Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 Whole House Water Filter Review

Aquasana is a big name with quite a reputation, but does this whole house water filter deliver on its promise? Read the first of our Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 whole house water filter reviews to find out!

Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 Introduction

• Cost: $$$$$

• Filtration Stages: 4

• Warranty: 10 years + 90-day money back guarantee

• Unit Lifespan: 10 years or 1,000,000 gallons

• Filter Lifespan: Pre-Filter = 3 months, Post Filter = 12 months

• Water Flow Rate: 7 gallons per minute

• Waste Water: None

• Dimensions: 9 x 46 x 54 inches / 23.1 pounds; 9 x 46 x 59 inches for the conditioner system

• Included components: Filter Tank, Salt-Free Descaler Tank, Pro Install Kit (brass fittings for 1” or ¾” pipes, bend supports, and shut-off valves)

• Replacement filters: EQ-304.20, EQ-PFC.35, EQ-1000R

• Best Use: City tap water

Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 + Salt-Free Water Conditioner System Tech Specs and Features

Today, we are taking a look at the Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 with + Salt-Free Water Conditioner and 10-year filter. If you remember our guide on the best whole house water filter systems, you know that this Aquasana model is a crowd favorite, ranking high in users’ preferences, and featuring high rates of return.

Moreover, this whole house water filter comes with a salt-free water softener. It is one of the best water 2-in-1 water conditioning systems out there.

For more information on how water softeners work in reducing limescale, solving the hard water problems in your home, and protecting the life of your appliances, check this guide right here!

How Does the Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 Whole House Water Filter Work?

Being a whole house water filter, you should install the Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 with + Salt-Free Water Conditioner and 10-year filter at the point of entry of the water supply into the home. Unlike point of use systems, which are usually designed to be installed at one specific output (at the faucet or under the sink), this system will purify the water at every output point in the home. This means clean bathing, drinking, and cooking water for the family. This can bring all sorts of health benefits, better tasting food, and better feeling skin and hair.

This model specializes in the removal of chlorine from the water supply. Aquasana states it can remove more than 97% of chlorine from water. It is also capable of reducing other harmful contaminants such as heavy metals (like lead and mercury), organic chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, and volatile organic compounds), and industrial solvents.

The system is guaranteed to last for 10 years or 1,000,000 gallons. This is the best warranty we have encountered in our Aquasana reviews, and is the kind of consumer protection you would expect for something that costs what this does. Upon completion of its lifespan, a replacement tank can be purchased for around 3/4 of the cost of the complete system.

Aquasana also offers a 90-day money-back guarantee should you not be in any way satisfied with your purchase. It’s important to note that the 10-year warranty is only available if the system is installed by a professional plumber.

What Should You Know about the Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 Whole House Water Filter Installation Kit?

The model we are reviewing includes the professional grade install kit. This includes:

• Post filter to remove further contaminants like cysts and organic particles.
• Brass fittings which are easier to install and maintain.
• 20″ pre-filter which is double the size of the standard filter, giving it double the lifespan.
• Shut-off valves and supports for easier filter changes.

Further upgrades are available at extra cost. These include a salt-free water softener and UV sterilization kit.

The pro kit is a sensible addition. Longer life filters are going to cost you less money in the long run, and involve less maintenance. A post-filter refines the filtration process, even more, giving cleaner water. Finally, the brass fittings and shut off valves serve to improve the user experience, and make maintenance even easier.

The pro kit isn’t essential for city water supplies, but I would thoroughly recommend it for those with private well water supplies. Private water isn’t usually chlorinated so it is more susceptible to bacteria, organic matter, and cysts.

In fact, Aquasana offers the Rhino in a range of styles to suit every water concern. The regular chlorine specialist system is perfect for city water supplies, while there is also a model that specializes in harmful chloramine, and also one that deals better with well water.

If you are served by city water and you are put off by the price tag of the 10-year system, then there is an alternative too. There’s a cheaper 300,000-gallon capacity model that costs about a fraction of the price. This system is really effective at removing chlorine from the household water supply.

Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 + Salt-Free Water Conditioner System Performance

This Aquasana water filter reviews really well when it comes down to filtration and effectiveness. It provides four stages of filtration and meets NSF standards for chlorine removal. Here’s the lowdown on what each stage does.

• Stage 1: A 5-micron pre-filter which removes particles like dust, sediment, and also microscopic particles. This filter gets rid of the larger particles and protects the main carbon tank (stage 2) from damage and clogging.

• Stage 2: A tank that contains a mixture of copper-zinc oxidation media and crushed minerals. This serves to remove more than 97% of chlorine and ensure the pH is slightly alkaline. Alkaline water is considered better for our bodies as it is an antioxidant. Check out water ionizers to learn more about this.

• Stage 3: A high-grade carbon filter for further removal of chlorine and other harmful contaminants. Carbon media is excellent at adsorbing chlorine from water.

• Stage 4: A 0.35-micron post-filter that can remove microscopic cysts and organic particles. This filter is only available with the pro kit upgrade.

To see just how necessary the first stage filter is, then watch the video in the ‘Installation and Maintenance’ section below. It gives a great idea of just how important a water filter can be. The 1st stage filter also helps to protect the rest of the system, and prolong the life of the subsequent filters.

A Few Words on the Aquasana Rhino Filters

The stage 2 filter of this Aquasana water filter acts much like an alkaline filter of a reverse osmosis system. It ensures the pH of the water is greater than 7. This means the water is alkaline and healthier for our bodies than low pH, acidic water.

The 0.35-micron post-filter is an important and necessary addition. To see just how important it is, take a look at the chart below. The chart details the sizes of water pollutant particles on the micron scale. A filter of this pore size is really quite impressive, and the finest we have seen in whole house water systems.

The basic Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 system without the pro kit has a filter size of 5 microns. That means pollutants of size less than 5 microns will be allowed to pass through and contaminate your water. The post-filter has a filter size of 0.35 microns. This makes a huge difference to what is and isn’t allowed into your household water supply. Note the size of the mold, insecticide dust, bacteria, car emission, and lead dust particles.

The Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 + Salt-Free Water Conditioner water filtration systems themselves are relatively inexpensive, and the extra cost of replacing the post-filter every 3 months is definitely worth it. They are easily available on Amazon and the Aquasana website.

How Does the Salt-Free Water Conditioner in the Aquasana Rhino System Work?

This water filter comes with an amazing variety of optional add-ons. You can include a water softener or even an ultraviolet light to kill bacteria. The UV sterilization light would be particularly useful for those that are served with non-chlorinated well water.

One note on the water softener is that it is salt-free. These types of softeners are much better for the environment than those that use salt and they’re great for protecting appliances from limescale. However, they aren’t as effective at changing the feel of the water. If you have really hard water then I’d consider another route, such as traditional water softeners or softening systems using Template Assisted Crystallization.

Aquasana Scale Control Media and Its Advantages

Back to the product subjected to this review, here are some details on how the salt-free water conditioning system works with this Aquasana Rhino whole house water filter:

• The dual tank Simply Soft salt-free descaler hooks up seamlessly with the whole house water filter system, as its design allows simple, hassle-free installation;

• The Aquasana Simply Soft uses an innovative technology called Scale Control Media (SCM) to condition your water naturally, without the use of added water softeners salts (sodium).

• Aquasana’s SCM technology alters the structure of the hardness minerals into crystal structures that prevent the said minerals from binding and forming scale build-up. In other words, it works like most electronic water descalers and Template Assisted Crystallization systems. While not identical, the process of water conditioning is similar and comes with environmental and health benefits, just like other water conditioners we reviewed on previous occasions.

Unlike salt-based water descalers, the Aquasana Simply Soft SCM technology does not demineralize the water. It will not have a negative impact on the environment by adding excessive amounts of sodium into the communal water systems and underground water streams, either.

In conclusion, having a softener and UV lamp components built-in to the same system saves a lot of space, and makes the installation much easier, as they are already connected in the most efficient way.

Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 System Installation and Maintenance

As mentioned earlier, this system will last 10-years or 1,000,000 gallons. This is based on the average water consumption of a family of four. Should your family be larger or smaller, then the lifespan will alter accordingly. You can check with your plumber to have an additional water meter added at installation.

It’s important to monitor the condition of the pre-filter over the first year of use. Sediment levels can vary a lot from one place to another, and will have differing effects on your filter because of this. Generally speaking, when the white filter becomes completely covered or the water flow rate noticeably drops, then it is time to replace the filter. By keeping a close eye on this in the beginning, you will be able to judge the lifespan of the filter more accurately. They should last around 3 months though.

The post filter is much more durable, and should last 12 months. A way of ensuring prompt filter changes, as soon as the water quality starts to drop, would be to use a water quality meter. These can be purchased at relatively little expense (less than $15) and can be used monthly to monitor water quality.

A stand-out feature of this system is that it requires no back-flushing. Unlike other water filter systems, you need not worry about rinsing or cleansing the system. The only maintenance needed is the straight forward task of replacing the filters. Watch the video below to see how easy it is to replace the filter.

For installation, you should install the system before the water heater and close to the main water inlet to your home. The system will need 50 inches of height clearance and a minimum of 30 inches of floor space. It needs an operating water pressure of between 20-100 psi. You can read the official installation notes here. It can easily be done yourself, but to engage the warranty it must be installed by a plumber.

Aquasana Rhino + Salt-Free Water Conditioner System Pros and Cons

Now that we saw the main tech specs and features of this Aquasana whole house water filter plus salt-free softeners and discussed some of the most important aspects of its installation and maintenance, it is time to offer you the pros and cons of this unit. Remember that before you buy any whole house water filter on the market, you need to know how to size a water filter for your needs.

Moreover, it is always the best course of action to test your water before anything else. If you want this Aquasana whole house water filter with the extra water softening system, make sure you also check your water for hardness as well.

Now let’s see the pros and cons of this Aquasana whole house water filter!

Aquasana Rhino Salt-Free Water Conditioner Whole House Water Filter System Verdict

The Aquasana Rhino is one of the most effective whole-house units out there. Its 0.35-micron pre-filter is the most refined we have seen in a whole-home unit. Add to this the fact that it meets NSF certification standards to reduce chlorine, and you have a very attractive water filter system. It is more expensive than most, but it offers more effective filtration than most too.

Aquasana Whole House Water Filter System w/ Salt-Free Conditioner-…

 

• Clean, Great Tasting Water From Every Tap In Your Home – Removes 97%…
• High-Performance Filter System – Carbon & KDF filtration media…
• Cost Efficient & Long Lasting – Clean water for less than $0. 01 a…

 

 

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Aquasana Rhino Whole House Water Filters FAQs

Before we wrap up this guide, let’s see a few frequently asked questions coming from customers interested in this unit specifically and other whole house water filters!

Is the Aquasana Rhino whole house system a good filter?

Yes. Giving its tremendous filter life, warranty, NSF certification, tech specs, features, and users’ reviews, we can say that the Aquasana Rhino whole house water filter is one of the best water filtering systems on the market to date. Add the fact that this system comes together with a salt-free water conditioner against limescale and you have a complete water filtering system guaranteed to solve some of the most crucial water contamination issues in your home.

When should you replace the Aquasana post-filter?

Aquasana uses the same post-filter across the board when it comes to its water filtration units. As a rule of thumb, you should replace the post-filter every year. If you encounter severe sediment depositing, you should replace this filter every six months.

What is the healthiest water filtration system?

Besides the Aquasana Rhino model, which is a great whole house water filter with salt-free water conditioner for unlimited salt-free pure clean water, we also recommend the following water filter systems for your home:

• The Home Master HMF2SDGC for both city and well water;
• The APEX MR-3020 for fluoride reduction among other contaminants;
• The Home Master HMF3SDGFEC for iron reduction/removal among other contaminants.

Wrap Up

To see how the Aquasana Rhino compares to other leading water filtration systems, then please check out our guide to whole house water filters. Check back soon for more Aquasana products reviews.