You’re shopping for the perfect dress and you’ve narrowed it down to two. One is a little too small, but it costs less. The other one has a higher price tag, but fits more comfortably, is made better, and with its classic design, will provide a lot of wear. Which should you choose? In this case, the best decision is quite obvious. But when it comes to purchasing a water treatment system, many homeowners pay more attention to cost than a proper fit. In this month’s blog, we discuss the risks of an undersized residential water treatment system.

What happens if your home water treatment system is too small?

Properly sizing a residential water treatment system requires experience and technical know-how. When sizing a system, Secondwind’s water treatment professionals will look at both your water chemistry and flow rates (number of fixtures and people in your home). If your water treatment system is undersized, both the aesthetic quality and safety of your water can be at risk.

Health Concerns

Barely Passing

We met one customer who purchased a lower-cost, entry level residential water treatment system from another company that simply wasn’t big enough for the job. Their home’s arsenic levels were originally 25 ppb (parts per billion). With this system, they got a “passing” arsenic test level of under 10 ppb. Would you want to drink this water?

At Secondwind, we believe the goal should be to achieve non-detectable levels of arsenic, as it is linked to bladder cancer.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New Hampshire has the highest rate of bladder cancer cases in the country—37 percent higher than the national rate. As reported in a recent WMUR News story, New Hampshire state health officials are encouraging homeowners to have their wells tested for arsenic every three years.  

Adequate Some of the Time

Your flow rate (gallons used per minute) is an important factor in properly sizing your residential water treatment system. If you purchase a system rated for 8 gallons per minute (gpm), but have enough fixtures in your home to pull through 10, 12, or 14 gpm, you will end up with a unit that works “some of the time,” but not always. In this case, contaminants like arsenic, iron, or manganese will get through to your drinking water, leading to both water quality issues and health risks.

Short-term Savings, Long Term Costs

Equipment Failure

If you purchase a water treatment system that’s too small, you’ll have decreased efficiency, increased wear and tear, and ultimately, a shorter equipment lifespan. Some systems, including the Bubble-up® Jr., are designed with smaller reservoirs. This requires the pump to turn on more frequently, causing the system to work harder. “I worked with a homeowner who chose this system because it was $200 cheaper than what we could install. The result? In just four years, their pump burned out, costing them $1,300,” explains Peggy Stokes, certified water specialist at Secondwind Water Systems.

Increased Operating Costs

We’ve met many homeowners who install an arsenic adsorber, only to realize it gets full and never backwashes/cleans itself out. This type of system may cost less up front, but you’ll find yourself with a larger bill when it comes time to rebed, as it uses up media much more quickly. While Secondwind’s Kinetico residential water treatment systems may cost a little more upfront, they are much more economical to operate in the long run.

Residential Water Treatment System Installers in NH

Since we’ve been treating water throughout New Hampshire for over 30 years, chances are, we’ve installed a system near you.This gives us valuable insight into your region’s water landscape. If you are looking for an affordable, quality home water treatment system that’s built to last, contact the water quality experts at Secondwind Water Systems. We’re happy to come out to your home and provide a free water analysis.