Kenmore Ultrafilter 500 Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System with Electronic Faucet 38475

Pros: Makes good clean water, attractive, filter-change LED is nice
Cons: Cheap quality makes for very expensive and time-consuming maintenance

I've had this filter for about three years now. In that time I have had to replace the controller board, the automatic-shutoff cover, the faucet, and last but not least the RO filters twice. The shutoff cover developed a hairline fracture and leaked ...

Pros: Does remove all bad tastes from water.
Cons: Poor quality. Sears doesn't seem to want to stand by this product.

System was installed March 2003 along with a Sears Water Softener system. The faucet started leaking in August. Sears automated repair phone line did not under stand "Reverse Osmosis System". When I spoke with an operator they weren't sure what departme ...

Pros: LED feature on dispenser.
Cons: Bad design of sealing filter and water flow.

UNREAL BAD EXPERIENCE (TIMES 3) WITH THIS UNIT. Dispenser has an LED that flashes GREEN when using, indicating filters are good. LED should flash YELLOW when it is time to change the PRE and POST filters. LED will flash RED when the MEMBRANE is bad. Got ...

Pros: Performs as advertized.
Cons: Replacemant filter and membranes expensive and not always available.

I have utilized this system in a high water hardness area downstream of a Sears water softener system. The system has performed satisfactorly and I have tested the water for hardness and iron and the results has shown a very low level of both hardness and iron in the water from the unit. I have needed to change the pre filter about every 3 months as the well water supply contains significant dirt and iron that the whole house filter and the water softener upstream of the RO unit does not remove. I am finding the filter costs rather expensive at around $25 per filter. In addition, I cannot find a replacement RO membrane unit. They are not available in my local Sears store. I have not been able to find them on the internet at either the Sears web site and Kenmore does not appear to have its own site. This could be a big problem if and when my RO membrane expires. With the very bad water that I am trying to improve, this could be at any time.

Pros: Good quality water.
Cons: Expensive filters, not very durable.

I had this unit for about 2 months when it started saying that the filters needed replaced. The manual says that they should last around 6 months. I changed them out and it said they needed replaced after only 1 month.

The replacement filters are VERY expensive compared to other brands.

The fountain knob started leaking after about 9 months. Sears wanted $120 for a new faucet. I bought a whole new unit for about half that price on eBay.

There must be better, more durable and less expensive units on the market than this thing.

Pros: good filtered water (only for first year though)
Cons: Bad service (no service at all) Very expensive maintenance

There is no service for this product at all. The LED light keeps blinking red. I replace all parts (very expensive!) as suggested by the manual. It does NOT help at all. The filtered water quality dropped dramatically after a year usage, even after I replace all filters. I am looking for other filters. Do NOT buy this one.