This u/v light uses two bulbs, which makes this the best unit out there.
Let me start the review by saying the u/v light is a two bulb system, which is hard to find and was important to me. I will explain later why this was the crucial reason for picking this system. So here is why I bought this system. I sold my city home and bought a house in the country and for the first time in my life had to deal with well water. I spent a sufficient amount time researching how to make my water safe. I tested my water, and the biggest concern was that it contained E-coli. Believe it or not I found out that the deer which I thought were wonderful to see every day, could be the reason. Somehow when they defecate on the surface, it creates E-coli in the water that is in my deep well. Two different water companies gave me the same theory. I still don't understand how it makes it way down to my well water, but regardless I had e-coli in my water. Two solution that were presented to me was a Chlorine system, or a u/v light. I opted for the u/v light, it is very affected, and it doesn't add chemicals or smell to the water. The thing with the u/v light is the water has to be clear when it runs through the chamber in order for it to kill the e-coli. A u/v light alone isn't enough to make sure the water is e-coli free. You need to have a filter system before the light to assure that sediment and other stuff is removed from the water before it runs past the the light. This system is set up perfect for the u/v light to be effected, I also installed a smaller 10" aquasana clear housing filter before the two filters. This will prolong the life of these filters, The clear housing will allow me to see when its time to change it, before the water pressure drops. The 10" filters are easy to find at Walmart, homedepot, lowes, etc, so when its time to change it I don't have to wait for a shipment. So to make it clear I have three filters total before the u/v light. The u/v light chamber is great quality, the mounting bracket its metal, not a plastic clip like some of the other more expensive ones. This u/v light is two separate 55w bulbs, each on a separate power supply. This is hard to find, but it is very important. The bulbs have to be changed every 12 months. They loose strength every month, so nine months later even though the bulb is still on and properly working its strength is less. If you look at other units they are only one 55w bulb, which is more then enough when the bulb is new. But nine months later you have no way of knowing if its strength is effective enough, you just know that its on and working. Having two bulbs is great, so nine months later even though both bulbs will be weaker, there are two of them, so together they are still way more powerful then one brand new 55w bulb. Since you can't see e-coli this a peace of mind. If one bulb burns out, you can still have safe water on one bulb, while you replace the burn out one. I installed my system in January so I plan on changing one bulb in Sept, and other in December. I want to offset their life, so they don't both get weak at the same time. I will change them again next year in Sept, and Dec. This is a personal preference, changing both at the same time is fine. Now to talk about the filters, they should last six months, especially if you add another smaller sediment filter, like I did. Even if you don't loose pressure, I recommend you change them every six months. The second filter is a carbon filter which is great, but if you have sulfur it reduces the smell, but doesn't completely eliminate the smell. I recommend adding a third 20" housing filter, and put a 20" sulfate filter in it, the filter costs around $70 and will fit in the housing. In my situation I needed a water softener, and installed a salt free filter. Its the lighter blue filter in the photo. Logically it should be installed before the u/v light, but I decided to install it after. The water coming out of the u/v chamber was hot, so adding the softener after the u/v light gives the water time to cool off as it passes thru the filter. Overall this unit was the best price system out there, and is by far the best u/v light out there. To replace the filters and two bulbs will cost me less then $170 a year. Another brand costs almost two hundred dollars just to replace one bulb. When I was on city water I was receiving a $300-$400 water bill every three months. I almost didn't buy this house because it was on well water, but with this system, I am happy I did. I have clean, fresh water, without the water bill. After researching water, I probably should have had a filter on my city water. I was surprised to learn what is in it, besides the chlorine there is sediment, and traces of pharmaceuticals. If your city water, you should have a filter system. When installing this system, you can't use pvc fittings to install the u/v light. The light can damage them and cause leaks in the future. Now a Con: When I installed the aquasana filter, and water softener filter I used plumbing tape at the fittings, and there was no leaks. When screwing the filter housing on, I didn't use any tape or putty, and both units had no leaks. This filter system even though it is great quality, needs to have better threading, It leaks really bad. When attaching the plumbing fitting, the plumbing tape wasn't enough to stop the leak, I had to use tape and plumbing putty I used T2. When attaching the caps on the u/v chamber tape was enough, didn't need the putty. When putting on the blue filter housing, the entire thread had to be covered with putty, to stop the leak. The company needs to re-tool the threading process, and figure out how aquasana does it. I still love this product, having to use putty when installing the system isn't a deal breaker. I tested my water and its e-coli free. I have changed the filters, and didn't have to reapply the putty, just once when first installed. The putty stays on, so there are no issues when changing the filters. Update 10/23/18: Great Company. My wife called back in Janaury with an installation question, and they were prompt to answer, and help. I just called them several months later with a small issue, and they stand behind their product, execellent customer service. Read more
