Choosing Between 5-Stage and 7-Stage Reverse Osmosis Systems: Your Guide to Superior Home Water Filtration

When it comes to protecting your family’s health with clean, pure water, reverse osmosis systems have become the gold standard for home water treatment. However, with options ranging from basic 3-stage systems to advanced 7-stage configurations, many homeowners find themselves wondering: Are 5 stages really better than 4? The honest answer is no. The truth is more nuanced than simple stage counting, and understanding the real differences between 5-stage and 7-stage systems can help you make the right choice for your home.

Understanding Reverse Osmosis System Stages

A “stage” is talking about a filtration step. So if a system uses 5 steps of filtration, it would be a 5 stage system. Each of the stages (or steps) of filtration has a specific purpose in the system. It’s not a one-filter-fits-all type of situation – some remove chemicals, some remove dirt, and so on.

A standard RO system is equipped with 3 separate filter stages. Sediment, carbon, and reverse osmosis. Each filtration stage plays an important role on their own and also complement one another to achieve the best water filtration possible. Reverse Osmosis is the final stage of the filtration process and it is also the core of the entire system. In this stage, the water is pushed through a semipermeable membrane that has a rated pore size of 0.0001 microns. Up to 99% of all impurities such as lead, arsenic, and nitrates are removed from the water.

5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Systems: The Balanced Approach

A 5-stage reverse osmosis system may contain an additional carbon prefilter or a remineralization cartridge. The typical configuration includes:

• Sediment prefilter: A sediment prefilter screens out dirt, sand, rust and other microscopic particles 15 times smaller than a grain of sand.
• Carbon prefilter: An activated carbon prefilter reduces elements that cause water to taste and smell unpleasant, including chlorine.
• 2nd carbon prefilter: Another activated carbon prefilter reduces elements that cause water to taste and smell unpleasant, including the taste and odor of chlorine.
• RO membrane: The reverse osmosis membrane filters out dissolved solids, including radium, lead, arsenic, and many others.
• Polishing filter: The polishing filter is a second activated carbon filter that polishes the water to make sure it’s crystal clear.

A 5-stage system will incorporate more carbon filters than a 3-stage system, effectively removing more chlorine, chloramines, foul tastes, and odors than the 3-stage system. However, it’s important to note that there’s really no added benefit in offering 2 stages of carbon filters if they are only using the same type of filtration as the one before.

7-Stage Reverse Osmosis Systems: Advanced Filtration Technology

7-stage systems represent the pinnacle of home water filtration technology. The 7 stage reverse osmosis system with UV disinfection provides the ultimate in home water filtration, removing up to 99% of impurities found in tap water and eliminating bacteria, parasites, algae and other microorganisms.

Advanced 7-stage systems typically include:

• Three pre-filtration stages (sediment and dual carbon filters)
• Reverse osmosis membrane
• Post-carbon polishing filter
• Alkaline Remineralization (AK) filter restores healthy minerals and a natural alkaline balance, also producing a more natural taste that comes from the presence of the right balance of these minerals.
• Powerful 11W UV stage – This built-in UV filtration stage provides added peace of mind by delivering an extra layer of protection for your drinking water. The system features a smart flow sensor that turns on the UV light only when needed, helping save energy and extend the lamp’s life.

This Reverse Osmosis system RCC7AK-UV is able to remove up to 99% of over 1,000 harmful contaminants like chlorine, fluoride, lead (removes up to 98%), arsenic, asbestos, calcium, sodium and more.

Key Differences and Considerations

Generally, the more stages an RO system has, the higher quality the output water will be. Compared to many common home water filters, however, a 3-stage and 5-stage RO system both output high quality water. The main advantages of 7-stage systems include:

UV Sterilization: UV Disinfection: Eliminates bacteria, parasites, algae and other microorganisms, providing you with safe, ultra pure water that is free from harmful contaminants. This is particularly beneficial for well water or areas with questionable water sources.

Remineralization: pH+ Alkaline Water: Remineralizes the water to restore essential minerals that are lost during the filtration process, making it alkaline and improving its taste and health benefits.

Cost Considerations: The number of stages in a system determine factors, such as size of the system, maintenance expenses, and overall system price. The more stages you have in your RO system, the more cartridges you will need to purchase on a regular basis. If you choose a system with proprietary cartridges, these will also be more expensive than standard cartridge replacements.

Which System Is Right for Your Home?

At least 4 stages is typically recommended for most applications. If you’re on well water or an area with high levels of sediment, you may want to consider a system that has extra pre-filtration (5 stages). Four to five-stage RO systems will provide adequate filtration for most applications.

Choose a 5-stage system if you:

• Have municipal water with standard contaminant levels
• Want excellent filtration at a moderate cost
• Prefer simpler maintenance requirements

Consider a 7-stage system if you:

• Have well water or unreliable water sources
• Want the highest possible water purity
• Prefer remineralized, alkaline water
• Are willing to invest in premium filtration technology

Professional Installation and Service

Regardless of which system you choose, professional installation and ongoing service are crucial for optimal performance. For residents seeking a quality reverse osmosis system Lake County, FL, it’s essential to work with experienced water treatment professionals who understand local water conditions and can recommend the best solution for your specific needs.

Quality Safe Water of Florida is dedicated to ensuring every Florida family has access to clean, safe, and purified water. We are committed to providing the highest quality, efficient, and affordable water treatment solutions, prioritizing the health and well-being of our customers. Our unwavering dedication to this vision sets us apart as Florida’s most trusted water treatment company, never wavering from our founders’ original mission.

The choice between a 5-stage and 7-stage reverse osmosis system ultimately depends on your specific water quality needs, budget, and preferences. We believe that the less stages you have to use to achieve the water quality that you desire the better, less cost up front and less cost in replacement cartridges, why use a seven stage system when you can achieve the same results with a two stage. However, for those seeking the ultimate in water purity and are dealing with challenging water conditions, a 7-stage system with UV sterilization and remineralization can provide unmatched peace of mind and water quality.