AO Smith Reverse Osmosis: A Detailed Review

Discover an intriguing journey with the AO Smith High-Efficiency Reverse Osmosis. Dive into its secrets and see how it transforms tap water into a clean delight.

Christine Scott
8 min readNov 11, 2024

When it comes to outfitting my kitchen, the quest for clean, healthy tap water feels akin to something I might find at a particularly whimsical county fair: mysterious yet tantalizing. Enter the AO Smith High-Efficiency Reverse Osmosis with SmartFlow™ Technology — perhaps the most dignified name for a water filter system I’ve ever encountered. With promises as grand as reducing up to 99% of 90 different contaminants (who knew water had such an entourage?), this under-sink marvel claims to wrestle everything from fluoride to microplastics into submission. But it’s not just about evicting the nasties — there’s a chrome air gap faucet involved, which sounds a bit like an architectural upgrade for my kitchen. I must admit, the thought of easy filter replacements just by twisting a cartridge feels like changing the oil on a spaceship — and I can’t help but feel a little giddy about that possibility.

Discovering Clean Water: My Journey with the AO Smith High-Efficiency Reverse Osmosis System

AO Smith High-Efficiency Reverse Osmosis with SmartFlow™ Technology - Under Sink RO Water Filtration System w/Faucet  Compact Tank- Filters Chlorine  Other Contaminants - Chrome - AOS-Hero-CHR

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The Search for Clean Water

You know how it is — one day you’re happily drinking tap water and the next, you hear all sorts of horror stories about contaminants hiding in the pipes. It turns out, we’re practically living in a science fiction novel where you can’t trust the very water flowing through your own home. That’s when I found myself plunged deep into the world of water filtration, a realm I hadn’t really considered before. After ample researching, I landed on the “AO Smith High-Efficiency Reverse Osmosis with SmartFlow™ Technology — Under Sink RO Water Filtration System w/Faucet & Compact Tank- Filters Chlorine & Other Contaminants — Chrome — AOS-Hero-CHR.” Quite a mouthful, right? But trust me, this was the start of a game-changing journey.

First Impressions and Initial Hesitations

There’s something intimidating about installing a reverse osmosis system. I had visions of an overcomplicated setup resulting in a small flood under my sink, which would then somehow ruin dinner plans and any hope I had of blending into adulthood smoothly. But the charming thing about the AOS-Hero-CHR is the way it demystifies the process of water filtration. Its promise is high-tech purification with minimal stress.

Unboxing the AOS-Hero-CHR

Ah, unboxing — the modern ritual that somehow manages to feel like both Christmas morning and an exam you forgot to study for. With the AO Smith system, the experience was a pleasant surprise. Inside, I found the system’s components neatly packed: a chrome air gap faucet, a compact RO tank, filters, and installation parts. No extra frills, just the essentials. It felt serious, yet straightforward, like the water filtration equivalent of a well-tailored suit.

Understanding the Science Behind Reverse Osmosis

Before unpacking (pun intended) my experience further, let’s take a quick detour to appreciate the science at work here. Reverse osmosis sounds like something that might have required an advanced degree to comprehend. Turns out, it’s just a process where water passes through a semipermeable membrane, leaving contaminants like fluoride, chlorine, lead, and, more disturbingly, microplastics behind. It’s like giving your water a spa treatment and only allowing the truly refined aspects to flow through to your glass.

The Importance of Standards

The AOS-Hero-CHR isn’t just about fancy science; it’s independently tested to rigorous NSF standards — 42, 53, 58, and 401. These numbers might sound like spreadsheet jargon, but they guarantee that the system reduces up to 99% of over 90 contaminants. Standards are critical because they’re the unspoken agreement between a product and a consumer that says, “Yes, you’ve spent your money wisely, now drink up!”

Embracing Advanced Filtration

As I studied the specifications, I felt like I was holding a golden ticket to clean, healthy tap water. Could it really decrease contaminants so effectively? This product claims to strip out more than just the usual suspects. We’re talking fluoride, chloramine, lead, arsenic, pesticides, PFOA/PFOS, cysts, microplastics — you name it! My enthusiasm grew quicker than any houseplant I’ve ever attempted to keep alive.

Dedicated Faucet: A Feature Worth Noting

One standout feature is the dedicated chrome air gap faucet. It’s not exactly the centerpiece of your daily Twitter discourse, but it’s a star in the water filtration world. It prevents backflow into your system, a fancy way of saying it ensures your newly purified water doesn’t mix back with the cooties standing behind it in the plumbing. It’s practical and intuitive, aiming to keep water flowing fiercely and freely within your kitchen, devoid of drama.

AO Smith High-Efficiency Reverse Osmosis with SmartFlow™ Technology - Under Sink RO Water Filtration System w/Faucet  Compact Tank- Filters Chlorine  Other Contaminants - Chrome - AOS-Hero-CHR

The Under Sink Installation Experience

Installing the AOS-Hero-CHR was, dare I say, an enjoyable challenge. It’s all the bits and pieces necessary for under-countertop installation. Sure, it involved some contortionist moves, a couple of questionable choices in language, and a minor existential crisis over just how much space is actually under your sink. But they made it possible for mere mortals like me to accomplish.

A Step Towards Cleaner Water at Home

Admittedly, there’s a profound satisfaction that comes from installing a system that gives your household access to cleaner-than-ever water. It’s on a level somewhere close to finishing a difficult jigsaw puzzle or reminiscing about triumphantly surviving high school math. It’s not just manual labor; it’s enlightenment!

The Joy of Easy Filter Replacements

Much like my approach to buying plants (go for the ones that only need watering every two weeks), I demand low-maintenance from my home gadgets. The AO Smith system anticipates this with its filter replacement system. Replacing the filters is as easy as twisting out the old and popping in the new. You’re back in business with your sparkling glass of water in no time.

Genuine Replacements: A No-Brainer

To keep the mojo going, the company insists on using only their certified, genuine AO Smith replacement filters. It’s a bit like insisting on quality ingredients in your gourmet meal prep — cut corners, and you might just end up disappointed. Thankfully, they’ve made it remarkably easy with models like AOS-HERO-S1S3 and AOS-HERO-S2. In a world of overcomplicated models, their simple, streamlined options are a relief.

AO Smith High-Efficiency Reverse Osmosis with SmartFlow™ Technology - Under Sink RO Water Filtration System w/Faucet  Compact Tank- Filters Chlorine  Other Contaminants - Chrome - AOS-Hero-CHR

The Compact and Efficient RO Tank

Let’s take a moment to applaud the design here. The compact RO tank fits snugly under the sink, not commandeering more space than it absolutely needs. It’s almost like it came straight from a ‘helpful household item support group,’ determined to adapt and belong without fuss. It achieves its mission of boosting water flow while barely interrupting your daily life.

SmartFlow™ Technology: It’s as Smart as It Sounds

Oh, then there’s the SmartFlow™ Technology. This nifty piece of tech increases water flow rate to a pace that ensures you won’t be tapping your fingers on the sink in impatience. Ultimately, it makes hydration more delightful than ever before.

Aesthetic Appeal: That Shiny Chrome Finish

I’m a sucker for aesthetics, even when it comes to parts of my house only I tend to notice. The chrome finish on the faucet isn’t just practical; it adds a touch of elegance I never imagined my sink could sport. It’s the culinary equivalent of eye candy — effortlessly attractive with its sleek, modern sheen.

Why Aesthetics Matter

You might be wondering why aesthetics matter in a piece of kitchen hardware? Well, it’s all about creating a space where utility meets delight. Your kitchen faucet is like the en pointe ballet dancer in your daily kitchen routine: graceful and functional. Why skimp on beauty when you don’t have to?

AO Smith High-Efficiency Reverse Osmosis with SmartFlow™ Technology - Under Sink RO Water Filtration System w/Faucet  Compact Tank- Filters Chlorine  Other Contaminants - Chrome - AOS-Hero-CHR

Sustainability: More Than Just a Buzzword

In today’s day and age, sustainability isn’t just a marketing trick, it’s a conscious choice. Leveraging technology to decrease your carbon footprint is a responsibility we all share. By installing a reverse osmosis system like the AOS-Hero-CHR, it’s a step towards being more mindful about our planet’s resources because each time you sidestep using plastic bottles, Mother Earth gives you a small, metaphorical high five.

Bottled Water? No, Thank You!

The lure of bottled water is strong, I know, but when you’ve got a device that delivers equal purification, you start wondering why you’re giving your money away to the bottled water moguls of the world. It’s a small rebellion against disposable culture, and it saves money in the long run too.

Community Approval: Let’s Talk Reviews

Delightfully, the harmony between high expectations and reality appears to resonate with others. A glance through reviews for the AOS-Hero-CHR reveals a roster of satisfied owners. Fellow home dwellers speak of enhanced kitchen experiences, reduced environmental impacts, and a general feeling of wellness tied to their nifty filtration system.

Social Proof: Building Trust

It’s one thing for a company to sing its own praises, but authentic testimonials from everyday users offer an assurance that, yes, I did indeed make a sensible life choice in picking this gadget over others. The balance scales of doubt began to tip joyfully towards reassurance.

When Hydration Becomes Fancy

In summary, this system brings hydration to a place of elegance and ease in my daily routine. Sure, you can drink straight from the tap, living dangerously without a filtration system, but why tempt fate? With every awesomely filtered glass of water, there’s a gnawing sense of sophistication, a feeling that I’ve made the healthier, smarter choice. All the while, the AO Smith system just quietly gets the job done, melding into the backdrop of life with proficiency and poise.

Setting the Standard for Tap Water

In the long run, having this kind of modern water-filtration wizardry beneath my sink sets the standard. It crowns my little kitchen corner with triumph. It challenges preconceived notions about household gadgets and leaves a hopeful mark on sustainable, future-forward living.

If you feel as inspired and hydrated as I do, give this article a clap. Share your thoughts and responses below — I’d love to hear about your clean water adventures. And don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more journeys in turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Stay curious, stay hydrated!

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Christine Scott
Christine Scott

Written by Christine Scott

Experience Pure, Refreshing Water with Our Advanced Reverse Osmosis Water Filter. Transform your tap water into pure, great-tasting hydration

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