Ecosoft 5-Stage Review

Ecosoft is one of the leading companies to manufacture 5-stage water filtration systems. The name 5-stage water filtration unit is synonymous to a RO membrane system. RO membrane is being hailed as the best solution in the present day world for water filtration as it can remove a large variety of contaminants from water and provide us with 99% pure water which is better than bottled water and that too at an economical price.

In this article, we will review a famous water filtration system by the name of Ecosoft 5 Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System. Reading a detailed review before making the final purchase always helps in making a better decision.

Ecosoft 5 Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System – Under Sink Water Purifier and Softener for Kitchen Faucet

Filtration Stages and Capabilities

The most important aspects of the multi-stage water filtration system are the filtration stages and the contaminants it can filter. Ecosoft offers 5 different filtration stages. When the water enters the filter, it moves through 5 different phases, and the relevant filter removes the specific contaminants. The detailed working of each stage and the contaminants it removes is explained below

Stage 1: 5-micron Sediment Filter

The first filter is the sediment filter. It has a size of 5-microns, and it can remove sand, dust, rust and other suspended particles having a size larger than 5 microns. It is the first line of defence against impure water.

Stage 2: Granular Activated Carbon Coconut Shell Filter

The second stage uses an activated carbon filter with a coconut shell; this filter removes chlorine and chlorination by-products such as chloramines. It also partly improves the taste and odor of the smell.

Stage 3: 1-micron Sediment Filter

If any sediment from the 1st stage is not filtered from the water, another finer sediment filter with a rating of 1-micron will stop all the particles in water. This is a dual-purpose filter as it also protects the next filter; RO membrane from suspended particles in the water.

Stage 4: Reverse Osmosis Membrane

It is the heart of the system. It is a very small and fine membrane which stops everything other than water molecules from passing through it. Any contaminant, no matter what’s the size and type, a RO membrane ensures that it is removed from your water and you get to drink 99.8% pure and healthy water. One drawback of using a RO system is that it also removes healthy and essential minerals from water. You don’t need to worry about that because you can get these minerals from other dietary sources as well. It removes bacteria, viruses, herbicides, pesticides, heavy metals and all the other impurities from water.

Stage 5: Coconut Shell Activated Carbon Post Filter

The last filter is placed to ensure that the taste and smell of water are not bland and flat. It makes sure that if anything which can disturb the taste of water, is left in it, probably a tiny portion of chlorine, is effectively removed from it.

Filter Replacement

Since you are getting a machine with 5 filters, knowing about the filtration routine and filtration capacity of each filter is very important. You will have to keep a record about every filter. Each filter works like a part of an engine to deliver maximum performance. If any part is not working fine or is clogged, the whole process will be impacted. It can slow the flow rate and disturb the quality of water being produced.

The time to change the filter depends upon the quality of your water and the number of gallons you filter from it. If the water quality is not too bad and there is less number of sediments, the first three filters work well for 4-6 months. You can use the RO membrane for 1-2 years and the last filter for 6 months. These measurements are best for a small family or a family getting 1 gallon of water from it daily.

Water Storage Capacity

A significant problem with a lot of 5-stage filtration units is the storage tank capacity. When you buy this model of Ecosoft, you get a 3.2-gallon storage water tank. It is enough to satisfy a small to medium household’s water needs for cooking, drinking, washing your eatables and water for your pets. This capacity is enough to make sure that you don’t have to face slow flow rate problems when you open your kitchen sink faucet and use water for a long time.

Water Flow Rate

The water flow rate is 2.1 gallons per hour. It is in line with other costly 5 stage RO membrane water filters. It means that once you have used 2 gallons of water on one go, you will have to wait for more water to be filtered or the flow rate will decrease significantly. The system will take its time to filter water and store it the storage tank.

Water Wastage

RO membranes need some water to wash the membrane. It needs washing to take off the accumulated contaminants on its surface. Most filters waste around 3-4 gallons, make sure you do not waste this water and store it for other purposes like gardening and cleaning the home. RO filters are a big off for some people as they believe that it wastes water, on the contrary, it plays its part in saving the environment. If you utilize the wastewater, you can save the environment from plastic by not using bottled water.

Warranty and Customer Service

Another amazing feature of this product is the warranty. You get an extensive 5-year warranty on parts and labour, to give you more peace of mind and satisfaction while buying this product, Ecosoft also offers 30-days money-back guarantee. The customer service of Ecosoft is also excellent. You just need to make a call and inform them their problem; they will go the extra mile to solve it.

Installation

You do not need any tools to install the system; everything comes organized and is included in the box. You get a storage tank, a faucet and all the filters for the first time use. When it comes to installation, the colour coded tubes will make the process easy, the maximum time you will need for installation is around an hour. You may need to drill a hole in your kitchen counter for faucet installation. Every instruction is written with pictures for installation. We suggest that you keep the last filter a bit loose as tightening it firmly can result in some carbon taste in your water.

Similarly, maintaining the filter is not difficult. The filter replacement has already been explained above. You need to open the housing with a provided wrench and push in the new filters. There is a dedicated storage shelf for keeping your wrench along with the system.

Materials and Certifications

All the materials used in this filter are certified from NSF, WQA and ANSF. Such certifications increase the value of the product because the manufacturers have to make sure that they follow all the quality standards to achieve the standards. The housings are made from food-grade virgin polypropylene. The water management system is ISO 9001:2008 certified. There are very few filters in the market which have an ISO certification. Considering all the certifications, Ecosoft is definitely worth buying and using.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• 8% pure water; better than bottled water in taste, odor, and health
• Economically priced and offers a good return on your money
• Easy installation and maintenance
• 2 carbon filters improve the taste and remove odors from the water
• BPA free plastic

Cons

• Drilling may be needed for installation for some pipes
• Flow rate decreases after you consume 1 gallon of water in one go

Final Verdict and Rating