Access to clean, safe drinking water is vital for absolutely everyone, but millions of Americans deal with high levels of chemicals, neurotoxins or other contaminants that threaten their health and that of their families. There are a few robust options when it comes to strong filtration for your home’s drinking water, and one of the most common and well-known is the reverse osmosis system.

At Lee’s Heating and Air, we’re thrilled to provide not only numerous air conditioning and heating repair services to clients around Salt Lake City, Provo, American Fork and nearby areas, but also several water filtration products and methods – including reverse osmosis systems. For those who are just learning about these for the first time, here are some basics on what a reverse osmosis system is, how it works, and some of the key benefits of utilizing one in your home. 

Reverse Osmosis Basics

So what are we even talking about when we say “reverse osmosis?” This term refers to a specific process in which water is pressured through a semi-permeable membrane, removing any contaminants and impurities it may contain. These membranes have pores that are incredibly small – only allowing pure water molecules to pass through while stopping everything else. 

This means that when water enters the reverse osmosis system, it’s essentially being screened through a very fine filter that only lets clean water molecules pass through. The end result is fresh, pure drinking water that’s completely safe for consumption.

The Reverse Osmosis Process

So now that you know what it does, let’s take a closer look at how this filtering process actually works. Reverse osmosis has a few basic phases that water will run through after coming out of your tap:

  • Stage 1: A sediment and carbon prefilter is in place to not only reduce chlorine, but also be sure that the actual membrane does not become clogged with sediment or other debris.
  • Stage 2: A semipermeable membrane designed to only allow water through is where the filtering begins. This eliminates up to 99% of dissolved solids and contaminants such as lead, mercury, arsenic, chromium, fluoride and more.
  • Stage 3: The third stage of this process uses a second carbon filter, known as an activate carbon filter, to remove any remaining impurities.
  • Stage 4: The final stage of the process is an inline carbon filter, which removes and remaining taste or odor before the water reaches your glass.

Benefits of Reverse Osmosis

There are several benefits to utilizing a reverse osmosis system for your drinking water. Some of these include:

  • Health: First and foremost, the removal of contaminants and impurities means that you and your family will be drinking clean, safe water that is free from potential health hazards. Rather than risking illness or other health issues from contaminated water, you can enjoy peace of mind with every glass.
  • Taste: With the removal of impurities and chemicals, many people find that their reverse osmosis filtered water simply tastes better than tap or even bottled water. No more plastic aftertaste or chlorine smell – just pure, refreshing drinking water.
  • Cost-Effective: While there is an initial investment in a reverse osmosis system, the long-term savings can be significant compared to buying bottled water regularly. This makes it both a practical and cost-effective solution for clean drinking water.
  • Environmentally Friendly: Speaking of those plastic bottles, using a reverse osmosis system greatly reduces waste and helps protect the environment. You’ll no longer need to rely on single-use bottles, which often end up in landfills or polluting our oceans.
  • Easy to maintain: Another great benefit of reverse osmosis systems is that they are relatively low-maintenance. Simply replace the filters as recommended and enjoy clean, fresh water with minimal effort.

As you can see, there are numerous reasons why a reverse osmosis system may be the ideal choice for your home. These systems offer a simple, effective and cost-efficient solution for clean drinking water that will benefit you and your family’s health for years to come. 

At Lee’s Heating and Air, we’re proud to provide installation, maintenance, and repair services for reverse osmosis systems in addition to our other quality products. Contact us today to learn more about our filtration options and how we can help you get clean, healthy drinking water, or about any of our other HVAC or water treatment services around SLC, Provo or American Fork.