Great video. I am curious which municipal water supplier it was tested in. I am in Highlands Ranch and on the Centennial Water District in Colorado. Was your test on Denver Water? Also, even though the TAC water conditioner didn't reduce the hardness do you believe it will reduce the scaling and possibly help with any skin irritations from the hard water?
Thanks for watching! Due to a privacy agreement with the homeowner, I can't say exactly where this was installed. The TAC conditioner doesn't remove the hardness minerals, which means it will not help with skin irritation from hard water. For that, I'd recommend an ion exchange water softener like this bit.ly/3xUMjJ1
I live in an area with a fair amount of industrial ag and manufacturing, and our city water source is known for concerning levels of PFAs. Do any of your tests show whole house systems that reduce/eliminate forever chemicals?
Currently PFAs testing is specialized and expensive, so we don't include it by default in all of our testing. Hopefully that changes though because I'd love to test for forever chemicals by default. That said, activated carbon adsorption is the most studied method for addressing PFAs in water. It can be assumed that any system that uses activated carbon filters will be able to reduce PFAs. We did test this one for PFAs - it uses catalytic carbon - ruclips.net/video/TAE8YAzcar8/видео.html
More for sediment. You need catalytic carbon to make a difference. Use a spon filter as the inital inlet. Then I use two of the 4.5x20 with 5 micron and 1 micron before a backwashing catalytic carbon filter. I have water softener after it
Dear Guru, I am looking for the best undersink RO system to filter out most contamination and re-mineral it for kitchen mainly for drinking & cooking. What is your recommendation?
@waterfilterguru Thanks. I was considering Waterdrop X Series, but I did hear Waterdrop A1 counter RO system introduce cancer chemical potentially due to toxic chemicals from manufacturing of RO membrane. BOS water was talking about it, so I have a bit concerns for X series even I really like Waterdrop design. Will you review X12/16?
@@hsienfushih Yes we plan to test and review the X series from Waterdrop! Stay tuned for that one To date we've tested a couple waterdrop systems, including their N1 countertop RO ( ruclips.net/video/lmWHcAKQ7kk/видео.html ) and the G series (G3 P800 - ruclips.net/video/Ebm3ZLuEew4/видео.html ) under sink RO. Our tests analyzed for the same chemicals that BOS detected from the A1 ( methylene chloride (Dichloromethane) and xylenes (m,p Xylene and o Xylene)). None of these were detected in the filtered water in either of our tests.
This one is cartridge-based whereas the Springwell is tank-based. The cartridges are changed yearly, whereas the media in the tank should last for a number of years before it needs to be changed (water quality and usage dependant, of course). Springwell CF uses a blend of granular KDF and catalytic carbon, whereas the Kind has a solid catalytic carbon block cartridge
I would really appreciate your insight. I have a lot of arsenic in my water. I want a whole home filtration system that will filter it out. What system or brand would you suggest for this?
When you say 'a lot' what is the exact concentration of arsenic present? Do you know what oxidation state its in? As(III) or As(V)? What's the water pH? Generally, negatively charged (ionized) As V is much easier to remove than uncharged As III. Tests to determine the concentration of each form, also known as speciation, must be performed in order to choose the proper removal technique.
It depends on what contaminants are present in the water, but in many cases yes we tend to also recommend reverse osmosis to treat the drinking/cooking water as well.
Are you planning on making a video about the best reverse osmosis systems similar to your pitcher video? There's so many on the market that I don't even know where to start! I'd also be interested in you branching out to reviewing something like the Shower Stick. I've been trying to soften my water to improve my hair and I heard many good things about it but I'm curious to see if the filter is actually that good.
Hi, can we install this just for the hot water inlet? We have a really tight space for the main water line so it would be ideal for us to install next to the water heater. I do understand it wouldn't filter the drinking water.
Yes it can, but you wouldn't be getting the full benefit of a point of entry filter. For example, one of the primary uses of a whole house filter is to take care of disinfection byproducts and other contaminants that pose a risk of dermal and inhalation exposure while showering and bathing. Exposure risk is not addressed if only the hot water is filtered.
What’s your opinion on NU Aqua whole house filter? They appear to be one of the most affordable. I’ve used their under sink RO system and found it to work great with TDS reduced down to under 10 ppm.
Kind advertizes that they can clear up 75GPG hardness but your video says the filters barely affected harness at all. Is there something I didn't understand in your video? Thank you.
Water conditioners, like the TAC media used in the Kind cartridge, do not "clear up" or remove hardness minerals at all. I do not recommend a water conditioner for excessively hard water, even though they claim it can be used with such. If you are trying to treat a hard water issue, your best bet is an ion exchange water softener that actually removes the water hardness minerals. You might find this article about the difference between water softeners and water conditioners helpful waterfilterguru.com/water-softener-vs-water-conditioner/
Thank you for the explanation and the article. That explained things quite nicely. If you don't mind answering one more question... Our plumber is recommending a two tank softener with the salt bin in the garage while the softener is by the water supply in the basement. That seems weird because most softerners I've seen have the two immediately beside each other or even in the same housing. Are there any dissadvantages to having the brine tank 20 feet from the softener?
@@waterfilterguru Thanks! Your answer and the article were both very enlightening. May I ask one more question? Is it okay to place the brine tank in the garage while the softener is 20 feet away in the basement? Our plumber has suggested this.
@@davidfechser8446 Yes, just keep in mind how the length of the plumbing and any elevation differences will cause pressure drop, and confirm with the specs of the system
Would you recommend KIND? I'd like to get a whole house filter, and not spend much over $2K. Is there any chance of these filters leaking, or completely busting open? Thanks
It depends. What contaminants/ water issues do you need to address? What is the source water (well water or city water)? How hard is the water? The best way to avoid the filter housing becoming compromised and leaking is to check your incoming water pressure and verifying it with the system's operating specs before purchasing.
I can't speak to Austin TX because I don't live there, but I will say that I would recommend testing your water to identify what contaminants are present that need to be addressed before purchasing any water treatment equipment. Without the data to guide your decision, you may or may not end up with something capable of addressing the needs at hand
Health protective levels of copper in drinking water at 0.3 PPM have been established based on potential gastrointestinal effects, especially for infants and children. Acute exposure to high copper levels uncommonly found in drinking water can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
Great video. I am curious which municipal water supplier it was tested in. I am in Highlands Ranch and on the Centennial Water District in Colorado. Was your test on Denver Water? Also, even though the TAC water conditioner didn't reduce the hardness do you believe it will reduce the scaling and possibly help with any skin irritations from the hard water?
Thanks for watching! Due to a privacy agreement with the homeowner, I can't say exactly where this was installed.
The TAC conditioner doesn't remove the hardness minerals, which means it will not help with skin irritation from hard water. For that, I'd recommend an ion exchange water softener like this bit.ly/3xUMjJ1
I live in an area with a fair amount of industrial ag and manufacturing, and our city water source is known for concerning levels of PFAs. Do any of your tests show whole house systems that reduce/eliminate forever chemicals?
Currently PFAs testing is specialized and expensive, so we don't include it by default in all of our testing. Hopefully that changes though because I'd love to test for forever chemicals by default.
That said, activated carbon adsorption is the most studied method for addressing PFAs in water. It can be assumed that any system that uses activated carbon filters will be able to reduce PFAs.
We did test this one for PFAs - it uses catalytic carbon - ruclips.net/video/TAE8YAzcar8/видео.html
Is there an attachment that reduces fluoride or hopefully in the future
Sure, just swap one of the cartridges for any industry standard 4.5x20 cartridge, such as this one from US Water Systems geni.us/WJAFPBP
Pls do a lab test on the Bluevua reverse osmosis countertop filtration system
Thanks for the request! I've got it on our list next time we test countertop ROs
More for sediment. You need catalytic carbon to make a difference. Use a spon filter as the inital inlet. Then I use two of the 4.5x20 with 5 micron and 1 micron before a backwashing catalytic carbon filter. I have water softener after it
The cartridge in this system is catalytic carbon
@@waterfilterguru without backwashing, they do not last long
Dear Guru,
I am looking for the best undersink RO system to filter out most contamination and re-mineral it for kitchen mainly for drinking & cooking. What is your recommendation?
Check these out:
Cloud RO geni.us/9ClI8J3
Waterdrop X series geni.us/OOtfARh
@waterfilterguru Thanks. I was considering Waterdrop X Series, but I did hear Waterdrop A1 counter RO system introduce cancer chemical potentially due to toxic chemicals from manufacturing of RO membrane. BOS water was talking about it, so I have a bit concerns for X series even I really like Waterdrop design. Will you review X12/16?
@@hsienfushih Yes we plan to test and review the X series from Waterdrop! Stay tuned for that one
To date we've tested a couple waterdrop systems, including their N1 countertop RO ( ruclips.net/video/lmWHcAKQ7kk/видео.html ) and the G series (G3 P800 - ruclips.net/video/Ebm3ZLuEew4/видео.html ) under sink RO.
Our tests analyzed for the same chemicals that BOS detected from the A1 ( methylene chloride (Dichloromethane) and xylenes (m,p Xylene and o Xylene)). None of these were detected in the filtered water in either of our tests.
how would you compare this to the Springwell system?
This one is cartridge-based whereas the Springwell is tank-based. The cartridges are changed yearly, whereas the media in the tank should last for a number of years before it needs to be changed (water quality and usage dependant, of course). Springwell CF uses a blend of granular KDF and catalytic carbon, whereas the Kind has a solid catalytic carbon block cartridge
I would really appreciate your insight. I have a lot of arsenic in my water. I want a whole home filtration system that will filter it out. What system or brand would you suggest for this?
When you say 'a lot' what is the exact concentration of arsenic present?
Do you know what oxidation state its in? As(III) or As(V)?
What's the water pH?
Generally, negatively charged (ionized) As V is much easier to remove than uncharged As III. Tests to determine the concentration of each form, also known as speciation, must be performed in order to choose the proper removal technique.
Would you recommend this whole house system and then an ro at the kitchen sink and fridge?
It depends on what contaminants are present in the water, but in many cases yes we tend to also recommend reverse osmosis to treat the drinking/cooking water as well.
Are you planning on making a video about the best reverse osmosis systems similar to your pitcher video? There's so many on the market that I don't even know where to start!
I'd also be interested in you branching out to reviewing something like the Shower Stick. I've been trying to soften my water to improve my hair and I heard many good things about it but I'm curious to see if the filter is actually that good.
Yes, you should see my project to-do list 😉 thanks for your requests, this really helps!
Hi, can we install this just for the hot water inlet? We have a really tight space for the main water line so it would be ideal for us to install next to the water heater. I do understand it wouldn't filter the drinking water.
Yes it can, but you wouldn't be getting the full benefit of a point of entry filter. For example, one of the primary uses of a whole house filter is to take care of disinfection byproducts and other contaminants that pose a risk of dermal and inhalation exposure while showering and bathing. Exposure risk is not addressed if only the hot water is filtered.
Makes sense. Thank you for your response.
Happy to help!
Excellent video! Would love to see a test on the tankless iSpring RO500
Thanks for the feedback and request! I'll add it to our list
What’s your opinion on NU Aqua whole house filter? They appear to be one of the most affordable. I’ve used their under sink RO system and found it to work great with TDS reduced down to under 10 ppm.
I've not yet tested the NU Aqua whole house filter, so don't have any info for you on it at this point
@@waterfilterguru hope you can give them a try one day and share your experience.
@@RafaelSwit I'll put it on the list!
Kind advertizes that they can clear up 75GPG hardness but your video says the filters barely affected harness at all. Is there something I didn't understand in your video? Thank you.
Water conditioners, like the TAC media used in the Kind cartridge, do not "clear up" or remove hardness minerals at all. I do not recommend a water conditioner for excessively hard water, even though they claim it can be used with such. If you are trying to treat a hard water issue, your best bet is an ion exchange water softener that actually removes the water hardness minerals. You might find this article about the difference between water softeners and water conditioners helpful waterfilterguru.com/water-softener-vs-water-conditioner/
Thank you for the explanation and the article. That explained things quite nicely. If you don't mind answering one more question... Our plumber is recommending a two tank softener with the salt bin in the garage while the softener is by the water supply in the basement. That seems weird because most softerners I've seen have the two immediately beside each other or even in the same housing. Are there any dissadvantages to having the brine tank 20 feet from the softener?
@@waterfilterguru Thanks! Your answer and the article were both very enlightening. May I ask one more question? Is it okay to place the brine tank in the garage while the softener is 20 feet away in the basement? Our plumber has suggested this.
@@davidfechser8446 Yes, just keep in mind how the length of the plumbing and any elevation differences will cause pressure drop, and confirm with the specs of the system
Would you recommend KIND? I'd like to get a whole house filter, and not spend much over $2K. Is there any chance of these filters leaking, or completely busting open? Thanks
It depends. What contaminants/ water issues do you need to address? What is the source water (well water or city water)? How hard is the water?
The best way to avoid the filter housing becoming compromised and leaking is to check your incoming water pressure and verifying it with the system's operating specs before purchasing.
Anyone using this filter in Austin TX?
I can't speak to Austin TX because I don't live there, but I will say that I would recommend testing your water to identify what contaminants are present that need to be addressed before purchasing any water treatment equipment. Without the data to guide your decision, you may or may not end up with something capable of addressing the needs at hand
Copper is good for you. Now Strontium can kill you. Especially Strontium 90.
Health protective levels of copper in drinking water at 0.3 PPM have been established based on potential gastrointestinal effects, especially for infants and children. Acute exposure to high copper levels uncommonly found in drinking water can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.