Comparison Between Flow-Tech vs. Reverse Osmosis

Flow-Tech and reverse osmosis (RO) systems both treat water. These systems treat water differently, however. You’ll still be able to consume the treated water, but what is the full comparison between Flow-Tech vs. reverse osmosis!?

For over 15 years, we’ve helped homeowners install different water treatment systems. At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re certified and licensed in water treatment system installations. We understand the major and minor differences between Flow-Tech and RO systems.

This article will focus on the following categories to highlight the differences between RO systems and Flow-Tech.

• Effectiveness
• Technology
• Environmental Impact
• Drinkability
• Warranty
• Cost
• Maintenance

After reading this article, you’ll better understand these differences, so you can explore and work with a technician on what type of water filtration system is ideal for your home.

What Is the Difference Between a Reverse Osmosis System and Flow-Tech?

Do you want high-quality drinking water, or do you want to protect your entire home from scale buildup? That’s the first question all homeowners should consider when deciding on installing Flow-Tech or a reverse osmosis system.

The water in Los Angeles is safe to drink but has tiny amounts of impurities. Water plants add chlorine and chloramines (a mix of chlorine and ammonia) to kill off pollutants like bacteria.

Los Angeles water also contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which cause hard water. When hard water is heated, the minerals precipitate and stick to surfaces such as fixtures, appliances, and plumbing pipes.

Limescale buildup and impurities are two things that Flow-Tech and reverse osmosis address separately. Flow-Tech is an anti-scaling system, and RO systems are one of the most effective water filtration systems.

Flow-Tech vs. Reverse Osmosis: Effectiveness

Both Flow-Tech and reverse osmosis systems treat water but with different highly-effective outcomes. Flow-Tech’s electromagnetic signals can eliminate years of limescale buildup after a couple of months and continue to prevent it from building up again. With its multi-filtration stages, RO systems can purify up to 99% of impurities in water.

One of the differences in these systems is how where they initiate the filtration process. Flow-Tech is installed near a water heater and addresses the scale in the water pipes throughout the home. RO systems are installed at a single entry point, such as a kitchen sink, and only provide purified water at a single source.

Both systems are small and only take up a little space. Reverse osmosis systems fit under most sinks, and Flow-Tech is even smaller and takes up very little wall space.

The technology behind these water treatment systems sounds complex, but we’ll simplify how they work in the following section.

Flow-Tech vs. Reverse Osmosis: Technology

Water can be treated for various purposes thanks to several different technologies. Flow-Tech and reverse osmosis will produce treated water, but how they achieve it is very distinctive.

Let’s examine how reverse osmosis purifies water through five, sometimes more, filtration stages.

1. Sediment Filter: The reverse osmosis stage begins with the sediment filter. This filter removes tiny physical impurities like rust, dirt, and sand.
2. Carbon Filter: It is common for municipal water plants to use chlorine to treat public water. Although it is safe to consume, it can affect the taste of water. The carbon filter attracts chlorine and prevents it from remaining in the water.
3. Second Carbon Filter: The second carbon filter acts like an extra filtration against chlorine, chloramine, foul tastes, and odors.
4. Reverse Osmosis Membrane: The membrane in this filtration stage removes tiny particles that can slip through the initial filters. The membrane consists of a special material that is very flexible. It traps the particles and allows water to pass through.
5. Post-Carbon Filter: Most RO systems include a post-carbon filtration stage to ensure water remains purified and crisp.

The water is available each time the tap is turned on and takes a couple of seconds to become filtered.

RO systems depend entirely on multiple filters, whereas Flow-Tech doesn’t use any filters. Flow-Tech sends out a thousand electromagnetic pulses per second that tackle the minerals responsible for causing scale.

The frequencies cause the minerals to stick together and crystalize. The crystalization prevents the minerals from sticking to surfaces and causing limescale.

Regardless of how these systems treat water, they’re both seen as environmentally friendly.

Flow-Tech vs. Reverse Osmosis: Environmental Impact

Flow-Tech and reverse osmosis systems have very little to no adverse environmental impact. RO system’s ability to produce highly filtered water eliminates the need for plastic water bottles. Plastic is one of the most polluted materials in the world, and reducing the need for bottled water helps reduce plastic pollution.

Water heaters are susceptible to scale buildup, which causes them to use up more energy to maintain an appropriate heat level. After installing Flow-Tech, water heaters will experience an increase in efficiency and cut down on energy usage, which positively impacts the environment.

Flow-Tech anti-scaling system doesn’t produce any wastewater. Other water treatment systems, such as water softeners, have heavy brine discharge, which is challenging to filter at large water plants.

Both systems are environmentally friendly and produce drinkable water. But which one has the better-tasting water quality?

Flow-Tech vs. Reverse Osmosis: Drinkability

Reverse osmosis systems and Flow-Tech produce drinking water, but RO systems create better quality water for drinking and cooking. RO systems were specifically designed to filter water so that it is better tasting. People with RO systems installed have reported an increase in water drinking habits thanks to its highly efficient filtration process.

According to research, Flow-Tech retains minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which has beneficial properties. Flow-Tech treats water for scale buildup but doesn’t filter out other impurities like RO systems.

As soon as you install these systems, you’ll be able to continue to drink water. If something happens with these systems, it’s best to know their warranties so you can continue to enjoy hydration.

Flow-Tech vs. Reverse Osmosis: Warranty

The warranty coverage for Flow-Tech and reverse osmosis systems are slightly different, but both cover defects and have similar terms and conditions. Flow-Tech has a three-year warranty with a one-year money-back guarantee.

Reverse osmosis systems come with a five-year warranty, with parts covered by one year, depending on the manufacturer. The warranties for both systems start from the purchase date, but how much do they cost?

Flow-Tech vs. Reverse Osmosis: Costs

Reverse osmosis and Flow-Tech have different costs, with some RO systems costing less than Flow-Tech without including installation costs. An RO system can cost $400 to $1,200 without installation and $1,600 to $3,200 with installation. RO systems have a few price factors you should consider as well.

Flow-Tech anti-scaling unit is available for $2,800 to $3,200. Licensed technicians only sell the unit, so the price also includes installation.

Once you purchase and have these systems installed, maintenance comes easy.

Flow-Tech vs. Reverse Osmosis: Maintenance

Flow-Tech is advertised as maintenance-free, whereas RO systems aren’t but are generally easy to maintain. Once you install Flow-Tech, it doesn’t require maintenance, although a yearly checkup is recommended to ensure its signal is dialed in. Flow-Tech will operate fine as long as there’s electricity powering it.

Failure to properly maintain an RO system will impact its ability to filter water. RO systems have filters that require replacement every six to 12 months. The reverse osmosis membrane should be replaced every two years.

Which One of These Systems Is Right for Me?

Shopping for water filtration systems can be confusing, and deciding between reverse osmosis and Flow-Tech can be difficult. After reading this article, you should better understand how these systems work and their differences. With your newfound knowledge, you’ll gain an advantage when shopping for a water filtration system and be confident enough to discuss it with a technician.

At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re highly trained and experienced in dealing with all kinds of filtration systems. Our insider knowledge has helped homeowners across Los Angeles make confident decisions about the water filtration systems they want for their homes.

If you have questions or concerns about water filtration systems, contact us using one of the buttons below. You can also book an appointment with one of our certified and licensed technicians through our water filtration scheduler.

Reverse osmosis and Flow-Tech aren’t the only water filtration systems available; check out these other systems and their associated costs for more information.