APEC WATER Systems TO-SOLUTION-15 Whole House Water Filter, Salt Free Water Softener & Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filtration Systems for 3-6 Bathrooms

Why this whole-home bundle stands out

Households rarely need just one kind of water treatment. Most families want cleaner, better‑tasting drinking water at the sink, fewer odors and chloramine/chlorine in showers, and less scale on fixtures and appliances. The APEC Total Solution 15 aims to cover all three in a single package: a whole‑house carbon system for taste and odor, a salt‑free conditioner for scale control, and a point‑of‑use reverse osmosis (RO) unit for drinking water. On paper, it’s a smart pairing; in practice, it’s a capable, well‑thought‑out system with a few caveats to understand before you buy.

What’s included and how it’s meant to work

• Whole‑house treatment: A large, media‑based carbon stage (with sediment pre‑filtration) handles chlorine/chloramine and general taste/odor improvement for every tap and shower. This is the stage that makes showers smell better and cooking water taste cleaner.

• Salt‑free conditioner: A media tank designed to reduce scale formation and corrosion without salt, electricity, or backwashing. It’s meant for hardness up to 25 grains per gallon. Think of it as “scale control,” not true softening—calcium and magnesium remain in the water, but they’re less likely to stick to surfaces.

• RO drinking system: A classic under‑sink RO with a storage tank and dedicated faucet to strip up to 99% of dissolved contaminants at a single location (usually the kitchen). It requires a drain connection and a hole in the sink or countertop for its faucet.

This architecture tackles the full spectrum: whole‑home comfort and appliance protection, plus top‑tier drinking water at one tap.

Fit and sizing for a 3–6‑bath home

APEC rates this configuration for homes with three to six bathrooms. That sizing addresses peak flow and media volume so that multiple fixtures can run without dramatic pressure drop. In typical residential plumbing with 1‑inch mains, it’s a comfortable fit. If your home has unusually high simultaneous demand (multiple body sprays, large soaker tubs, irrigation tied in before treatment), verify flow requirements and pressure at peak use. As with any media tank system, there will be a modest pressure drop; if you’re already on the low side, consider a pressure boost.

Space planning matters. Expect two full‑height tanks (carbon and conditioner), a sediment filter canister, and adequate clearance to service fittings. The RO occupies cabinet space under a sink, with a pressurized tank and manifold. Ensure you can run an RO drain line and have a spare faucet hole or a plan to add one.

Installation notes and gotchas

This bundle is designed to be “set and forget,” but getting there takes some care:

• Whole‑house components: A proper bypass loop is essential. I recommend adding three ball valves (in/out/bypass) and union fittings so you can isolate and service the system later. Mount the sediment prefilter where you can easily spin it off without wrestling it against a wall. Flush the carbon tank thoroughly at startup—expect a brief burst of dark fines; that’s normal.

• Salt‑free conditioner: Put it after the carbon stage. Salt‑free media works best on water that’s already free of chlorine and sediment. If your hardness is over 25 gpg or you have iron/manganese, pre‑treatment is advised; otherwise, scale control may be inconsistent.

• RO faucet and drain: The RO needs a drain line; many jurisdictions require an air‑gap faucet for code compliance. Plan the countertop hole in advance, especially with stone. If you care about finish matching, confirm the faucet finish options before installation.

• Tubing and fittings: Push‑to‑connect fittings from reputable brands are worth it for a clean, leak‑free result. Tighten filter housings firmly but don’t over‑torque. After pressurizing, babysit the system for a while and re‑check for seepage the next day.

One practical detail to confirm: some RO faucets are supplied with a permanently attached 1/4‑inch line while the kit elsewhere references a high‑flow 3/8‑inch connection. If fast flow is important to you, verify the faucet line size before you mount it.

If any of this is outside your comfort zone, a plumber can typically install the whole‑home portion in half a day and the RO in an hour or two, assuming a straightforward layout.

Day‑to‑day performance you can expect

• Showers and taps: The carbon stage does the heavy lifting on taste and odor. Municipal water with noticeable chlorine or chloramine typically smells and tastes cleaner after this step. Many people notice skin and hair feel less dry—largely a function of reducing disinfectants rather than “softening.”

• Scale and spotting: The salt‑free conditioner helps keep minerals in suspension so they’re less likely to form hard, crusty scale. You’ll still see mineral spots when water dries, but they’re easier to wipe off, and long‑term buildup on glass, fixtures, and inside appliances tends to be reduced. If you want the slippery “soft water feel,” a traditional softener is the only way to get it, but it comes with salt, regeneration, and wastewater.

• Drinking water: The RO faucet produces very low‑TDS, neutral‑tasting water that’s great for coffee, tea, and ice. Flow speed depends on storage tank pressure and line size; 3/8‑inch feed to the faucet noticeably improves delivery compared to 1/4‑inch. Expect a brief startup period while the tank fills and the system purges initial carbon fines. As with all RO, there’s a wastewater ratio tied to membrane efficiency; proper pressure helps.

Noise is minimal—occasional trickling at the RO drain during production. Whole‑house components are passive and silent.

Maintenance and consumables

APEC markets the whole‑house stages as largely maintenance‑free, which is fair for the media tanks themselves, but you should still plan for:

• Sediment prefilter: Replace periodically (often 6–12 months) or when you notice a pressure drop.
• RO pre/post filters: Typically annually, depending on your water quality and usage.
• RO membrane: Multi‑year life is common with good prefiltration and adequate pressure.
• O‑rings and lubrication: Keep spares on hand and use silicone grease when servicing housings.

Protect tanks from freezing temperatures and direct sunlight. If you’re on well water, add routine testing to your calendar and address bacteria or heavy metals upstream of the system as needed.

As for reliability, pressurized RO tanks use an internal air bladder. They’re generally robust, but any bladder tank can fail over time; if flow suddenly drops and the tank won’t hold charge, it may need replacement. Buying from an authorized source helps with warranty support.

Strengths

• Balanced, whole‑home approach that couples comfort/taste benefits with true high‑purity drinking water.
• Salt‑free scale control avoids salt handling, regeneration, and electrical components.
• Sensible sizing for mid‑ to large‑size homes with multiple bathrooms.
• Widely available standard parts and fittings; straightforward service routine.
• RO output is clean, neutral, and ideal for cooking and beverages.

Limitations and considerations

• Not a true softener: hardness ions remain in the water; feel and spotting won’t mimic salt‑softened water.
• Hardness limit: best for up to 25 gpg; above that, consider a conventional softener or additional pre‑treatment.
• Space and carpentry: two tall tanks plus an under‑sink RO and a drain connection; plan your layout and countertop hole.
• Component details: verify faucet line size (1/4 vs 3/8 inch) if flow rate matters to you.
• As with any multi‑stage system, upkeep exists: filters, occasional parts, and periodic checks for leaks after service.

Who it’s for

The APEC system suits municipal‑water households that want better whole‑home taste/odor, less scale accumulation, and high‑purity drinking water at the kitchen tap—without the salt, regeneration cycles, and extra wastewater of a traditional softener. It’s also a good fit if you value low‑touch ownership after a well‑planned install. If your water is extremely hard, iron‑rich, or microbiologically unsafe, plan on additional stages or alternate equipment.

Recommendation

I recommend the APEC Total Solution 15 for mid‑size households on municipal water that want an integrated, low‑maintenance upgrade: cleaner showers and tap water throughout the house, reduced scale on fixtures and appliances, and excellent RO drinking water at the sink. It’s thoughtfully packaged, scales appropriately for 3–6 bathrooms, and avoids the compromises of piecing together disparate systems. Just go in with clear expectations about salt‑free scale control versus true softening, verify faucet/line sizing for the RO if fast flow is a priority, and plan the install with a proper bypass and drain connection. With those boxes checked, it’s a capable, long‑term solution.