Whole-house Reverse-osmosis Systems

Whole-house Reverse-osmosis Systems | Water Purification | Plumbing | Bluff City

Imagine every tap in your Bluff City home delivering crisp, crystal-clear water that rivals premium bottled brands. HEP’s whole-house reverse-osmosis systems plumbing quietly scrubs out contaminants, odors, and excess minerals before they ever reach your glass, coffee maker, or showerhead, giving you peace of mind with every sip and splash. From safeguarding your family’s health to extending the life of appliances and fixtures, our technicians design each solution around your household’s unique needs—so you enjoy pure comfort without lifting a finger.

Backed by decades of local expertise, we handle everything from system selection and seamless installation to ongoing maintenance, all while respecting your schedule and budget. Whether you’re upgrading an older treatment setup or building your dream home, trust HEP to turn ordinary tap water into extraordinary refreshment through advanced water purification. Schedule your free consultation today and feel the HEP difference flow through your entire home.

FAQs

1. What exactly is a whole-house reverse-osmosis (RO) system and how is it different from a standard under-sink RO unit?

A whole-house RO system is a central purification skid that treats every drop of water as it enters your Bluff City home—not just the water at a single faucet. It pushes incoming water through a series of pre-filters (sediment, carbon, and often a water softener) and then through a semi-permeable membrane that removes 95–99 % of dissolved salts, metals, pesticides, PFAS, and other contaminants. The purified water is stored in a large atmospheric tank and repressurized so it can serve all fixtures—showers, laundry, ice makers, and outdoor spigots—without compromising flow. Under-sink RO units purify only one point of use and normally deliver 1–3 gallons per day; a whole-house system can deliver 300–2,000 gallons daily, making it suitable for families that want bottled-water quality throughout the home.

2. Why might Bluff City homeowners consider whole-house RO when we already have relatively soft municipal water?

Bluff City’s municipal supply typically meets federal standards, but it still contains measurable levels of chlorine/chloramine, trace pharmaceuticals, agricultural runoff, and hardness in the 3–6 grains per gallon range. Many homes on the outskirts rely on private wells that can show higher iron, sulfur, and even bacterial contamination after heavy rain events common to the South Holston watershed. A whole-house RO system delivers consistently low-TDS water (< 20 ppm) that eliminates chlorine taste, prevents scale in tankless water heaters, protects plumbing fixtures from staining, and allows spot-free rinsing of vehicles and windows. For immune-compromised residents, babies, or those with skin sensitivities, RO water also removes the last traces of VOCs and disinfection by-products that carbon filters alone can’t catch.

3. What does the installation process involve and how long will my water be offline?

A typical installation includes (1) site survey and water test, (2) selection of pre-filtration—sediment, carbon, and optional softener or iron filter, (3) placement of the RO skid, storage tank (usually 100–300 gal), and a re-pressurization pump, and (4) tie-in to the main water line and drain. For most Bluff City homes with accessible basements or utility rooms, the work can be completed in 6–8 hours. Your water will be fully shut off for only 1–2 hours while the plumber cuts into the main line; the remainder of the day you may have limited pressure while the system is flushed and disinfected. For slab-on-grade houses, extra time may be needed to run a drain to a sump or sewer connection.

4. Will a whole-house RO system waste a lot of water, and can that be reduced?

Older RO membranes rejected up to 4 gallons for every gallon produced. Modern high-efficiency systems installed by our Bluff City technicians use 1:1 or 1.5:1 recovery ratios—meaning only 1–1.5 gallons go to drain for every gallon of purified water. We can route the concentrate line to irrigate landscaping, flush toilets, or fill livestock troughs, further cutting waste. Periodic membrane cleaning, maintaining 60–70 psi feed pressure, and installing a permeate pump also maximize recovery and lower wastewater volumes.

5. What routine maintenance does the system need and what does it cost?

Maintenance is straightforward: (1) Replace sediment and carbon pre-filters every 6–12 months ($60–$120); (2) Sanitize the storage tank and lines annually ($75 if done during filter change); (3) Test total dissolved solids (TDS) monthly with the hand-held meter we provide—when permeate TDS rises to 10–15 % of feed TDS, the membrane needs replacement (typically every 3–5 years, $250–$400). If you have a pre-softener, replenish salt as needed. Our optional service plan runs about $29/month and covers all filters, labor, and yearly water-quality reports.

6. What is the price range for a whole-house RO system in Bluff City and are there any incentives?

Installed cost depends on flow rate, storage volume, and feed-water conditions. Most three-bathroom homes fall between $6,500 and $9,500, including pre-filtration, 200-gal atmospheric tank, and stainless booster pump. Larger homes or wells with iron/sulfur issues can run $10k–$14k. Some homeowners insurance policies offer appliance-protection discounts once RO equipment is documented, and TVA’s EnergyRight program occasionally offers rebates for high-efficiency pumps (check current cycles). Financing is available through our local credit-union partner from $99/month with 0 % interest for 12 months.