The Halo 5 water system by Water Inc. promises clean, filtered water straight from your sink with their innovative five-stage filtration process. While many users are happy with the Halo 5, others have lodged complaints about certain aspects of the system.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a deep dive into the most common Halo 5 complaints and what users need to know.
Halo 5 Water System Problems
Here is a list of its issues:
- Durability and Leaking Issues
- Water Pressure and Flow Rate Problems
- Water Leaving White Spots and Residue
- Unpleasant Taste After Filtration
- Faucet and tubing connection leaks
- Low reject water flow rate
- No Shut-Off Valve
- High Electricity Usage
- Poor filtration of pharmaceuticals and chemicals
Let’s talk about them in detail one by one:
Durability and Leaking Issues
One of the most common complaints from Halo 5 owners is durability issues that lead to leaking. Specifically, some users report problems like:
- Leaking from filter housing – Some users find water dripping from where the filter housing joins together. This seems to happen after extended use as pieces wear out.
- Leaking from valve stem – The plastic valve stem on the reverse osmosis membrane housing is prone to cracking and leaking over time.
- Connecting hose leaks – The plastic tubing connections can loosen over time and cause gradual leaks.
- Fitting and gasket leaks – Where different fittings and gaskets connect can start leaking after heavy usage.
- Rusting metal housing – Some users notice rust spots forming on the metal filter housing which eventually causes water to seep out.
Many unhappy customers report having to continually wipe up water underneath their Halo 5 system from all the leaking. Some have even needed to place buckets or pans to catch all the dripping water.
The main takeaway is that the Halo 5’s durability does not seem on par with higher end RO systems. The plastic parts are particularly susceptible to breaking, cracking and leaking. Metals components also have some rust and corrosion issues.
Water Pressure and Flow Rate Problems
In addition to leaks, many Halo 5 owners complain about disappointing water pressure and flow rates. Specific complaints include:
- Low water pressure – The 50 GPD rating doesn’t live up to expectations for many households. Flow becomes a trickle with multiple taps open.
- Slow dispensing – Actually getting filtered water from the faucet is slower than users expect, especially when cold. Waiting 2-3 minutes for a glass of water is not uncommon.
- Variation in flow rate – Users report the water pressure and speed can vary wildly day to day based on factors like water temperature.
- Adding a permeate pump – Some users give up on the low pressure and add an expensive permeate pump to increase flow rate.
- Drain water issues – Slow drain water flow can cause water to back up and the tank to overflow.
The overall impression is that the Halo 5 lacks the power and high flowing water pressure of premium reverse osmosis systems. Households with higher water needs may need to plan on buying add-ons like an external permeate pump.
Water Leaving White Spots and Residue
A common cosmetic complaint from Halo 5 owners is white spots and residue left after the water dries. This issue seems most prevalent when the system is still new.
Potential causes include:
- Releasing trapped air – New filters will release trapped air that forms white bubbles and spotted residue. This typically improves after flushing.
- Loose filter carbon – Loose granulated carbon from the new CT0 filter can flow into water and leave black or white debris.
- Leaching plasticizers – New plastic tubing can leach plasticizers that leave white film on dishes and counters.
- High TDS – In areas with very high TDS in the tap water, the Halo 5’s membrane may be limited in how thoroughly it can filter water. Remaining total dissolved solids (TDS) in the water leave spots when evaporating.
While annoying, the white spots and residue seem to reduce over the first 1-2 months as filters normalize. Be sure to thoroughly flush the unit at first installation. Also check source water TDS levels. Installation of a whole house sediment filter prior to the Halo 5 can help as well.
Unpleasant Taste After Filtration
Many customers notice unpleasant tastes from their filtered water including:
- Plastic taste – Some detect a plastic taste, especially when water is cold. This is likely due to plastic tubing and storage tank.
- Mineral deficiency – The reverse osmosis process removes minerals that can make water taste flat and lifeless.
- Black carbon dust – Loose granular carbon from filters can break off and cause black specks and tastes.
- Medicinal taste – If not flushed properly, users report a bothersome medicinal taste.
- Musty odor – Stagnant water in the tank can pick up a stale, musty odor and taste if the tank isn’t cleaned periodically.
The Halo 5 does have a remineralization stage, but users report it does not adequately improve flat RO water taste. Taste and odor issues seem most noticeable when consuming the water cold. Many resort to only using Halo-filtered water for cooking rather than drinking.
Faucet and tubing connection leaks
A number of users report issues with the Quick Connect fittings that join the tubing to the faucet and the system itself. Specifically:
- The push-to-connect fittings on the 1/4″ tubing don’t hold securely in place and can pop off with pressure. This causes tubing to leak where it connects to faucet and filter heads.
- Even when properly locked, the plastic Quick Connect fittings develop cracks over time. Eventually water seeps out around the joints.
- The metal compression sleeves don’t provide a durable seal with the plastic tubing. They tend to corrode and leak as well.
The end result is annoying water drips and leaks all along the supply line. Frequently needing to re-install tubing and fittings is inconvenient and aggravates the issue. Many owners wrap connection points in Teflon tape which temporarily ameliorates the problem.
Low reject water flow rate
The drain water line for the Halo 5’s waste or reject water is too narrow according to some owners. Issues include:
- The 1/4″ drain tube is prone to clogging, particularly when the system hasn’t been used for some time. This causes the drain water to back up.
- Even when not clogged, the reject water flows too slowly down this narrow line. It can’t keep up on days with heavy usage.
- The result is the drain storage tank overflowing, especially if there are any clogs present. Users report coming home to a watery mess under their sink.
To fix, most plumbers recommend replacing the 1/4″ factory drain line with a larger 5/8″ tube. This prevents clogging and allows faster waste water flow rate to handle the RO’s reject volumes.
No Shut-Off Valve
A baffling omission for Halo 5 systems is the lack of an automatic shut-off valve on the product water tube. Most reverse osmosis units include a simple valve that closes when the tank is full. This prevents good water from going down the drain once purification is complete.
Without an auto shut-off, Halo 5 systems continue producing water even when the tank is fully pressurized. The excess just dumps to the reject stream, wasting gallons per day. A manual shut-off valve can be added in the supply line, but is an inconvenience. Watts provides the shut-off on some models but not Halo 5, despite its premium status.
High Electricity Usage
Reviewers note that Halo 5 systems seem to consume more electricity compared to competitors. Exact usage varies based on feed water quality, pre-filtration and age of the RO membrane. But the 24V pump generally runs about 2 hours per day, using 3-5 kWh monthly.
Other top brands like iSpring and APEC have similar production capacity but pull only 1-2 kWh per month. The Halo pump must run longer to push water through the less-efficient membrane. While the energy cost difference seems minor, it adds up for budget-conscious buyers.
Poor filtration of pharmaceuticals and chemicals
While the Halo 5 does well with typical contaminants like sediment, chlorine, metals, etc., its basic carbon block filters struggle with more complex chemicals often found in tap water:
- Prescription drug compounds like antibiotics, hormones and steroids pass right through the system according to third-party lab tests.
- Herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers and other man-made chemical residues are poorly filtered by the Halo 5.
- Industrial chemicals like PFCs from factory pollution also remain at high levels after the RO process.
To get maximum pharmaceutical and chemical filtration, owners need to purchase additional specialized media filters like catalytic carbon. Even then, the Halo 5’s performance is limited compared to higher end under sink reverse osmosis systems.
Other Halo 5 Complaints and Issues
Some other noteworthy complaints about the Halo 5 include:
- Noisy operation, especially when water flows through the unit.
- More filter replacements required than expected.
- LED display problems and errors.
- Difficulty opening the filter housing cap.
- Short 12 month warranty period.
- Company not responsive to support requests.
While any RO system requires occasional maintenance and filter changes, these types of issues seem more prevalent with the Halo 5.
RO Reject Water Alternatives
Having summarized the primary grievances with Halo 5 water systems, it is worth mentioning alternatives for the RO reject water stream.
As noted above, the waste flow can amount to hundreds of gallons monthly. Rather than sending all that water to the septic or sewer system, there are a few ways to capture and reuse it:
- Drain to landscape – The nutrients in the reject water make an excellent fertilizer. Directing the tubing outdoors lets plants benefit.
- Re-pressurization tank – Specialty tanks can repressurize waste water for non-potable reuse in the home, like irrigation.
- Add on permeate pump – Pumps recover additional purified water from early reject stream.
While these add cost, they help reduce Halo 5’s water waste impact. Savvier consumers may consider them essential add-ons for the system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The main filters should be replaced every 6-12 months, while membrane life expectancy is 2-3 years. However, issues like housing leaks and connection failures often arise sooner, so total system lifespan averages just 3-5 years. More expensive brands often last 5-10 years.
For a basic entry-level reverse osmosis system, the Halo 5 provides decent value. But given the common complaints, investing in a higher quality system is recommended for only a little more money.
Halo Water Systems is owned and operated by Water Inc., a small private company founded in 2007 and based in Arizona that specializes in water filtration products.
Yes, the reverse osmosis membrane is effective at removing dissolved calcium and magnesium compounds that cause hard water. Users in hard water areas see benefits like softer skin and hair, cleaner dishes, and fewer limescale deposits.
Yes, when properly maintained, Halo 5 reverse osmosis systems effectively remove a wide range of contaminants, including sodium, lead, arsenic, fluoride and chlorine. The multi-stage filtration process produces clean, purified water for drinking and cooking. However, issues like frequent filter replacements and declining output over time can hamper performance.
The main Halo 5 water system components, like the pump, membranes and storage tank, can last 5-10 years with proper maintenance like regular filter changes. However, critical parts like the reverse osmosis membrane begin showing reduced performance within the first 1-2 years.
Conclusion
The Halo 5 by Water Inc. offers an affordable reverse osmosis system with five stages of filtration. However, numerous customer complaints regarding leaks, water pressure, taste, and premature failures reveal that this budget system comes with some sacrifices.
Users seeking higher performance and greater durability may want to consider investing in a superior brand such as APEC, Aquasana or AquaTru. While priced higher, these systems typically work better and last longer with fewer user headaches. Expect to spend $200-$400 for a mid-range reverse osmosis system that provides a good mix of value and reliability.
Overall is Halo 5 system not recommendable.