Home Master TMAFC Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Review

Did you know that reverse osmosis takes all of the minerals out of the water - including the beneficial ones?

It's true. And that bothers some people.

But the Home Master TMAFC Artesian Full Contact system solves that problem.

The TMAFC is one of my picks for the best reverse osmosis systems for this year.  It's a top rated RO system that remineralizes the water to raise the pH and make it less acidic.

I've written this in-depth review of the TMAFC to help you decide if it's the best water filter to meet your needs. We'll take a look at the features, how it works, how effective it is, and more.

If you don't want to take the time to read my whole review, you can click on a topic in the quick navigation below. Or scroll down to get all the details.

Pros and Cons of Home Master TMAFC

I always like to see what online customer reviews say about a product. This system has a whole lot of positive reviews!

Here's a summary of the most common likes and dislikes:

*Honestly, I had a hard time finding anything negative about the Home Master, and I read through hundreds of reviews. A few people had some complaints about defective parts, but those were quickly resolved by customer service.

Home Master FAQs

How does it work?

The system is hooked up to your plumbing and uses water pressure to force the water through a series of filters on its way out the faucet.

Here's what happens to the water, step by step:

What contaminants does the Home Master TMAFC remove?

According to the manufacturer, it "removes up to 98% of chemicals, heavy metals, sediment, and other contaminants that other systems fail to remove."

The list of contaminants is way too long to include in this post. You can read it for yourself at this link.

Now, I do want to note that although the CDC says that reverse osmosis removes bacteria and viruses, Home Master says that the TMAFC is not rated for removal of bacteria.

If you are on city water, this should not be a problem since your water has already been treated with chlorine or chloramine to kill bacteria.

What can I do about microorganisms in the water?

If you're not on city water, or if you just want an extra layer of protection, Home Master has two models that include an extra UV filter. Microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and mold are effectively killed by ultraviolet light, so the water is sterilized.

Does Home Master remove fluoride?

Yes, it removes up to 93.9% of fluoride.

Why are minerals added twice?

Water becomes slightly more acidic when it goes through reverse osmosis. Left as it is, it can degrade the rubber bladder in the storage tank. 

Remineralizing the water before it goes to the tank makes it more alkaline, so it won't eat away at the rubber. That makes the tank last longer and also keeps the water from being re-contaminated.

Minerals are added a second time after the water leaves the storage tank, on the way to the faucet. This is to balance the pH and to make the water taste better.

What minerals are added to alkalize the water?

Calcium and magnesium minerals from crushed marble are added to the water during the remineralization stages. This brings the mineral level up to 30-60 mg per liter.

How much water can it filter in a day?

This system is rated at 50 gallons per day.

How much water is wasted?

For every gallon of filtered water, 3 to 4 gallons of water is wasted. If you buy the permeate pump for the system, you can reduce the amount of waste to 1 to 1.5 gallons.

All reverse osmosis systems produce waste water. That's just how it works. But keep in mind that we're only talking about your drinking water. There's a lot more waste water produced from doing laundry, taking a shower, and flushing the toilet.

If this really bothers you, you could consider collecting the waste water and using it for something else. Some people use it for watering plants or for cleaning.

What comes with the system?

Here's what comes in the box:

Is it hard to install?

It's easy to install and normally takes less than two hours to do. You'll get detailed instructions with the system.

If you need more help, the manufacturer has a series of YouTube videos to guide you. Or you can get live help from their customer service.

Can I install it in the basement?

It's designed to be installed under the sink, but you can put it in the basement. There are tips for basement installation at the manufacturer's website.

If you're not experienced with plumbing, you might want to hire a plumber to do it for you.

How often do you have to replace the filters?

The filters should be replaced annually - that's all but the RO membrane.

The reverse osmosis membrane will last 3 to 5 years, depending on your water quality and usage.

Home Master makes replacing the filter as easy as it can be. The filter and filter housing are one unit, so you replace the whole thing every time.  

With other brands, each filter goes into a canister. You switch out only the filter and reuse the old canister.

Replacement filters are available online. You can click here to check the latest availability and price at Amazon.

And you can usually buy replacements directly from the manufacturer.

What's the difference between TMAFC and TMAFC-ERP?

The Home Master Model TMAFC-ERP comes with a permeate pump. This is a non-electric device that improves the efficiency of the system and greatly reduces the amount of waste water - by up to 80%.

You can buy a permeate pump later and add it to the TMAFC if you like.

Click here to check the current price of the TMAFC-ERP system at Amazon. 

What's the difference between Home Master TMAFC & APEC ROES-PH75?

The APEC ROES-PH75 is a similar RO system that also remineralizes the water.

The biggest difference between APEC and Home Master systems is in the design of the filter housing:

Click here to head over to Amazon to check the price and availability of the Home Master TMAFC.

If you don't think this is the right RO system for you, please click here to go and see my Best RO Systems review.