I get the appeal of knowing when to expect a UV bulb replacement, but I wouldn’t say it’s always “cheaper than those surprise RO membrane swaps.” In my experience, the cost difference isn’t as clear-cut, especially if you’re dealing with unstable power. Like you mentioned:
We had a couple brownouts last summer and my bulb fizzled out right after.
That’s exactly the kind of thing that can turn UV maintenance into a guessing game. I’ve seen bulbs fail after just a few months when the voltage is all over the place. If you’re in an area with frequent surges or brownouts, you might end up replacing bulbs more often than you’d like, and those costs add up fast. Not to mention, if the bulb fails and you don’t catch it right away, you’re running untreated water through your system.
With RO membranes, at least in my setup, I get a pretty consistent lifespan—usually 2-3 years, sometimes longer if I keep up with pre-filter changes. Sure, the replacement cost stings when it comes, but I’m not constantly checking to see if the UV is still working or worrying about a sudden failure after a storm. Plus, I’ve had a few UV ballasts fry during lightning season, and those aren’t cheap to replace either.
I guess it comes down to what kind of unpredictability you’re willing to deal with. For me, the “surprise” of an RO swap every couple years is less hassle than chasing down electrical gremlins and replacing bulbs that don’t make it to their advertised lifespan. If you’ve got stable power, maybe it’s a different story, but in my area, I’d rather take my chances with the membrane.
I guess it comes down to what kind of unpredictability you’re willing to deal with.
Totally get where you’re coming from. Power issues are a real wildcard. I switched to UF mostly because I was tired of the same “is my UV still working?” anxiety after every storm. At least with membranes, I can see the performance drop, not just hope a light didn’t burn out while I wasn’t looking.
