If you have been looking into getting a reverse osmosis drinking water system there is probably one big question on your mind, where are we going to put that thing?
Where is an RO system installed? A reverse osmosis system is typically installed under the kitchen sink where it will be used. If space is a problem, it may also be stored in a lower level of the home but a booster pump may be needed if the system is too far from the system’s faucet.
Should you install your reverse osmosis system under your sink?
In most homes, the amount of room underneath the kitchen sink will be more than enough to install a reverse osmosis drinking water system and still be able to store plenty of other household items.
The reverse osmosis system itself can usually be mounted right to the side panel directly under the kitchen sink with minimal difficulty. Also, a standard size reverse osmosis storage tank is only about 11 inches wide and about 15 inches high.
Some storage tanks may be slightly taller or wider, but even then they will usually fit quite nicely in either back corner under the sink.
You don’t have to install the storage tank right next to the reverse osmosis system.
If you decide that you do not want the storage tank directly under the sink where the system’s faucet will be, the tank can easily be installed in a close-by cabinet, closet, or room.
If the storage tank is to be installed on the same level as the sink and the rest of the reverse osmosis system, it can be placed quite a distance from the main system but I don’t recommend having it more than 20 feet away from the sink as the long run may cause a decrease in the system’s water flow from the faucet.
Installing the entire reverse osmosis system several feet from the system’s faucet will not normally have any negative effects on the performance of the system, but the strength of the water flow from the faucet may decrease the farther away from the sink that you go.
Many people choose to install their reverse osmosis drinking water system at a lower level location. If you are able to install the system directly below the sink where the faucet is to be installed, the system will more than likely work just fine with a limited drop in water pressure.
What if I need to install my reverse osmosis far from the sink?
If you find that you need to install your reverse osmosis down a level and over a room or two, you may need to install an assist pump to help pump the water to the sink faucet where the water will be used.
Installing an assist pump is very easy, it will simply be installed in the water feed line going from the reverse osmosis system to the drinking faucet. The pump will need to be plugged into an electrical outlet to operate, and it will turn itself on and off as needed.
When you open the reverse osmosis faucet and the pump notices that water is required, it will turn on and pump the reverse osmosis filtered water until the faucet is turned off.
If you are going to install the reverse osmosis system under the sink but the storage tank in a lower level or other distant location, an assist pump may be needed but often the pressure drop will be minimal.
When installing a reverse osmosis system far from the sink, using larger diameter tubing will normally allow the water to flow more easily but using tubing that is too large can make for too much water to be pushed through and therefore you may have poor pressure.
Usually using 3/8 inch tubing will give you the best results when running a long waterline for your reverse osmosis system. On horizontal runs, 1/2 inch tubing may work best.
Some reverse osmosis drinking water systems work with a storage tank that is pressurized by the water pressure in the home rather than an air pressured bladder.
These water pressing against water storage tanks will often work much better if you plan on installing the storage tank on lower levels or other long-distance runs.
So where is the best place to install my RO?
Overall, the ideal place to install your reverse osmosis drinking water system is directly underneath the sink where the system’s faucet is to be installed. This will provide the best water flow because the system will not have to push the water long distances.
If you don’t think you want your reverse osmosis system under your sink, try to consider putting it as close as you can to the sink where the water is to be used.
If you are going to do any work on your reverse osmosis drinking water system, check out my article on What I Use When I Work On A Reverse Osmosis System!
