Should I Buy a Reverse Osmosis System? Costs and Benefits

A girl drinks a glass of reverse osmosis (RO) water because her parents discovered how much of a value an RO system is.

Should I Buy a Reverse Osmosis System? Costs and Benefits

Updated: February 9, 2022 January 17, 2020

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Updated: February 9, 2022

Published: January 17, 2020

What Is Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water Filtration?

Reverse osmosis is a process that filters water using specialized membranes. Before water reaches your faucet, it is derived from a well or from a natural source, such as the ground, a river or a lake.

Even if you have municipal water, your water can pick up various contaminants on its way into your home from the treatment center.* A reverse osmosis (RO) system, however, can help reduce contaminants that might be in your water. Before water flows out of your faucet, the system will:

Use pressure to push the water through a specialize membrane
Capture undesired molecules, including those of contaminants as small as a single atom, while allowing the treated water to flow through
Minimize contaminants to leave you with fresher, cleaner water

What Are the Benefits of Drinking Reverse Osmosis Water?

how a home reverse osmosis system can help Many people don’t think twice about the water that comes out of their taps, but they should. Depending on your circumstances, untreated water in your home may taste or smell bad, but there are also water issues that can’t be detected without testing. If certain contaminants are present in your water, such as excessive lead or arsenic, water issues could impact the health of your family members. Some issues that stem from problem water include:

Foul odors and tastes: If you notice a bleach taste or smell in your water, too much chlorine could be to blame.
Sediment and dissolved solids: Water may have high levels of dissolved minerals and salts that impact taste and appearance.
Safety concerns: Certain contaminants, such as PFOS, mercury and nitrite, can go undetected without testing and pose a health risk.

Using and drinking reverse osmosis water can help make a difference for your overall quality of life. Benefits of a reverse osmosis system include:

Water that tastes, smells and feels better: With a reverse osmosis system, you can enjoy cleaner, great-tasting water not just for drinking but also for cooking.
Reduced contaminants: Reverse osmosis systems typically include multiple stages of filtration that can address a broad array of contaminants, including chlorine, lead, fluoride, mercury, bacteria, viruses and more – including emerging contaminants like PFOA/PFOS
Less sediment: Most RO systems can reduce larger particles such as rust, dirt and sand.

In addition to these benefits for your health and home, a reverse osmosis system can also help to reduce the number of single-use water bottles you purchase. This can help you save money while also offering a more environmentally friendly solution for drinking water.

How Much Is a Reverse Osmosis System?

Reverse osmosis water filtration systems vary in price according to the model, the manufacturer and other factors. Generally speaking, under-sink drinking water options are a more affordable solution than whole-house, point-of-entry systems.

Reverse osmosis is one of the most effective ways to broad treat water against a wide variety of potential issues. While the initial investment may be higher than a basic solution like a filtered pitcher or the filter in your refrigerator, an RO system can provide much more comprehensive filtration, so you can rest assured that your family will have high-quality water available for all of their needs, whether that means enjoying a glass straight from the tap, cooking, or preparing beverages like coffee, tea and lemonade. You’ll also never have to deal with the additional costs or hassle of single-use bottles of water – and you can save a lot of waste from landfills, too.

If you’re worried about the upfront expenses of purchasing and installing a new RO system in your home, look for financing opportunities, as well as rental options and other payment solutions.

What Are the Different Culligan Reverse Osmosis Systems That Are Available?

Every household is different. That’s why we offer a range of Culligan RO systems to choose from. See how they compare below.

Aquasential® Smart Reverse Drinking Water Filtration System: The Aquasential Smart RO is certified to reduce 58 contaminants and offers up to 7 stages of filtration and 12 filter options. Smart technology lets you track water consumption and contaminants reduced. You can also see cost savings and bottles saved from reduced use of single-use plastic water bottles.
Aquasential® Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System: Get an unlimited supply of cleaner, safer water with a system that’s customized to your home’s specific water needs. Certified to reduce 60 contaminants, the system is designed for easy setup and maintenance. An optional integrated monitor light on your faucet can indicate when it’s time to change filters, which can last up to two years.
Aquasential® Tankless Reverse Osmosis System: The unique tankless design delivers the quality water your home depends on without taking up extra space under your sink. The filtration system reduces dissolved solids in your water by up to 95% and provides over 600 gallons of cleaner, safer drinking water per day.

Reverse Osmosis FAQs

Are you still looking for answers to common questions related to the value and benefits of a home RO filtration system? Read on to explore our FAQs.

Is Drinking Reverse Osmosis Water Bad for You?

According to the Water Quality Association, RO water doesn’t pose any health concerns for healthy populations. Reverse osmosis helps to treat drinking water for a broad array of potential contaminants, minimizing possible issues so you can enjoy great-tasting water. While reverse osmosis may reduce the amount of minerals found in your drinking water, many RO systems allow for the use of remineralization solutions – such as Culligan’s Mineral Boost Cartridge – if you want to add back select minerals like calcium or increase the water’s pH.

Can You Buy Reverse Osmosis Water at the Store?

Some commercially available single-use bottles of water state that they are treated with RO in addition to other processes. Installing an RO filtration system at home ensures that you have an on-demand supply of reverse osmosis water, not only for drinking, but also for cooking and other uses.

How Much Does RO Water Cost?

The answer to this question depends on whether you’re purchasing single-use bottles of water from the grocery store or treating your drinking water at home with your own RO system. There are initial costs to purchase and set up your reverse osmosis system, but with some basic maintenance, you’ll be able to avoid the ongoing expense – and the hassle – of purchasing single-use bottles of water on an ongoing basis.

Is Reverse Osmosis Worth the Cost?

Cleaner, great-tasting water is invaluable. There are ways to ensure that you have a cost-effective supply of RO water available in your home at all times, such as buying, renting or financing an affordable reverse osmosis filtration system to be installed under your kitchen sink. With this kind of RO system in place, you won’t have to worry about researching which single-use bottles of water are appropriately treated. You can forgo the ongoing expenses associated with these bottles, too. If you’re experiencing water quality issues at home, an RO system can provide you with convenience, lasting peace of mind and water that truly passes the taste test.

Not sure which RO system is right for you? Contact your local Culligan water expert to find the best option for your home.

*Contaminants may not necessarily be present in your water.