Customer Reviews

Omni Corporation U25E Whole House Water Filter System with Clear Housing

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Yes, the TO1 carbon filter removes most of the chlorine taste, and installation is pretty easy. As one reviewer has indicated, it's hard to keep the filter housing from leaking. It's really due to the poor finish inside the opening into which the filter cannister is screwed. There are some rough seams that prevent the o-ring from seating perfectly. Minor adjustments are needed to obtain a leak-free fitting. BUT - and this is what they don't tell you - the unit has a life of FIVE years. Omni says that after five years, the plastic parts (that's every part, folks) will have degraded to the point of imminent failure. The instruction manual requires that you replace the clear plastic lower unit (cannister) every five years, or "costly repairs or water damage" may result. I contacted Omni, since I could find no source for the lower unit, and they told me that the ENTIRE UNIT MUST BE REPLACED EVERY FIVE YEARS, as all the plastic will have degraded to the point of failure by then. Doesn't say much for the quality of their product, does it?

Update:
I lowered my review due to changing the filter is extremely difficult. The supplied wrench does not provide the leverage to untighten the filter after sitting for a period of time. I found it very frustrating to attempt to loosen it. Once I was able to get it off and replace the filter I was unable to get it to seal again with out leaking...

I found it relative easy to install, I did have to go to home depot to get some hardware as it only comes with hardware for 1/2 inch piping and my piping is 3/4 inch. The clear plastic where it meets with the blue plastic will leak if it is to tight or not tight enough, it really annoying as you have to fiddle with it to get it just right. It does clean the water nicely there was no more chlorine or mineral taste. Also I noticed that the toilets and shower don't have to be cleaned as much. The water pressure was the same after installation..

When it works - it works. When it doesn't...
I've had 4 of them over the past 6 or 8 years. The first one developed a crack in the housing and I returned it to Lowes for a replacement. The second one developed a crack so severe that it flooded the basement. Omni replaced that one at no charge. The third one is now dripping from a seam in the plastic and the customer service rep. from Omni refuses to replace saying "she'd never had similar complaints." What the other reviews tell you is true as well - it works well (until the leak) and it does take considerable effort to find just the right torque on the lower canister to prevent dripping. Why the 4th? No time for plumbing - just replacing. I will be shopping for a new filter from a different manufacturer this summer. After that - NO MORE OMNI !!!

When I purchased my home 22 years ago the community was new. With new plumbing etc....The water tasted like "swamp water". I purchased 2 of the older models of the U25. I used the Carbon impregnated filters.....WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!! The reason for 2 was one to the hot water supply (cold side) and one for the entire house. They lasted 17 years without a hitch. I replaced the older one with the newer model 5 years ago, still no problems. As for leaks, INSTALL IT CORRECTLY, or have someone with a little knowledge do it for you. Use Teflon tape, use the proper tools, Install unions in the pipe for easy unit replacement, replace the "O" rings annually (that way the canister does not have to be over-torqued). The provided wrench works fine if the canister is not over-torqued, don't use the wrench to tighten the canister, if the O-ring is fresh, hand tightening is sufficient. This is a great product, but as with anything, used incorrectly it will not function properly.

Beware that the current (August 2008) description of this filter system is inaccurate, and probably copied from some other Omni product. This one does NOT filter bacteria, etc.....it is mostly for sediment.Go to the Omni website if you don't believe me!

Bought this unit with the idea of removing particles of sand from well for whole house use. The idea and concept are gr8, the functioning, however was a total failure in that it is next to impossible to remove the cartridge even with the accessory wrench provided. Am an avid DIY guy with much plumbing knowledge. Even following all recommended procedures, this is a Piece of Crap. O ring, when lubed with silicone..still LEAKS. My recommendation is to spend a bit more and buy quality. These folks just can't deliver.

Before installing the product I attempted to operate the valve on top with the wrench supplied. The effort to turn it was so high that the wrench (plastic) kept slipping off. I finally succeeded in freeing it and went on to to try and remove the filter housing. I was never able to loosen it up and gave up, fearing I would break the plastic wench that came with the setup. I called Omni Corp to see if I had a defective unit or if they were all like that. I was told that the unit had been out of production for a while and they gave me the model number of the newer version. I am not sure if the problem with the unit I had was age, and the lubricant installed at the factory had dried up, or a very poor design. I think it was a combination of booth! I returned it to Amazon a purchased the new model locally.

Hand tightening results in leaks and tightening with the enclosed wrench ensures you will need an 800 lb Gorilla to open it. Just make sure to release the water pressure in the filter before trying to open. It will make it much easier. (duh I know) The filters do the job. We have city water so my main concern is removing rust and particles.

My installation has been running for nearly a year.The TD01-DS filter doesn't last the stated three months. Usually 30 days. My water pipes were ½" copper so I did not use the included fittings. I found adapters and sweat soldered them on to the pipes. I also had to restrain the pipes with plumber's tape to avoid stressing the plastic housing when turning the filter to bypass. Using silicone grease on the threads of the canister is a MUST. AND, you must shut off the main supply and then open a faucet valve to relieve the pressure on the canister threads, then switch to bypass to get the canister off. If you don't do this it IS practically impossible to use the supplied wrench to replace the filter. As with any plastic product, you must be gentle in handling, and of course, all plastics out-gas with age and become brittle. That is normal and you get what you pay for with this model. I keep a 5 gal bucket underneath the filter in case of cracking and during filter replacement.

I have had this unit for perhaps 10 years, finding replacement filters has become a problem, but they are available at a much higher cost. Leaks after filter replacement has always been an issue. The wrench itself does not work satisfactorily and I have to remove the entire filter housing and place it in a vice then beat the wrench with a hammer to get it loosened or tightened. In addition , when I take out the old filter at six month intervals I find the inside of the housing has traces of slime and mold - this is not good, and thorough washing and a final bleach rinse is necessary before inserting the replacement filter.
The filteration itself is excellent.