMAFC-ERP-L has a slower water flow rate. It can only produce up to 75 gallons of pure water per day. However, it can supply a small family with enough water for drinking and cooking all day long.
When it comes to efficiency, this unit is highly efficient, with a filtered water to pure water ratio of 1:1. The water waste varies according to the pressure of the incoming water.
- Built-in Permeate Pump
This RO system comes with a built-in electric permeate pump to reduce water waste. This pump also helps increase the daily water production rate.
- Filtration Processes
Like the Ispring RCC1UP-AK, the Home Master TMAFC-ERP-L filters water in 7 stages but in 3 sections.
In the first stage, a dedicated sediment pre-filter removes all large particles that could clog or damage the RO membrane. The contaminants include sand, silt, dirt, and rust.
The system also uses a catalytic carbon pre-filter, which helps eliminate chloramines, chlorine, and other stubborn chemicals from the water.
A high-performance membrane in stage 2 deals with the toughest contaminants, including arsenic, heavy metals, fluoride, and other dissolved solids.
The water then passes through a coconut shell activated carbon filter that removes any lingering tastes or odors from the water.
The final stage is the remineralization stage.
Unlike most RO systems that feature only one remineralization filter (if any), the Home Master TMAFC-ERP-L has 2.
The 1st filter adds healthy minerals into the RO water and balances its PH as it travels to the tank. On the other hand, the 2nd filter adds calcium and magnesium as the water travels from the storage tank to the faucet.
The 1st remineralization stage prevents tank degradation. This is because RO water is acidic and can degrade the rubber bladder in the pressurized storage tank.
After going through the 1st remineralization stage, the water is no longer acidic, protecting the tank from damage.
The reintroduction of essential minerals in the 2nd remineralization stage gives the water a fresh, natural taste.
- Installation and Maintenance
The TMAFC-ERP-L is relatively easy to install as it comes with all components required for simple DIY installation.
Although there are a lot of steps to follow (using the instruction manual), you can get the unit set up within an hour.
All fittings come in the push-in style, meaning that you won’t require tools to attach the tubes to connectors and valves.
Thanks to the modular design, the system is easy to maintain, and annual filter changes are also relatively easy.
- Certification and Warranty
All components that make the TMAFC-ERP-L Home Master are NSF certified for safety and performance. Home Master is also an NSF-listed company meaning that its products meet or exceed NSF standards for safety.
And like all other RO systems from Home Master, the TMAFC-ERP-L is backed by a 5-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Excellent filtration performance
- Outstanding build quality
- Wastes very little water
- It takes less time to fill a cup of water
- Easy to set up and maintain
- Is backed by a 5-year limited manufacturer’s warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- No UV light to kill microorganisms