How Much Do Reverse Osmosis Systems Cost?

The cost of the reverse osmosis system will depend on various factors, including the type of system you prefer and how you choose to install it.

You can expect to pay around $200 to $2000, depending on your chosen system and installation method.

Or, you can pay $30 to $80 a month for a rental system.

You have four options. These are the do-it-yourself method (where you find and buy the system and handle the installation yourself), the done-for-you method (where an expert will help you choose then will install the system for you), the hybrid method (where you’ll find and buy the system and then hire a plumber to install it for you), and the renting method (where you’ll borrow your system and everything is taken care of for you).

Let’s go through each of these options and explore the other factors that can determine how much do reverse osmosis systems cost.

Different Reverse Osmosis Systems

As we mentioned, you have four options when it comes to buying the reverse osmosis system most suitable for your family.

Here they are:

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) System

Those looking for the most affordable option may start with a DIY system. You can buy these kits from big box stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot.

You may also order them online, and Amazon offers a lot of options from various brands.

Most of these kits are point of use systems. These are RO systems installed specifically where you need them.

For instance, this is a good idea if you only want to treat the water from your kitchen faucet since it’s where you get your drinking and cooking water.

This way, you won’t have to invest in a significantly more expensive whole house reverse osmosis system.

As such, these RO systems are often countertop or under-the-sink installations.

They come with step-by-step instructions that typically don’t require the use of any special tools.

However, we only recommend this option to buyers who are already confident with their DIY and/or plumbing skills.

After all, you will need to take full responsibility for any damage caused by improper installation, such as broken parts or water damage from leaks.

Done-for-You (DFY) System

If you’d rather hire a pro, then the next buying option would be ideal for you.

This, however, is typically the most expensive option, however is potentially the least hassle.

It’s where you get your system from an RO system company or water treatment dealership that will install your system for you as part of your purchased package.

Many users also opt for this plan when installing more complex systems.

For instance, a countertop unit is relatively easy to install, but an under sink unit might prove to be more complicated, especially for a beginner DIYer.

In relation, non-professionals are highly discouraged from attempting to install point of entry whole house RO systems.

In terms of installation costs, they can vary according to the size and complexity of your system.

Small units may cost a few hundred dollars to install. Meanwhile, whole house filtration systems can cost up to $1000.

Hybrid System

If it’s a point of use system, you may opt for a hybrid instead. It’s where you buy your RO system from Amazon or a big box store but decide to have it professionally installed.

Some plumbers charge for the entire installation, while others charge per hour. This can be a good “middle-of-the-road” price option.

Rented System

Finally, there are also water treatment dealerships that offer RO systems for rent.

There are a couple of reasons why you might want to consider renting instead of purchasing your system, including:

You’re in a temporary location.

Renting an RO system is ideal if you live in a rental. We also recommend it to people who frequently move for whatever reason is.

However, you may have to have homeowner permission to have it installed. Some water treatment dealers won’t install in rental properties.

You have really bad water quality.

One of the perks of renting a system is that most dealerships include regular maintenance and filter changes into your plan for free.

This will prove to be very beneficial if you’re sure that your system is going to be exposed to exceptionally poor water quality and will be required to work double (if not triple) time.

Three Main Types of RO Systems

Generally, RO system costs may be determined by their type, so you need to have a good understanding of each type.

That said, many water treatment dealerships categorize their units into three main systems, namely:

Point of Entry Systems

Also known as a whole house RO system, a point of entry RO is a system designed to treat your water at the main water line as it enters your home; hence, the name.

According to Forbes Home, a whole house system’s cost can range from $750 to $7500.

Point of Use Systems

As we have already mentioned, point of use systems are smaller units installed directly at the location where you need clean water the most, such as particular faucets around your home.

There are different point of use systems. They include countertop systems, under sink filters, and tankless units, just to name a few.

With their size and limited capacity, these RO systems typically cost between $150 and $1500.

Commercial Systems

Lastly, there are also commercial reverse osmosis systems specifically designed to handle a higher workload, even when compared to a whole house system.

A typical commercial reverse osmosis system can dispense large amounts of water via multiple points within a shorter period of time.

As such, they are great for water-intensive businesses such as breweries, hospitals, and hotels.

With their added capacity and efficiency, these RO systems are known to be the most expensive of the three types with costs ranging from $1000 to $20,000.

They also cost more to install.

How Much Do Reverse Osmosis Systems Cost?

Aside from the options and types we have featured above, the reverse osmosis system cost will also depend on the following factors:

Number of Stages

Aside from how and where they are installed, you may categorize reverse osmosis filter systems according to the number of their filtration stages.

The typical reverse osmosis system has four stages. These are:

1. Sediment or Mechanical Filtration
2. Activated Carbon Filtration for Membrane Protection
3. Reverse Osmosis Membrane 
4. Remineralization

Please note that these stages usually range from three to seven steps, so it is understandable why a house RO system gets more costly as its filtration process increases.

However, it is also not uncommon for brands to vary. For instance, a more high-end brand may offer a more costly three-stage system than another brand’s seven-stage kit. 

Certification

Another factor that can increase the price of home reverse osmosis systems is their certification.

Did they pass the standards of the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)?

While not required, this feature is something that we strongly advise you consider.

It’s very easy to get, so you might want to stay away from brands or models that don’t have one.

You may access the link we’ve shared above to check the full details of the National Sanitation Foundation certification process.

Offline vs Online: Where to Get Your Reverse Osmosis System?

We understand why you might be tempted to order your RO system online.

Not only is it more convenient, but plenty of models might seem more affordable compared to those offered by your local water treatment dealership.

However, we still recommend purchasing your RO system offline.

This way, you’ll have a better opportunity to guarantee the quality of your purchased system and ask anything you’d want to learn more about it, at least as opposed to just reading a product description page.

Potential Maintenance and Operation Costs

One of the things that we really like about RO systems, especially when compared to other filtration systems, is their longevity. 

For instance, it is not uncommon for a well-maintained reverse osmosis system to last for decades.

According to Home Advisor, maintenance entails an annual check for leaks and damaged parts.

Hoses, gaskets, and of course, the filters are those that need frequent replacement.

Fortunately, many systems come with a handy filter replacement chart that you can simply refer to as and when needed. 

You also expect to spend up to $100 to replace the RO membrane every three to five years and $25 to produce enough drinking water for a person for a month.

Please note that these prices will also depend on your RO system.

A whole house system will certainly cost more to maintain annually compared to a countertop unit.

Finally, RO system repairs typically range from $150 to $1000.

Again, this will depend on the type of system and the extent of repairs needed.

Questions to Ask Before Getting an RO System

To further help you decide on the RO system that is most cost-efficient according to your needs and preferences, here are some of the questions you can ask your water treatment dealership agent:

1. How long has the company been in business?

As mentioned, reverse osmosis systems can sometimes last for decades.

Hence, you might want to choose an RO system manufacturer or water treatment dealership with at least a decade of operations.

This way, there’s a better chance that the company will still be there when the time comes that you need help in the future.

2. What filter size will your RO system come in?

It can sometimes be tempting to get an RO system that comes with free replacement filters.

However, ensuring that the system comes with a universally-sized filter is more important.

For instance, how hard will it be to look for a same-sized filter once your freebies run out after three years?

Will you still be able to source it from the same company? More importantly, will you still be able to source it elsewhere should the original company run out of business?

Answers to these questions are important to ensure you can use your RO system for a long time.

3. How can you get your system maintained and repaired?

Some of the questions you need to ask yourself in terms of maintenance and repair are:

• What happens when your RO system malfunctions?
• What is stated in the warranty?
• Who will repair it?
• What is the process to get it maintained or repaired?

4. What are the extra features included with your system?

The most common additional features you’ll find in some RO systems are:

• Extra pumps that can boost your system’s pressure and flow rate
• Remineralization that adds beneficial minerals back to your water
• A leak detection shutoff system to help prevent water waste or water damage in case of disrepair.

Reverse Osmosis Systems Cost FAQs

Lastly, allow us to answer some of the questions our readers frequently ask that can further give you an idea of how much RO systems usually cost.

1. Is it worth to install a reverse osmosis system?

Reverse osmosis is one of the most effective water treatment methods. It can remove up to 99.99% of contaminants present in the water.

In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this filtration method has a “very high effectiveness” in getting rid of bacteria and viruses.

It can also remove harmful chemicals and minerals.

As such, those with really poor water quality will benefit the most from getting an RO system installed.

Otherwise, you might want to explore other filtration methods一one that is not as costly nor wasteful when it comes to water consumption.

2. Is reverse osmosis expensive?

As we have already discussed above, reverse osmosis systems can vary greatly in cost.

Some units can be as low as a couple of hundred dollars, while others, such as commercial systems, can go as high as $20,000.

3. How much does a gallon of reverse osmosis water cost?

According to Forbes Home, the average cost of a gallon of reverse osmosis water in the U.S. costs 0.006 cents. 

This number was based on the amount of water consumed to produce a single gallon of water.

It doesn’t account for the initial installation costs and maintenance expenses.

The Cost of Clean Water

So, how much do reverse osmosis systems costs?

Well, you have a lot of different factors to consider to come up with an accurate estimate for your preferred system.

These include the various buying options, RO system type, unit specs, and added features.

Also, don’t forget to factor in the installation expenses, especially if you’re planning to get your RO system installed professionally.

Finally, RO systems require regular maintenance to further extend their service life and the value of your money.