Does Your Reverse Osmosis System Need a Booster Pump?
Reverse osmosis can be an excellent way to improve the quality of the water your family drinks and cooks with. But choosing a good reverse osmosis system is only part of the equation.
The system also needs the right conditions to work properly.
One factor homeowners may not think about is water pressure. Reverse osmosis relies on pressure to move water through its membrane. When the available pressure isn’t appropriate for the system, adding the right type of pump may help the equipment operate as intended.
So, does every reverse osmosis system need a booster pump?
No. But understanding when and why a pump may be recommended can help you make a more informed decision about your home’s water treatment system.
Why Does Water Pressure Matter for Reverse Osmosis?
A reverse osmosis system uses a semipermeable membrane as part of the process of separating many dissolved substances from the water you ultimately use for drinking and cooking.
For that process to work, the system depends on water pressure.
This means two homes using similar reverse osmosis equipment may not necessarily experience identical performance if their incoming water conditions are different.
That is one reason we encourage homeowners to look beyond the equipment itself when researching water treatment. The goal isn’t simply to purchase a particular system. It’s to make sure the components work together appropriately for the conditions in your home.
What Does an RO Booster Pump Do?
An RO booster pump increases the pressure supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane.
The PAB8800 Series High Flow Booster Pump, for example, is designed for use with reverse osmosis membranes rated from 50 to 120 gallons per day. Its pressure is adjustable from 40 to 120 psi.
The manufacturer also estimates more than 15,000 operating hours and rates its operating noise at less than 52 dBA. It is designed so that it can run dry without damage.
For the homeowner, however, the most important concept is simpler:
The booster pump is there to provide additional pressure when the RO system needs it.
Does Every RO System Need a Booster Pump?
No.
A booster pump isn’t something that should automatically be added to every reverse osmosis installation.
Whether one is appropriate depends on factors such as the home’s available water pressure, the specifications of the RO equipment, and the overall system design.
This is also why buying individual water-treatment components without understanding how they work together can be frustrating.
A component that is useful in one home may be unnecessary in another.
Before adding a booster pump, the better question is:
Does my reverse osmosis system have the pressure it needs to operate properly?
Answer that first, and the equipment decision becomes much easier.
What Is the Difference Between a Booster Pump and a Demand Pump?
This distinction can be confusing because both devices deal with water pressure, but they don’t necessarily perform the same job.
A booster pump can increase pressure going into the RO membrane.
A demand pump can serve a different purpose. The Aquatec 5800 Demand Pump, for example, can draw water from a holding tank and pressurize it or boost water coming from a low-pressure source. It can operate using an integral pressure switch and includes an integral bypass that may be used to limit pressure.
In other words, one pump may be helping create the conditions needed for the filtration process, while another may be helping deliver pressurized water from a stored or low-pressure source.
Understanding where additional pressure is needed is part of designing the right system.
What Are Signs That Pressure Is Worth Investigating?
Homeowners don’t need to diagnose an RO system themselves, but there are circumstances where asking about pressure makes sense.
If you’re researching a new reverse osmosis system and already know your home has lower water pressure, mention it when discussing your options.
If you already have an RO system and aren’t satisfied with its performance, pressure may be one of several factors worth evaluating.
And if you’re comparing systems, don’t focus only on how many filtration stages they have or the claims on the box. Ask what operating conditions the equipment requires.
A properly selected water treatment system should account for the home it’s being installed in.
The Bigger Lesson: Water Treatment Is a System
This is where booster pumps fit into the larger water-quality conversation we’ve been having with Central Iowa homeowners.
A water softener and a reverse osmosis system perform different jobs. A water softener addresses hardness minerals throughout the home, while an RO system focuses on water used for drinking and cooking.
The equipment supporting those systems matters, too.
Pressure, membranes, pumps, storage, filters, and other components need to work together.
That’s why the “best” water treatment system isn’t necessarily the one with the longest feature list. It’s the one that’s properly selected and configured for your home’s water, pressure, usage, and goals.
Questions to Ask When Considering an RO System
If you’re researching reverse osmosis for your Des Moines-area home, consider asking:
- What is my home’s incoming water pressure?
- What pressure does this particular RO system require?
- Would a booster pump improve the system’s operation?
- What capacity membrane is appropriate for my household?
- Does the system use stored water, and how will that water be delivered?
- How does my home’s water quality affect the equipment being recommended?
- What ongoing filter and system maintenance will be required?
You don’t necessarily need to know the answers before speaking with a professional.
In fact, these are exactly the kinds of questions a knowledgeable water-treatment professional should be willing to help you answer.
Choosing the Right Equipment Starts With Asking the Right Questions
Reverse osmosis isn’t simply about installing a filter under the kitchen sink.
The quality of the system, the home’s water conditions, available pressure, equipment selection, and installation all play a role in creating a solution that makes sense for the household.
A booster pump can be an important part of that solution when additional pressure is needed. It shouldn’t, however, be viewed as an automatic add-on or a substitute for properly evaluating the entire system.
If you’re researching reverse osmosis, water softening, or whole-home water treatment in Des Moines, Altoona, Pleasant Hill, or the surrounding Central Iowa area, Advanced Plumbing can help you understand your options.
Bring us your questions.
We’ll help you determine what your home actually needs before you invest in the equipment.