Are APEC Water Systems Worth It? (Reviews & Buying Guide For 2022)

Kenneth Wilson

First established in California in 1995, APEC water systems are famous for their reverse osmosis (RO) filter units. (Related: How Much Does a Reverse Osmosis System Cost? (2022 Buying Guide))

APEC is short for Advanced Purification Engineering Corporation, a renowned American water systems manufacturer. They also offer whole-house water filters and conditioners. If you're thinking about purchasing APEC water systems, we're here to shed light on all its advantages and disadvantages (and everything you need to know).

Why Should You Consider APEC Water Systems?


Before anything else, here are a few reasons why choosing an APEC water system is a good idea.

RO-90

RO-PH90

  • Excellent quality: All APEC water filters are renowned for their durability and reliability. One simple online search will prove how the brand mostly has favorable customer reviews. (Related: 6 Best Salt-Free Water Softener Picks For 2022)
  • Cost-effective: APEC whole-house, under-sink, and RO water filters are considerably cheaper than their counterparts. Its maintenance is also relatively inexpensive, especially with cheap replacement filters.
  • WQA-certified: The popular APEC RO-90 reverse osmosis filter and the RO-PH90 are both WQA Gold Seal certified, as per the NSF Standard 58 for guaranteed material and parts safety, structural integrity, and contaminant rejection performance.
  • Easy Installation: Most of APEC's water filters are easy to install, given the right tools on hand. Each purchase also includes all the necessary parts you need for the installation.
  • Warranty Coverage: APEC water systems typically have 1-year warranty coverage, while others have up to 10 years. This depends on the unit you'll purchase. The warranty covers material and workmanship defects, provided it follows regular everyday use.
  • Support: Even after your APEC water system warranty expires, you can still count on their consistent support, especially for any water filter-related issues. The company has WQA-certified water specialists who can assist you with anything you need.
  • Free Drinking Water Charity Program: Each time you buy an APEC filter, the company donates 2 RO water filtration systems (ROES-50 or the RO-CTOP) to low-income individuals with medical conditions who need to consume purified water daily.
  • Standard-Sized Filters: Lastly, most APEC filters are standard-sized, so it is easy to find cheap replacements if you want to cut some costs.

What to Look For in an APEC Water System


If you're 100% certain about buying an APEX water system, here's a quick buying guide to cover what you need to consider:

System Type


First, ask yourself which water system type you need at home. The most common filter types are as follows:

  • Under-sink water filter If you need to filter the chlorine and other chemicals/sediment from the municipal water supply. This point-of-use filter system means you'll only get the filtered water from one faucet. Some of these systems are also designed to work with well water.
  • Under-sink RO system – This effectively clears out chlorine, heavy metals, and even microbes from municipal or well water. If you are growing increasingly concerned about drinking water with bacteria or heavy metals, this is the right system to use.
  • Whole-house water filters – If you want to filter ALL water that comes into your home's water supply, this is the system type you need. Whole-house filters effectively remove chlorine and other sediments in the municipal water. Homeowners who use well water may want to look for a water filter to remove common underground water contaminants, such as iron.
  • Whole-house water softener – Those dealing with hard water problems can benefit from a whole-house water softener to reduce your home water supply's hardness. Several systems are salt-free, so they alter the components of hard minerals to reduce scale instead of adding salt to the water.

Filtration Stages


For your reference, the number and filtration stage type of an APEC system determines how well it can filter the water and the foreign contaminants it filters out. In particular, expect a 7-stage system to be much more effective in filtering out foreign contaminants than a 5-stage system.

The filter type will determine the system's efficiency as well. Case in point: a catalytic carbon filter system will do a better job than a standard system with activated carbon in removing chloramines and chlorine.

If you're using well water at home, it's best to look for systems with specialized filters to eliminate iron, hydrogen sulfide, and other common well water contaminants. Those who want to ensure no germs are lurking in the water can benefit from a system with a RO membrane or UV sanitizer– maybe even one with both.

Capacity


Before placing an APEC water system order, first, check its Gallons Per Day (GPD) figure. This refers to the total amount of filtered water produced by the system daily.

You'll need a higher GPD number if you have a big family. Calculate the amount of filtered water you need to determine the ideal capacity you need every day. Whole-house systems may have thousands to tens of thousands, while an under-sink system can get by with a capacity of 50 to 100 GPD.

Ease of Installation


Your chosen system type defines how easy (or difficult) it will be to install your APEC water system at home. Fortunately, most under-sink systems have an easy installation process, although time-consuming. Meanwhile, you may want to call a local professional with the right experience and expertise to install a whole-house system correctly.

Maintenance


It's also recommended to check out the needed maintenance for each water system.

  • Water filters – Count the number of filters that need replacement and the average time before each one needs replacing. Consider the price of replacement filters in your area too. This will help you estimate the system's total maintenance cost.
  • Water softeners – Determine the frequency you'll need to add salt to the system.

Other than that, determine if the system uses any consumables that require regular replacing.

APEC Water System Positive Testimonials


“Excellent phone and in person customer service and EXCELLENT countertop portable water purifying system! - We needed a water purifying system that was budget-friendly, easy to install, that really worked (since I *hate* heavy tasting water) and was portable. It seemed almost impossible, and I was not about to start buying those huge 5 gallon bottles that'll injure your back any time you carry it to do a refill... (click link below for full review)” Yelp

“I recently purchased one of these APEC RO systems for my home, after finally coming to the realization that my old Brita just wasn't really doing much. The system makes 30+ gallons of water a day – which is helpful so that you don't have to sit around waiting for the water in your tank to refill. I ordered and installed this APEC unit myself…and was very thankful to have such a supportive service staff at APEC to turn to. (If I had to do it all over again though, I probably would call in my plumber. It did require a little time and patience!)” Health Guide for Women

“I have been wanting to get a good quality reverse osmosis system at home. After doing some research, I found a good system at APEC. I looked at the systems at Home Depot, Lowes, and Costco. Most of them have their own unique filter cartridges so you have to buy the replacements from them. They ranged from about $150-$200. Most of them were only 4 stages. The APEC has standard filter holders. Comes with an extra set of the first 3 pre-filters Made with top of the line NSF parts It doesn't flush the RO membrane like some system but uses 4:1 ratio for waste water The hardest part of the installation was drilling a hole in my porcelain sink for the facet. I got it installed and am very happy with the quality of the system.” Ih8mud Forum

APEC Water System Complaints


To provide a fair verdict, we’ve also compiled some of the most pressing complaints from long-time APEC customers.

  • The under-sink system has a low flow rate, especially Reverse Osmosis systems. Homeowners need to include a separate electric or permeate pump to fix the problem.
  • The standard 1-year warranty (for some products) seems to be behind other brands in the market. For instance, Home Master has a standard 2 to a 5-year warranty for their water systems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


Do APEC water filters last long?

Most APEC systems can last at least ten years with proper care and maintenance.

When should I change my APEC water filter?

The time to change your water filter depends on its type and size. The pre-filters for the under-sink RO systems last for one year while 3 to 5 years for the RO membrane. Filter lifespan is provided in gallons of water for a whole house system. You can determine when to replace each filter type by checking the user manual for instructions.

Kenneth Wilson
February 17, 2022
Interior, Reviews

Kenneth Wilson

Retired contractor. Currently residing in Southwest Florida. Now in semi-retirement, I write and manage this blog focused on helping home owners make savvy decisions when it comes to finding contractors and getting their projects done. I also operate remodeling design service for homeowners.

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