Winter-proofing your Reverse Osmosis (RO) system is crucial to prevent freezing and maintain optimal performance during colder months. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to help you winterize your RO system:
Locate and Insulate Pipes:
Identify all exposed pipes connected to your RO system.
Use pipe insulation sleeves to cover exposed pipes, especially those located in unheated areas like basements or garages.
Ensure a snug fit to provide adequate insulation against the cold.
Protect Outdoor Components:
If your RO system has outdoor components, such as pre-filters or membranes, consider installing a protective cover or enclosure to shield them from snow and freezing temperatures.
Make sure the cover is well-ventilated to prevent condensation and humidity buildup.
Install a Heated Wrap:
For additional protection in extremely cold climates, consider using a heated wrap or tape specifically designed for water pipes.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the heated wrap, and ensure it has a thermostat to regulate temperature.
Insulate the Entire System:
If your RO system is located in an unheated space, consider insulating the entire system. Use insulation blankets or foam boards to wrap around the unit.
Pay attention to sensitive components like the pressure pump and valves.
Install a Space Heater:
If the RO system is in an area without sufficient heating, consider using a space heater to maintain a moderate temperature.
Position the heater away from direct contact with the RO system components and follow safety guidelines.
Regular Maintenance:
Perform routine maintenance, such as changing filters and checking for leaks, before the onset of winter.
Address any issues promptly to prevent them from escalating during colder weather.
Monitor Weather Conditions:
Stay informed about upcoming weather conditions. If an extreme cold spell is forecasted, take additional precautions, such as increasing the water flow or applying extra insulation.
By following these steps, you can help ensure that your reverse osmosis system remains operational and efficient, even in the coldest winter conditions. If in doubt or if you’re unsure about certain aspects of winterizing your RO system, contact our team for further guidance.
Changing the filters in your
Reverse Osmosis system is essential. We recommend pre-filters are changed every
6 months, or earlier if you use a lot of water. RO-MAN systems have been designed
to operate at their best with normal, routine maintenance. By changing the
pre-filters on a regular six-month basis, any impurities in the water that may
potentially clog the membrane will be eliminated. This can extend the life the of RO membrane.
Which
filters?
The first step is ensuring you
have the correct replacement filter. With the range of RO systems on the market
it is easy to get a little confused when choosing the correct filter set. While
we do sell our filters individually, in order to get the best from your RO
system we find that it is best to do a complete filter set change, rather than
change the filters singly. This is also more cost effective both in buying the
filters and in the productivity of your system.
Below we have outlined the filter set to match the correct Reverse Osmosis unit.
Reverse Osmosis and Deionisation
4 Stage Professional Reverse Osmosis System. Filters Needed: 4 Stage Professional System Replacement Filter Set – 10 inch 5 Micron Spun Sediment filter, 10 inch Carbon Block filter, Mixed Bed DI resin
200, 300 and 450 Large Systems. Filters Needed: 200, 300 and 450 Large System Replacement Filter Set – 10 inch 5 Micron Spun Sediment filter and 10 inch Carbon Block filter and 10 inch Chlorplus Carbon filter
4040 Reverse Osmosis Systems
4040 Reverse Osmosis System. Filters Needed: 4040 Reverse Osmosis Filter Set – 20 inch 5 Micron Spun Sediment filter and 20 inch Carbon Block filter
HMA 2010 Metal Removal System. Filter Needed: HMA 2010 Metal Removal System Filter Set – 10 inch 5 Micron Spun Sediment filter, 10 inch CBR2 Carbon filter and 10 inch Chlorplus Carbon filter
HMA 3020 Metal Removal System. Filters Needed: HMA 3020 Metal Removal System Filter Set – 20 inch 5 Micron Spun Sediment filter, 20 inch Chlorplus Carbon filter and Metal Removing Resin
HMA System Metal Removing 2100. Filters Needed: Long Life Metal Removing Unit 2100 ml – 10 inch 5 Micron Spun Sediment filter, 10 inch Carbon Block filter, Metal Removing Resin
We hope that you will find all the information that you need in order to choose the correct filter set for your RO unit. However, if you are in any doubt of which filter set you require or if you do not see your particular system on this list please do not hesitate to get in touch either via telephone or email helpdesk@ro-man.com. We will be happy to advise you further in choosing the correct filter set.
Filter Replacement Instructions
Even though most systems will
have slight variations, these steps to replace filters should work for most.
Before you begin, we advise that you wash your hands to avoid contaminating the
new filters and the inside of your system. Waterproof covers and towels are a
good idea to have on hand. You may find it convenient to have a container in
which to placing the housings and old filters until you can dispose of them
properly.
Turn off the water supply and press the red pressure-relief button (if present). If you have a storage tank, switch it to closed. Open the RO faucet to release any pressure and drain the remaining water. Once the dripping stops, close the faucet.
Place your container below the housings and unscrew by turning anticlockwise. You may find it easier to use a housing wrench for this. Discard any water and take out the old filter cartridges.
Clean the filter housing and cap thoroughly.
Check that the o rings on the housings are clean and in good condition. If they show any signs of wear they should be replaced. Should you need something to lubricate the o rings, silicone grease or petroleum jelly is suitable. Place the o rings in the correct position to avoid leaks.
Unwrap the new filter cartridge and insert into the housing. Once you have ensured the filter and o ring is in place, screw the filter housing back into the cap. Again, you may find it easier to use a housing wrench. Be careful not to over tighten.
To change inline filters, push in and hold down the collet against the quick connect fitting to pull out the tubing. Repeat this on both ends.
Remove the cartridge and install replacement. The arrow will indicate the flow direction.
Reconnect the filter by pushing the tubing into the fitting on both ends. Check for a secure connection by pulling back on the tubing.
The water supply can now be switched back on and check the system for any visible air traps.
Switch the tank and faucet on if they are part of your system. It is very important to flush the filters for at least 5 minutes, or until water runs clear before the system is used.
Storage tanks should be filled completely and emptied at least once.
The system is now ready for use.
Changing the Membrane
The lifespan of a RO membrane will
depend on how they are treated and maintained. With proper maintenance of
pre-filters, a membrane should last from 2 to 5 years.
The easiest method to determine
if your membrane needs changing is by measuring water Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
with a TDS meter. Firstly, test the TDS of the tap water followed by testing
the TDS of the RO water. A properly functioning membrane will have removed
approximately 95% of all contaminants in the water. If you find this is not the
case, it is time to replace your membrane.
It is good practice to replace
the flow restrictor at the same time of replacing the membrane to keep your
system operating efficiently. If you are
unsure of the membrane you require, the number on your flow restrictor can help
indicate this.
Flow restrictor number 300 = 50 GPD membrane Flow restrictor number 420 = 75 GPD membrane Flow restrictor number 550 = 100 GPD membrane Flow restrictor number 800 = 150 GPD membrane
The majority of RO systems have
one membrane located horizontally above the vertical filter housings. Membranes
are quick and easy to replace:
Begin by turning off the water supply. If you have a storage tank, close the valve and open the faucet to drain any remaining water and then close.
To remove the tubing from the membrane housing cap, push in and hold down the collet against the quick connect fitting to release tubing. Pull the tubing out.
Remove the cap by turning clockwise. You may find using a wrench will help.
Take out the old membrane, use pliers if necessary.
Clean the membrane housing thoroughly.
Unwrap and insert the new membrane (with the two black o rings first) into the housing until it has sealed tight.
Check that the black rubber o ring is in good condition and in place before screwing the housing cap back on.
Reconnect the membrane by pushing the tubing into the cap fitting. Check for a secure connection by pulling back on the tubing.
The water supply can now be switched back on and the system checked for leaks.
Switch the tank and faucet on if they are part of your system. It is very important to flush the filters for at least 15 minutes.
Storage tanks should be filled completely and emptied at least once.
Discard the first one or two full tanks of water before use. This will flush out the preservative inside the membrane. If the water still has a strange taste or odour after two rounds, keep flushing until the water is suitable for use.
Do you need a Reverse Osmosis system but unsure which is suitable for your requirements? Keep reading for a few points to consider.
What do you plan to use the water for? Once you have established what you need the system for this will narrow down your options. Our RO-MAN systems can be used in a variety of applications including commercial and industrial, laboratories, fish-keeping, window cleaning, domestic and household as well as dental.
We have a wealth of experience in the water industry and have created a range of the perfect systems for any requirement. We also manufacture bespoke systems should you have specific requirements. Our bespoke systems will be made to meet your exact needs, should this be water pressure, certain contaminants within your water or height restrictions where the system will be located. More information on bespoke systems can be found here.
How many stages of filtration should a Reverse Osmosis system should have? No Reverse Osmosis filter media can remove all types of contaminants on their own and for this reason Reverse Osmosis systems are comprised of different stages. RO-MAN systems start with 3 stages and can have as many as 6 different stages.
Our 3 Stage systems typically contain a sediment filter, a carbon based filter and a reverse osmosis membrane. Our 4 stage systems have an additional filter – granulated active carbon filter or deionisation resin depending on which system you choose. Our drinking water systems have 6 stages which include a specific carbon for taste and odour as well as an enriching re-mineraliser.
How much water can a Reverse Osmosis system produce? Once you have established what you need a system to do and have chosen a system to suit your needs, it is important to consider how much water you need this to produce. This will help you pick the correct size of system. The majority of systems will have a production rate of 50% to 75% of system size. For example: a customer wanting a system to produce pure drinking water may not need as much water produced as a customer needing pure water for their fish tank.
For fish keeping our most popular system size is 150 GPD and for producing drinking water our most popular systems is 50 GPD. It is important to note that the 50 GPD rating is the speed that an Reverse Osmosis system makes water. This size of system will produce a gallon of water per hour providing enough water for the most households.
Do Reverse Osmosis systems waste water? In the Reverse Osmosis process, water is used to wash impurities out of your water. In doing this, water will carry away the impurities and particles that are too small to be caught by the filters. This could be considered waste water. In general, Reverse Osmosis systems use approximately 4 gallons of water to produce 1 gallon of clean, pure, filtered water. This waste water is similar to most other household appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers.
Do I need a tap? RO-MAN Drinking Water and Dental systems come complete with a tap and storage tank as standard. Should you require a tap fitted to your system, we can do so as required. Our faucets and taps can be found here.
What about water hardness? If the water flowing into a Reverse Osmosis system has a hardness level above 7 grains per gallon (GPG), the addition of a water softener pre-treatment may be beneficial. Reverse Osmosis systems will not soften water and by adding this pre-treatment it may help preserve the life the system and membrane. However, this is not essential.
Does water pressure matter? Reverse Osmosis membranes require a minimum of about 40 PSI to operate efficiently and most water supplies meet this minimum requirement. Should you plan to use your Reverse Osmosis system where low water pressure is a problem, using a booster pump is something that you may consider. Even for applications with sufficient water pressure a booster pump can greatly benefit your Reverse Osmosis system. Booster pumps will increase pressure which in turn increases the efficiency of an Reverse Osmosis membrane. Booster pumps are cost effective through increased Reverse Osmosis performance. The result will be much faster production of filtered water and less wastewater.
We have a range of booster pumps to work along with our Reverse Osmosis systems to ensure they are working and producing water efficiently. Our booster pumps can be found here.
Can I install it myself? Installation is a fairly simple and straight forward process. All systems come with a comprehensive installation guide with schematics and step by step processes. It should take approximately 30 minutes to install. If you are unfamiliar with Reverse Osmosis systems this could take approximately 45-60 minutes. Should you be unable to install this yourself, most plumbers should be able to install the system. Our installation guide can be found here.
Best Selling Systems
As explained previously, RO-Man have a wide range of systems to suit all requirements. Below we have briefly outlined our most popular systems.
Drinking Water System
Our most popular drinking water system is the Drinking Water 6 Stage Purification System. This complete system is a must for any person concerned for their family’s health. This excellent, high quality system produces fresh, pure, clean and great tasting water. More information on this system can be found here.
Fish Keeping
Our most popular system for fish keeping is our 4 Stage Professional Reverse Osmosis System. This system comes complete with sediment, carbon and deionisation resin to ensure your water is ultra pure for your marine life. This system can be found here.
Dental System
We have developed a high quality dental system with the industry in mind. We have created and manufactured an expert system that is suitable for use in both smaller and larger practices. This system will produce an ample supply of pure water for autoclaves, drills and other dental equipment. This system and further information can be found here.
Window Cleaning
RO-Man have a number of systems and options suitable for window cleaning, both large and smaller scales can use. We have an excellent 4 Stage Professional System that can produce up to 150 GPD as well as an industrial 4040 system that will produce large volumes of water for larger scale companies. The 4 Stage Professional Reverse Osmosis system can be found here. The 4040 Twin membrane Reverse Osmosis system can be found here.
Industrial
We have created and manufactured a high performing, excellent quality industrial 4040 system. This commercial Reverse Osmosis system is suitable for window cleaners, aquatic applications and much more. This heavy duty system will produce up to 2000 gallons of water per day, removing an average of 97 – 99% of contaminants. This high quality Reverse Osmosis system can be found here.
Here at RO-Man we pride ourselves on expert advice and excellent sales care, both pre and post purchase. Should you have any questions after reading the above pointers or need a little more advice, please contact us. One of our expert team will be happy to talk you through our systems and which would suit your own personal requirements. We can be contact by telephone on 01823 698813, email at helpdesk@ro-man.com or online contact form.
Reverse osmosis (RO) is one of
the most convenient and effective filtration methods available. RO membranes
can usually remove between 96 – 99% of most contaminants, including salts, minerals,
dyes, particles, bacteria, and hazardous metals.
In reverse osmosis, contaminants
are separated from water by forcing it through a semi-permeable membrane. This
membrane acts as a physical barrier to almost all molecules with a molecular
weight greater than 200 grams/mole. For example, the membrane may allow passage
of water molecules but block molecules of dissolved salt. These unwanted
molecules are retained by the membrane while the ultra-pure water continues on
for use or further treatment. This is the same technology used to make bottled
water and is the only technology capable of desalinating sea water to be made
into drinking water.
Non-RO water filters are much
less effective. They can filter out coarse particles, sediments and elements but
anything finer including most dissolved substances cannot be filtered out. This
will result in a lower quality of filtered water compared to RO filtration.
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