Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I am a General Contractor/Home builder. We originally had a RO system that provided us with excellent tasting water, but took up most of the under-cabinet and had to be sanitized with bleach at each filter change.. We don't have hard water and our tap water is drinkable but we wanted it cleaner, and the RO had intermittent leak problems. Could I find a system that would relieve us of the clutter , the maintenance, the water leaks under the cabinet, and still get great water? I decided to give the CU-A4 a shot. SO, Here goes what I didn't like, and then what I liked: CONS: 1. The directions do NOT adequately describe how to make the water connections. To someone who has installed with these type connections it is an obvious "no-brainer", but to the rest of us......... Parts of the directions appeared to be for a different unit, and especially the section on installing the faucet, which was obviously from their RO system and was not anywhere close to describing the faucet enclosed. The faucet enclosed is an "air gap" style which requires a hole in your sink deck or in your counter of 1 1/8" minimum. The threaded pipe that will go through this opening is 1" in diameter. If your existing hole is anywhere from 1 1/2" to 1 1/8" the provided washer will work fine. 2. While there was plenty of 1/4" tubing to do the installation, There are 3 colors of tube, red, white and blue. They provided plenty of blue and white, but not red, therefore I used white and labeled it red to make the job a clean install. 3. There is no discussion in the manual of run-in time after completing the install. The water was barely drinkable after letting it free-flow for approximately 10 minutes as suggested in the notes . After flushing the system with approximately 15 more gallons the water was crystal clear and the flavor has become progressively better and better and has stabilized. PROS: 1. The system IS actually easy to install when you have familiarized yourself with everything they have sent and how it will work with your existing plumbing and sink. AND you have purchased anything you might need so the system will integrate seamlessly. 2. The snap-fit connections work great and do not leak a drop. 3. Twist on replacement filters. How could it get any simpler??? 4. Takes up minimal space. 5. The faucet is all metal construction. 6. After initial flushing and after the first week of use (approx. 1 Gal per day)t the water tastes GREAT. As good or better than any of the bottled waters we have tested against. 7. Every time I have called them (of course during business hours...duh...) they have been very responsive. So, customer service gets a nod. CONCLUSION: Well worth the money, Simple design and install Great tasting water NOTES: 1.There is a review about salt taste. If you have softened water, then you may want to contact your service company regarding what is best to work with your existing system. At the very least do an internet search on how softeners and filters can work together before purchasing this system. 2. There are reviews that mention a 1/2" 3-way valve and having to buy adapter fittings. My system came with a 3/8 to 3/8" 3-way valve (which worked perfectly), so it seems iSpring has changed it to the more typical size. 3. One reviewer gave 3 stars because this system does not reduce TDS and it cost them 10% restocking to return it. TDS is reduced by RO systems, This is NOT a RO system. iSpring does not claim reduced TDS. If you need reduced TDS...iSpring has a very highly rated RO system ( http://www.amazon.com/iSpring-RCC7-Reverse-featuring-See-through/dp/B003XELTTG/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_sims?ie=UTF8 ) for about $200.00. 4. Most every review says the directions suck. I can attest to that. They do! Layout everything from the box, familiarize yourself with it, identify any problems with your existing plumbing. Take the 3-way valve with you to your local home improvement store and buy whatever you need. 5. Make certain you have the correct tools to accomplish the install. 6. For a water tight connection fit, remove the blue "horseshoe" clips and FIRMLY push the 1/4" tubing approximately 5/16" in to the couplers until you feel it "bottom out", check the assembly by firmly pulling on the 1/4" tubing. Replace the blue clip. 7. I made all of my tubing the same length and long enough for me to remove the filter manifold a couple feet from the cabinet to facilitate changing the filters when that time comes. The tubing is coiled and taped up (love that blue tape), and will be easy to undo and stretch out. 8. I purchased an extra set of filters ahead of time, and store them right next to the unit. 9. Instead of changing my filters by use of a calendar (such as recommended by the manufacturer, every 6 months), I will change them based on usage. Since we only use it for drinking and cooking, we likely will never hit a max avg of 3gals per day. Most filter manufacturers claim 6mos. is relatively equal to 1200 Gals. Therefore 3 gals x 365 days = 1095 gals. (1095 is approx 90% of 1200 filter life). That is when I will change mine, at about 1 year. You also can adjust your schedule based on this formula. If you use 6 1/2 gals per day, you will hit the 1200 threshold at about 6 months. Were you to use 10 gals per day you would want to replace the filters after 4 months. AND so on. If you don't have a basin wrench, get one from your tool store, (see images) Make your life easier.