3M AP Easy Complete Drinking Water Filtration System

The Problem
In my line of work, I have received many feedbacks from my clients asking regarding drinking water filters.  These are basically the few requirements that are being mentioned over and over again:

• Must be easy to install.
• Must support undercounter or overcounter installation
• Must be easy to replace the catridge.
• Replacement catridge must be easily purchased.
• Must be internationally recognised product.

Therefore, if you are like most of my clients, who wants to know if there is such a product in the market, look no further; 3M has the solutions that you need.

The Solution

Introducing the 3M AP Easy Complete drinking water system.  This is a fully tested and certified drinking water filtration system by the NSF International against NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53.  (Note: The link to the NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53 are provided as supporting link at the end of the blog).  I really like the 3M tag line, "Science Applied to Life.", so subtle and yet so powerful statement.

Background

The product packaging includes the following:

1. Filter head assembly
2. Filter catridge (C-Complete)
3. Lead free faucet
4. 1/4" union adapter
5. 36" of 1/4" tubing
6. 1/4" Feedwater adapter
7. #2 Phillips mounting screws

On the above diagram, this is a sample undercounter installation whereby the filtration catridge and filter head assembly are installed right below the kitchen sink cabinet.  This is ultimately the ideal installation method as it reduces clutter and obstructions on the kitchen counter leaving you ample of space for your actual kitchen work.  A lead free filter faucet is provided; therefore when you need filtered water, all you need to do is activate the filter faucet and water will pass thru the filter catridge and then supplying clean drinking water to you.

Take a closer look at the filter head assembly:

Notice the holes behind the filter head assembly; that will be the position you would have to secure screws to the cabinet carcass.  Next up is the filter catridge itself:

The Claims

Reduces parasitic protozoan cysts

Reduces limited VOCs and Lead

Reduces chlorine taste and odor and sediment

Reduces mercury

Reduces asbestos

This is the C-Complete catridge provided by 3M.  Typically the cost for 1 unit of replacement catridge is RM 288.00.  So, if you need to purchase a unit, can drop by any showroom that supplies them.   To be honest, I really like how the big boys like 3M position and market their product.  They separate everything into components, 1 thru 7, and the show you a diagram, and the next thing you know, you are just playing the role of connecting the items from one point to another (connecting the dots).  But of course, if you are like most of my customer, that does not have sense of adventure, then you can always engage a plumber to install the water filter for a fee (typically 150.00 to 200.00 per visit).  The real advantage lies in the cost of replacement.  

The Story

Let me share with you an actual event shared by one of my close relative, my uncle from my grandmas side.  He came to my office asking me to find a cheaper replacement catridge for his current water filter system.  After making a few calls, I found out that there are genuine and non-genuine catridges for that brand of filter.  As usual, I have to put on my honest mode as I am dealing with a close relative here.  Seriously, you do not want to recommend something to him and not work in his favour, cause you will never here the end of it at every annual dinners and meet in the future for the next many many years.  So, I told him, if you really want to get it, get the orginals.  Don't even consider the non-genuine ones.  But after checking the price, it would cost him close to about RM 800.00 just for replacement catridges alone.  Due to the 4 different catridges that needs to be replace; being at my uncles age and lack of technical knowhow, I suggest to him that you might want to engage a qualified water filter technician to change the filter catridges.  Again, I made some calls to water filters technician, and finally found one that will do the job.  The service rate was about RM 250.00, making the total changes cost to about RM 1,050.00.  After sharing this total figure to my uncle, he sat on the chair, looking angered (possibly for his decision for having bought the filter in the first place).  After several minutes, he took a deep breath and ask me, "do you have alternative water filter system".  Without further ado, I guide him to my 3M stand at my office and talked to him about all the neat features of the product and ease of maintenance.  He was particularly impressed about how easy it is to change the filter without requiring water filter technician (which cost money) to come change for you, not to mention the technician that you are letting into the house are qualified and safe (if he/she have other intentions in mind when entering your house; sorry to say, here in Malaysia, we always have to be wary about letting strangers into the house).  He was at aw about the product, and he bought the 3M AP Easy Complete right away.   No brainer, cost him RM 1,050.00 for replacement, and only RM 963.00 for a new set of 3M water filter.

So, after he successfully installed the filter, I went over to take some pictures of the filter installed at his place.  I looked really good and neatly installed.  Here are some pictures taken at his place:

filter faucet connected to the 3M AP Easy Complete

from a different angle.

AP Easy Complete filter head assembly with catridge.

Cost

So if you find yourself in need of this product, that you can head to local stores that is closest to your neighborhood here.  By the way, as of writing, the 3M AP Easy Complete retails at RM 909.00 + 6% GST = 963.54.  If you would like to purchase additional catridge, it will cost you another RM 288 + 6% GST = 305.28.  

Conclusion

There you have it.  My two cents on 3M Entry level drinking water filtration system that has full NSF International certification.  Pros: Easy to install and replace, cost effective (no special water filter technician required).  Cons: cannot think of any at the moment.

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can reach me at seantoh@gmail.com