Learn more about the Whirlpool® Reverse Osmosis Filtration System with these Frequently Asked Questions. If you have further questions, call 1-866-986-3223 or email us at info@ecodyne.org.
How does a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system work?
The RO process forces water through a semi-permeable membrane that traps contaminants. These contaminants are then flushed down the drain, leaving your drinking water clean and fresh.
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Why would I want an RO system in my home?
Reverse osmosis is the process used by many bottled water suppliers. Owning your own RO system gives you the highest-quality water available from your own faucet for a fraction of the cost of bottled water.
What does the RO system take out of my water supply?
| Filter Type Contaminant Removal Comparisons |
| |
Sediment Filter |
Standard Carbon
(Typical refrigerator or faucet-type system) |
1 Micron Carbon
(Premium versions of standard systems) |
Reverse Osmosis |
| Ammonia |
|
|
|
X |
| Barium |
|
|
|
X |
| Bicarbonate |
|
|
|
X |
| Bromide |
|
|
|
X |
| Cadmium |
|
|
|
X |
| Chloride |
|
|
|
X |
| Chlorine |
|
X |
X |
X |
| Chromium |
|
|
|
X |
| Copper |
|
|
|
X |
| Cysts |
|
|
X |
X |
| Floride |
|
|
|
X |
| Lead |
|
|
X |
X |
| Magnesium |
|
|
|
X |
| Mercury |
|
|
|
X |
| Nickel |
|
|
|
X |
| Nitrate |
|
|
|
X |
| Nitrite |
|
|
|
X |
| Sediment |
X |
X |
X |
X |
| Selenium |
|
|
|
X |
| Sodium |
|
|
|
X |
| Sulfate |
|
|
|
X |
| Tannin |
|
|
|
X |
| TDS |
|
|
|
X |
| Zink |
|
|
|
X |
How long do the filters last?
We recommend that you change the filters every six months. Leaving the filters in place longer than six months can increase the possibility of bacteria growth on the filters, which could then enter your water supply. The Whirlpool® RO system comes with an indicator light on the faucet to inform you when it is time to change filters.
The RO system also includes a membrane, which is the center of the three filter elements. The membrane will typically last 1-3 years, depending on water usage and the quality of your incoming water supply. The membrane should be replaced when you notice a difference in the taste of your water. The life expectancy of an RO membrane will be longer if you have a water softener because the membrane will not plug up with hard water particles.
Are the filters difficult to change?
The Whirlpool® RO system features the UltraEase filter system. Other RO systems require you to turn off the water, wrench off the filter housing, remove the old filter from the housing and discard. It's a time-consuming and messy process. With the UltraEase system, filter changes are easy—just turn the filter a quarter-turn to the left, remove and discard the whole element; the water is automatically turned off. When the new filter is installed, the water flow to the system will restore automatically. The UltraEase process provides an easy, mess-free way to replace your RO filters.
Where can the system be installed?
The RO system can be installed under the sink, in an adjoining cabinet or in a remote location. For more information about installation click here.
Can I hook up the RO system to my refrigerator?
The Whirlpool® RO system can be hooked up to the water line in a refrigerator. Normal incoming water pressure through the RO should be sufficient to operate the water dispenser on your refrigerator, but some pressure loss should be expected. This is because the RO system only delivers about half as much water pressure as your unfiltered household water supply. If you are on a low-pressure well pump system, please contact our Customer Service department to review your specific situation. They can be reached at 1-866-986-3223 or by email.
Why does the RO system require a storage tank?
The tank is utilized to store the water the system has produced. Reverse osmosis is a very fine filtration process and therefore produces drinking water fairly slowly. The system will keep adding water to the storage tank until it is full, giving you ample supply of high quality water when needed. As you remove water from the storage tank via the RO faucet, the system goes back to work to refill the tank.
Why do I hear a gurgling sound from the system even when I'm not using it?
This sound is the contaminant-filled water being sent down your drain. As the system fills the storage tank with filtered water, it sends the rejected water down your drain. This draining process and sound will continue until the storage tank is full once again.
How much water does an RO system use to make its finished water?
The Whirlpool® RO system will typically reject 5 gallons of water for every gallon it sends to the storage tank. This rejected water is used to clean the membrane as it allows the purified water through to the tank.
I want this high-quality water for my whole house. Why can't I have a whole-house RO?
The RO process produces water fairly slowly so an RO system would not be able to supply your house with the volume of water or the water pressure the household would require. To get high-quality water for your entire home, a Central Water Filtration System is recommended.
What are the specifications of the system?
| Supply water pressure limits | 40-100 psi (280-689 kPa) |
| Supply water temperature limits | 40-100 °F (5-40°C) |
| Maximum total dissolved solids (TDS) | 2000 ppm |
| Maximum water hardness @ 6.9 pH | 10 gpg |
| Maximum iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide | 0 |
| Chlorine in water supply (max. ppm) | 2.0 |
| Supply water pH limits (pH) | 4-10 |
| Product (quality) water, 24 hours (1) | 14.53 gal. (55 liters) |
| Waste water per gallon of product water (1) | 5 gal. (18.9 liters) |
| Percent rejection of TDS, minimum (new membrane) (1) | 90-95 |
| Automatic shutoff control | yes |
| Efficiency (2) | 9.7 % |
| Recovery (3) | 19.7 % |
This system conforms to NSF/ANSI 58 for the specific performance claims as verified and substantiated by test data.
| (1) | @ Feed water supply at 50 psi, 77°F, and 750 TDS --- Quality water production, amount of waste water and percent rejection all vary with changes in pressure, temperature and total dissolved solids. |
| (2) | Efficiency rating means the percentage of the influent water to the system that is available to the user as reverse osmosis treated water under operating conditions that approximate typical daily usage. |
| (3) | Recovery rating means the percentage of the influent water to the membrane portion of the system that is available to the user as reverse osmosis treated water when the system is operated without a storage tank or when the storage tank is bypassed. |
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Manuals
