Shopping for an APEC water filter?
If you have been looking for an APEC Water filter, then you’ve come to the right place.
APEC – short for Advanced Purification Engineering Corporation –is an American manufacturer of water systems, mostly water filters.
They are based in the city of Industry, California.
The company sells a wide variety of water filters including under-sink reverse osmosis systems and whole house water filters and softeners.
What’s In this Buying Guide?
In this buying guide, we explain the different APEC water filters and recommend the best ones for your home.filter
Table of Contents
Why Should You Consider APEC?
Here are some of the top reasons why you should choose an APEC water filter.
Quality: APEC water filters are known for their quality, reliability, and durability. They mostly have positive customer reviews.
Affordable: APEC whole-house, under-sink, and reverse osmosis water filters are usually cheaper than other brands. They are also inexpensive to maintain, thanks to the affordable replacement filters.
Certified: Some of APEC’s water filters including the popular APEC RO-90 reverse osmosis filter, are WQA-certified. This means they actually remove what they say they do.
Easy Installation: APEC’s water filters are designed for easy DIY installation with the essential tools. Most come with all the parts you need for installation.
Warranty: Most of APEC’s systems come with a 1-year warranty while a few have a 10-year warranty. The warranty covers material and workmanship defects as long as the system is under normal use.
Expert support: Even after the warranty expires, you’ll still enjoy expert support from APEC for any issues related to the water filter. They have in-house WQA-certified water specialists who will answer all your questions, no matter how technical.
Social impact: When you buy an APEC filter, you are supporting the Free Drinking Water charity program. APEC donates water filters to low-income individuals with health problems such as cancer.
Best APEC Water Filters
Disclaimer: All links below go to amazon.com
- 1. Best tankless under-sink filter: APEC WFS-1000
- 2. Best whole house filter: APECMAX15
- 3. Best budget RO filter: APEC ROES-50
- 4. Best for mineral water: APEC ROES-PHUV75
- 5. Best for large families: APEC RO-90 Supreme
- 6. Best portable RO filter for temporary use: APEC RO-CTOP-C
- 7. Best APEC RO Filter for Low Water Pressure: APEC RO-PUMP-120V
- 8. Best Countertop APEC Water Filter: APEC CT-2000
- 9. Best Budget APEC Under Sink Water Filter: APEC CS-2500
- 10. Best Light Industrial APEC RO Water Filter: APEC RO-LITE-360
WFS-1000
- Best tankless under-sink filter
Type:
Under-sink carbon filterNo. of Stages:
3Warranty:
1 year
MAX15
- Best whole house filter
Type:
Whole house filter and softenerNo. of Stages:
2Warranty:
10 years
ROES-50
- Best budget APEC RO filter
Type:
Under-sink RO filterNo. of Stages:
5Warranty:
1 year
ROES-PHUV75
- Best for mineral water
Type:
Under-sink RO filterNo. of Stages:
7Warranty:
1 year
RO-90 Supreme
- Best for large families
Type:
Under-sink RO filterNo. of Stages:
5Warranty:
2 years
RO-CTOP-C
- Best portable RO filter for temporary use
Type:
Portable/countertopNo. of Stages:
4Warranty:
1 year
APEC RO-PUMP-120V
- Best for low water pressure
Type:
Under-sink RO filterNo. of Stages:
5Warranty:
1 year
APEC CT-2000
- Best countertop
Type:
Countertop water filterNo. of Stages:
4Warranty:
1 year
APEC CS-2500
- Best budget under-sink filter
Type:
Under-sink carbon filterNo. of Stages:
1Warranty:
1 year
APEC RO-LITE-360
- Best light industrial
Type:
Commercial RO systemNo. of Stages:
5Warranty:
2 year
Best APEC Water Filters (Reviews)
PROS
- Easy to install and maintain.
- Filtered water tastes as good as bottled water.
- Removes potentially harmful chemicals from water.
- Fast flow rate.
- Long-lasting filters.
CONS
- The system takes up a lot of space under the sink.
- Does not remove microbes, heavy metals, and other dissolved solids.
- Not ideal for untreated or well water.
Our Review
The APEC WFS-1000 is a 3-stage under-sink water filtration system that removes sediment and various chemicals from drinking water.
It’s a great choice if your water has a strong chlorine taste and smell, or if you are concerned about the presence of pesticides, VOCs, and other chemicals in your tap water.
The system’s three stages consist of a sediment filter that removes dust and other suspended particles, a carbon block filter that removes tastes, odors and cloudiness and a final carbon block that further clarifies the water.
Note: Unlike the APEC reverse osmosis filter, the WFS-1000 does not remove microbes, nor does it reduce TDS levels. Only use it with treated city water.
Being a 3-stage system, it does take up a bit of space under the sink. But you can install it in another location such as the basement.
The WFS-1000 comes with its own lead-free chrome faucet.
The system comes with a complete installation kit. You don’t need to purchase any additional parts or fittings.
You also don’t need to pay a pro to install the filter for you. It is designed for quick DIY installation. The only part that might trouble you a bit is drilling a hole in your sink for the new faucet.
If you are lucky, your sink might already have a spare hole that you can use.
We love RO systems for their excellent filtration, but the slow water flow can be frustrating at times. The WFS-1000 has no such problem.
Since there is no RO membrane to slow down the water, you get a flow rate almost as strong as that of your normal tap. You don’t even need a reserve tank. Just turn on the faucet, and clean filtered water flows out.
As for maintenance, the only thing you need to do is replace the filters every year. The filter’s cartridges take less than 15 minutes to replace.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 15"w x 6"d x 12"h
- No. of stages: three
- Contaminants removed: Sediment, chemicals, tastes, odors, and cloudiness
- Filter capacity: 12 months
- Warranty: 1 year
This Water Filter Is Perfect for You If...
You are looking for a fast-flowing under-sink water filter that can remove chlorine and other chemicals from your tap water.
PROS
- Improves water taste by removing chlorine, chloramines, and VOCs.
- Removes potentially harmful chemicals from water.
- Prevents scale build-up in appliances, plumbing, and other surfaces.
- Fast water flow.
- Low-maintenance – no salt to refill and no filters to replace.
CONS
- Expensive.
- Takes time to install.
Our Review
The APEC MAX15 is a 2-in-1 whole house water filter and softener.
The filter part consists of catalytic granular activated carbon, a much more effective filtration media compared to normal activated carbon.
It removes chlorine and chloramine from water and their associated tastes and odors. It also filters out VOCs and other potentially dangerous chemicals in tap water.
Unlike other carbon filters, this one doesn’t need to be replaced every few months. It has a lifespan of 10 years.
To maintain filtration performance, an electronic valve head monitors water flow and automatically triggers a backwash to remove trapped contaminants.
The second stage is the water softener. Unlike traditional water softeners, the MAX15 does not use salt to remove hardness minerals from your water.
It is a salt-free water softener. In fact, if you measure your water hardness before and after filtration, there’ll be no change.
That’s because the system doesn’t actually remove the hardness minerals from water, nor does it add salt.
Instead, it uses a ceramic media to change the behavior of hard water such that it does not deposit scale on surfaces.
This protects appliances and plumbing, makes it easier to wash with water, and improves the quality of your shower water.
The benefit of the salt-free system is that it doesn’t require any backwashing, no salt refills, and it doesn’t waste any water.
Note that the water softener is effective for up to 25 grains of hardness.
This is a whole-house water system, so installation is a bit more involved than that of an under-sink filter. APEC recommends you have basic plumbing skills to install it.
The APEC MAX15 is designed for large homes with 3-6 bathrooms.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 10"D x 61"H
- No. of stages: two
- Contaminants removed: Chemicals, tastes, odors, and cloudiness
- Filter capacity: 10 years
- Warranty: 10 years
This Water Filter Is Perfect for You If...
You are looking for a system that can filter and descale your water.
PROS
- Removes almost all impurities from water, including TDS and microbes.
- DIY installation.
- Dual carbon filters greatly improve water taste and smell.
- Affordable.
CONS
- No re-mineralization filter.
- Low flow rate.
- Average water efficiency (wastes more water than some RO systems).
Our Review
The APEC ROES-50 is one of the most affordable RO systems.
It doesn’t have a re-remineralization filter like other pricier RO systems, and the daily capacity is a bit low, but it’s just as effective at purifying water.
The ROES-50 has 5 filtration stages.
First is a sediment filter that pre-filters dust, sand, and other large particles from the water. This protects the other filters from clogging.
Then two carbon block filters clarify the water by removing chlorine/chloramine tastes and odors. They also eliminate chemicals such as VOCs, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides.
At the heart of the system is a semi-permeable membrane that removes 99% of total dissolved solids, including heavy metals, fluoride, and arsenic. It also removes microbes, including bacteria, viruses, and cysts.
Just before the water comes out of the faucet, it passes through a final refining carbon filter that removes remnant odors and tastes the water may have picked up from the reserve tank.
The system produces up to 50 gallons of purified water per day, assuming a sustained water pressure of at least 50 psi (if your home has low water pressure, the daily capacity will be less).
Though that’s less than the 70-90 GPD most RO systems produce, it’s still plenty of water for most families.
The APEC ROES-50 takes about an hour or two to install. Everything you need including food-grade quick connect fittings, a reserve tank, all filters, and a lead-free faucet is provided.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 16"w x 5.25"d x 17.5"h (11" x 11" x 15" tank dimensions)
- No. of stages: five
- Contaminants removed: Chemicals, tastes, odors, cloudiness, microbes, TDS
- Filter capacity: 6-12 months (2-3 years for the membrane)
- Warranty: 1year
This Water Filter Is Perfect for You If...
You are looking for an inexpensive under-sink reverse osmosis system.
PROS
- Produces mineral water.
- UV sterilizer provides extra protection against bacteria and viruses.
- Relatively easy to install.
- Removes almost all contaminants from water.
- High daily capacity (75 GPD).
CONS
- Pricey.
- Average water efficiency and flow rate.
Our Review
If you want an RO system that produces mineral water, we recommend the APEC ROES-PHUV75 filter. It is a 7-stage RO system consisting of the usual filters, a bonus UV filter, and a mineral filter.
Here’s how the first four stages are arranged: a sediment pre-filter that targets larger particles, double carbon block filters to remove chlorine and other chemicals and an RO membrane that removes TDS and microbes.
The fifth stage is a UV light sterilizer. It complements the RO membrane in neutralizing waterborne bacteria, cysts, and viruses.
The sixth stage is the post-filter. It is located after the tank. It removes any odors and tastes the water may have picked up while sitting in the tank (a common issue with many RO systems).
The seventh and final stage the water passes through is the remineralization calcium filter. It adds small amounts of calcium back into the water to improve taste and increase alkalinity.
Thanks to the ROES-PHUV75’s 7-stage filtration, specifically the calcium filter, the purified water doesn’t have the flat and sometimes slightly acidic taste you get from other RO systems. Many users say it tastes like bottled water.
The extra two stages – the mineral and UV filters – add quite a bit to the price tag compared to the 5-stage ROES-50 system. It’s up to you to decide whether you want to spend more on mineral water and UV filtration.
Installation is straightforward. Everything you need is provided including food-grade tubing (color-coded for easy installation), valves and a lead-free designer faucet.
The ROES-PHUV75 doesn’t come with a permeate or booster pump. So don’t expect a strong water flow. But it’s enough for drinking purposes.
Water efficiency is also average with an average of 3 gallons wasted for every gallon of purified water.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 16"w x 5.25"d x 17.5"h (11" x 11" x 15" tank dimensions)
- No. of stages: seven
- Contaminants removed: Chemicals, tastes, odors, cloudiness, microbes, TDS
- Filter capacity: 6-12 months (2-3 years for the membrane)
- Warranty: 1 year
This Water Filter Is Perfect for You If...
You are looking for an RO system that produces mineral alkaline water. Also ideal for those who want the added protection of a UV filter.
PROS
- High daily output – ideal for large families.
- Excellent filtration performance.
- DIY installation.
- Long-lasting filters.
- Longer 2-year warranty (twice the usual warranty on other RO filters).
CONS
- No mineral/alkaline filter.
- Average water efficiency.
Our Review
For large families that need a lot of drinking water every day, we recommend the APEC RO-90 reverse osmosis system.
It is the highest capacity ro filter from APEC with a daily production capacity of 90 gallons.
To cater to the increased output, the RO-90 system uses higher-capacity filters that last longer. The pre-filters last for 12 months before needing replacement while the membrane is good for 3-5 years.
The RO-90 has five filtration stages, the exact ones found in the RO-50: a pre-filter, two carbon blocks; a semipermeable membrane, and a post-filter.
It does not have a re-mineralizing filter. If you want an APEC filter that gives out mineral water, you’ll have to do with the 75 gallon-a-day ROES-PHUV75 that we’ve reviewed above.
It also lacks a permeate or booster pump. So the flow rate is not very robust – but it’s good enough for most people’s needs – and the system wastes more water than RO filters with a booster pump.
It comes with a complete installation kit, which should take you about 1-2 hours to put together under your sink.
You don’t need plumbing skills to set it up. But if you are short of time, you can always hire a pro to set it up for you
Warning: labor costs to install the RO system can be as much as or higher than the purchase cost.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 16"w x 5.25"d x 17.5"h (11" x 11" x 15" tank dimensions)
- No. of stages: five
- Contaminants removed: Chemicals, tastes, odors, cloudiness, microbes, TDS
- Filter capacity: 12 months (3-5 years for the membrane)
- Warranty: 2 years
This Water Filter Is Perfect for You If...
You are looking for a high-output APEC RO filter that can produce enough drinking and cooking water for your large family.
PROS
- Ideal for those who can’t install an under-sink system – apartments, RVs, boats, tiny homes, offices, and dorm rooms.
- Easy and quick to install.
- Excellent filtration performance – just as effective as larger filters.
- Portable.
CONS
- Low flow rate.
- No mineral filter.
Our Review
The APEC RO-CTOP-Countertop RO system is for those who don’t want or cannot install a full size under-sink reverse osmosis filter.
If you only want a temporary filter, you live in an apartment or dorm room that won’t allow you to mess with the plumbing, or you simply don’t have enough space under your sink, the APEC RO-CTOP-C is perfect for your situation.
It is a compact 4-stage RO system that fits neatly on your countertop. It’s small (and light) enough that you can even carry it with you for use in hotel rooms, RV, boat or a friend’s house.
It connects directly to your faucet, similar to other countertop water filters. It fits most standard faucets and takes less than 5 minutes to set up.
The RO-CTOP-C’s filter arrangement is almost similar to that of full-size systems. The main difference is that it has one carbon pre-filter instead of two.
But the sediment and activated carbon pre-filters do a pretty good job filtering out particulates, chlorine, and various chemicals before they clog or damage the membrane.
The third and fourth stages are the RO membrane and a post-filter.
Another major difference between the RO-CTOP-C and larger systems is the lack of a reserve tank. When you open the lever on the faucet adapter, water is purified right then.
This has one big downside: the flow rate is extremely low. Water comes out in a slow trickle.
Users recommend filling a water pitcher or bottle beforehand for easier access to drinking water.
Overall, the RO-CTOP-C is a handy alternative for those who can’t install an under-sink system. It is a bit pricey, though, considering its size and flow rate.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 16" x 6.5" x 6.5"
- No. of stages: four
- Contaminants removed: Chemicals, tastes, odors, cloudiness, microbes, TDS
- Filter capacity: 6-8 months (2-3 years for the membrane)
- Warranty: 1 year
This Water Filter Is Perfect for You If...
You are looking for a good quality countertop RO filter for your home, office, boat or RV. Also ideal for those looking for a temporary or portable RO filter.
PROS
- Comes with a booster pump to increase water pressure.
- Booster pump reduces water wastage.
- High flow rate.
- High-performance 5-stage filtration.
- DIY installation.
CONS
- Expensive.
- Pump is a bit noisy.
Our Review
Most RO systems require at least 40 PSI of feed water pressure to work properly. If your water pressure is too low, it’ll take forever to fill the tank and the system will waste a lot of water.
The APEC RO-PUMP-120V is designed to solve this problem. It has a built-in electric booster pump that increases the pressure of water going through the filters. APEC says the RO-PUMP-120V is suitable for homes with water pressure under 30 PSI.
The booster pump means you need to have an electrical outlet under the sink.
The filtration system itself is pretty standard. It is a 5-stage system consisting of a sediment pre-filter to remove particulates, double carbon pre-filters to remove chlorine and chemicals, an RO membrane for heavy metals and microbes and a carbon post-filter to give the water a final polish.
The RO-PUMP-120V filter comes as a complete RO system with everything you need to install it under the sink. Just keep in mind that you may need to get an electrician to install an outlet if you don’t have one already under the sink.
If you don’t want a system that you need to plug in, APEC sells another version – the ULTIMATE RO-PERM – that uses a non-electric permeate pump. However, this one is suitable for homes with higher water pressure between 30 and 50 PSI.
The only complaint from customers is that the pump is a bit noisy. But it’s not too loud and you get used to it.
The RO-PUMP-120V is also more expensive compared to other APEC RO filters without a pump.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 23 x 12 x 24 inches
- No. of stages: five
- Contaminants removed: Chemicals, tastes, odors, cloudiness, microbes, TDS (including heavy metals)
- Filter capacity: 6-12 months (2-3 years for the membrane)
- Warranty: 1 year
This Water Filter Is Perfect for You If...
You are looking for an APEC RO system that will work well with your home’s low water pressure.
PROS
- Suitable for those without under-sink space.
- Takes up little space on the counter.
- 4-in-1 filter removes a wide range of contaminants including lead, cysts and chlorine.
- Easy to install.
CONS
- Suitable only for treated municipal water.
- Pricey replacement filter.
Our Review
A countertop water filter is a great choice for folks who don’t have the space to install an under-sink system.
It’s also ideal if you are looking for something cheaper or don’t want to deal with the hassle of installing an under-sink water filter.
The best APEC countertop water filter is the APEC CT-2000, a compact space-saving filter that sits on your counter and connects directly to the faucet.
You attach a diverter valve to the faucet. A tube carries water from the faucet to the filter. The filter has its own faucet that produces filtered water.
The APEC CT-2000 is a 4-in-1 filter. Within the plastic housing are four types of media.
The first is a ceramic filter that reduces cysts, some bacteria, and sediment. A silver ion media integrated into the ceramic filter stops the growth of bacteria and makes the filter self-sterilizing.
An activated carbon block targets chlorine and any tastes and odors in the water. It also reduces chemicals such as pesticides and VOCs.
Finally, an ion exchange resin reduces lead and other heavy metals.
The filter has a fairly good lifespan – you’ll need to replace it about once a year. That’s a good thing because the replacement filter is not cheap. The annual maintenance cost for the APEC CT-2000 is about $80.
But considering this is a 4-in-1 filter, not a basic carbon filter, it’s worth the price. It removes far more impurities than the filters in most countertop systems.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 12 x 4 x 4 inches
- No. of stages: Four
- Contaminants removed: Chemicals, chlorine, tastes, odors, cloudiness, bacteria, cysts, lead, and heavy metals.
- Filter capacity:12 months
- Warranty: 1 year
This Water Filter Is Perfect for You If...
You are looking for an APEC countertop filter that can remove a wide range of impurities including chlorine, bacteria, cysts and lead.
PROS
- Low price.
- Fast flow rate.
- Carbon filter removes a wide range of impurities.
- Long lasting filter.
- Easy to install and replace filter.
CONS
- Only one filtration stage.
- Doesn't remove microbes and TDS.
Our Review
The APEC CS-2500 is a cheaper alternative to WFS-1000 under-sink water filter. Instead of the three filtration stages of the WFS-1000, the CS-2500 is a single-stage filter.
It uses a high-capacity carbon filter that reduces chlorine, chemicals, sediment, and some heavy metals in water. The filter is bacteriostatic, meaning bacteria doesn’t grow on it, ensuring water comes out uncontaminated.
Being a single-stage filter reduces price, but it has a disadvantage. The APEC CS-2500 works best with treated city water that has little to no sediment.
Because the APEC CS-2500 lacks a sediment pre-filter, water with too much sediment clogs the carbon filter quickly, causing water pressure to drop. You’ll have to replace the filter more frequently, and the replacement filter is not cheap.
We also don’t recommend the APEC CS-2500 if you are worried about heavy metals and microbes in your water. While the APEC CS-2500 does remove some lead and other heavy metals, it’s not as effective as an RO membrane. As for microbes like viruses and bacteria, it doesn’t remove any at all.
Installing the APEC CS-2500 under-sink filter is easy and quick. It comes with ⅜” fittings that connect to your cold water line under the sink and directly to the existing faucet.
The filter has a high flow rate, so you shouldn’t notice a significant drop in pressure from the faucet until it’s time to replace the filter (if pressure drops after just a couple of months, your water is likely high in sediment and you should buy the 3-stage WFS-1000 filter instead)
Specifications
- Dimensions: 12 x 4 x 4 inches
- No. of stages:One
- Contaminants removed: Chemicals, tastes, odors, lead and chlorine.
- Filter capacity:12 months
- Warranty: 1 year
This Water Filter Is Perfect for You If...
You are looking for an affordble under-sink APEC water filter that can remove chlorine, chemicals and lead from your municipal water.
Shopping tip: If you live in a hard water area, get the APEC CS-2500P. It’s the same as the CS-2500, but with a scale inhibitor added. It does not soften water, but it reduces scale build up in the faucet.
PROS
- High capacity - up to 360 gallons per day.
- Suitable for large households, restaurants, offices and small businesses.
- Fast flow rate.
- Comes with a large 14gal tank.
- High-performance 5-stage filtration.
CONS
- Pricey.
- High maintenance costs.
Our Review
If the 50-100 GPD capacity of standard RO systems is not adequate for your home, get the APEC RO-LITE-360. This is a 5-stage RO systems that’s designed for light industrial and commercial applications.
With a capacity of 360 gallons a day, it can easily serve a large household, small businesses, restaurants and small offices.
The APEC RO-LITE-360 has a standard 5-stage filtration process. This includes a sediment pre-filter, two carbon block filters, 4 RO membranes (not 1 like in smaller RO systems), and a carbon post-filter.
Combined, the five stages remove over 99% of thousands of impurities including heavy metals, chemicals, sediment, chlorine and microbes.
Large ⅜” fittings ensure a fast flow rate, even without a pump. This allows you to fill a glass of pitcher of water quickly.
The main downside of the APEC RO-LITE-360 is its price and maintenance costs. As expected of a commercial RO system, it costs several times the price of a standard residential RO filter.
Maintenance costs are high as well for two reasons.
One, because of the larger 20” pre-filters costs more than the standard 10” filters used in residential systems. You have to replace the three pre-filters every 6-12 months.
Two, the APEC RO-LITE-360 uses four 90 GPD RO membranes for a total daily output of 360 GPD. After 3-4 years, you have to buy four RO membranes.
The complete set of replacement filters currently costs about half the price of the entire system.
If you want a more affordable option, APEC also sells a 180 GPD system, the RO-LITE-180, and a 240 GPD system, the RO-LITE-240.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 29 x 17.5 x 8 inches
- No. of stages: Five
- Contaminants removed: Chemicals, tastes, odors, cloudiness, microbes, TDS (including heavy metals)
- Filter capacity:6-12 months (3-4 years for the membrane)
- Warranty: 2 year
This Water Filter Is Perfect for You If...
You are looking for a high-capacity APEC RO water system for your home, business or office.
How Are APEC Water Filters Different From Other Filters?
APEC water filters stand out most because of their value for money. You can get a high quality under-sink or reverse osmosis water filter for much less compared to other brands like Home Master.
That’s does not mean will make life easier that APEC’s systems are worse. Sure, they don’t have some of the features available in Home Master filters like the modular filter design or Fast Flow RO kit. But they still filter water just as well.
Another thing we love about APEC is the wide variety of water systems they have. Whatever kind of home water filter you need, they likely have it. Their catalogue includes RO systems, under-sink filters and whole-house systems (both filters and water conditioners/softeners).
Just about the only type of water filter they don’t sell is a faucet-mounted filter.
The wide range of products and prices allows you to get the exact filter you need for your home at the price that works best for you.
Buying Guide: What to Look for in an APEC water system
Type of System
The first thing to decide is what kind of water system you need. This depends on your needs. Here’s what each type of filter is good for.
Under-sink water filter: Great for filtering chlorine, chloramines, sediment and chemicals from municipal water.This is a point-of-use filter, meaning you’ll get filtered water from only one faucet in your home.Some under-sink systems are designed for use with well water.
Under-sink RO system: Great for filtering chlorine, chloramines, sediment, chemicals, heavy metals and microbes from municipal or well water. Get an RO system if you are concerned that your drinking water may contain heavy metals or bacteria.
Whole house water filter: Suitable if you want to filter all the water coming into the house.Most whole house filters can remove chlorine, chemicals and sediment from municipal water. If you use well water, look for a water filter designed to remove contaminants like iron that are common in underground water.
Whole house water softener: Suitable if you live in a hard water area.A whole house water softener reduces the hardness of all the water coming into the house. Some systems are salt-free. Instead of adding salt to the water to soften it, they change the behavior of hardness minerals to reduce scale.
Filtration Stages
The number and type of filtration stages of an APEC system tells you how well it filters water and what it filters out.
A 7-stage system will be more effective compared to a 5-stage system. Check the type of filters used as well. For instance, a system with a catalytic carbon filter will do a better job filtering out chloramines and chlorine compared to a system with conventional activated carbon.
If you use well water, look for a system with special filters that can eliminate iron, hydrogen sulfide and other contaminants common in well water.
If you are worried about germs in the water, look for a system with a reverse osmosis membrane or a UV sanitizer (or both).
Capacity
Check the system’s GPD figure before you order it. GPD stands for gallons per day, or the amount of filtered water a particular system can produce in a day.
The bigger your family, the more GPD you need. To figure out the right capacity, estimate how much filtered water you’ll need in a day. Obviously, it’ll be much higher for a whole house system (in the thousands or tens of thousands) compared to an under-sink system (most have a 50-100 GPD capacity).
Ease of Installation
How easy an APEC water system is to install depends largely on the type of system. Under-sink systems have an easy (but time-consuming) DIY installation process.
With a whole-house system, you may call a pro to plumb it in.
Maintenance
Finally, check what kind of maintenance the water system requires.
For water filters, check how many filters there are to replace and after how long each needs replacing. Don’t forget to look up the price of replacement filters; it’ll help you estimate the system’s maintenance cost.
For water softeners, check how often you need to add salt.
In addition to salt and filters, check if the system has additional consumables that need regular replacement.
APEC Water System Complaints
The most common complaint from APEC customers, particularly regarding the under-sink system is the low flow rate. This is especially an issue with reverse osmosis systems.
Fortunately, this is a problem you can solve easily by adding an electric or permeate pump to the system.
Another area where APEC is behind some other brands is warranty. APEC offers a standard 1-year warranty for most of their systems while Home Master offers a 2-5 year warranty on their systems.
FAQs
Do APEC water filters last long?
With proper maintenance, most APEC water systems will last you at least 10 years.
When should I change my APEC water filter?
It depends on the type and size of filter. For under-sink RO systems, the pre-filters last 1 year while the RO membrane is good for 3-5 years.
For whole house systems, filter lifespan is given in gallons of water. Check the user manual for instructions on when to replace each type of filter.
