RO annual maintenance contract: worth it or not?

An annual contract is a fixed price for a year of servicing and parts. Whether that is a good deal depends entirely on what is inside it, and the difference between a good AMC and a poor one is large.

What a fair AMC includes

• Scheduled visits — at least two, ideally three
• All pre-filters and the post-carbon, changed on schedule
• The membrane, either included or at a stated discount
• Tank cleaning at each visit
• Breakdown visits at no extra call-out charge
• A clear list of what is excluded — pump, electronics, UV lamp — and their prices

The warning signs

An AMC that replaces every filter at every visit regardless of condition is selling you filters. One that excludes the membrane and charges full price for it has excluded the only expensive part. One with no visit schedule means you have to chase them.

When pay-per-visit is cheaper

Light use, soft water, a newer unit: two visits a year with filters as needed will usually cost less than a contract. Keep a note of what was changed when, and book on the schedule.

When an AMC is cheaper

Hard water, heavy use, a membrane due within the year, or a household that will not remember to book. Here the contract's value is that it happens without you managing it.

Whichever you choose, ask the same question at every visit: what did you change, and why? A technician who cannot answer that plainly is changing parts by habit, not by need.

How we do it

Visit price up front, filters shown to you before they are changed with the reason, and no filter replaced that still has life in it. If a contract suits you better, it is offered on the same terms — you always know what was done and why.