If you want to install an undersink water filter that requires electricity and already have a garbage disposal with a dedicated electrical outlet, it is not obvious how to power them both.
It can be a confusing problem to figure out, so we will break down the simple process we recommend to power these two devices so you have full control!
Table of Contents
The Problem
Many new undersink reverse osmosis water filters require electricity to power an electric pump, smart RO faucet, and/or ultraviolet filter.
This means you need an electrical outlet under your kitchen sink for the filtration system.
If your home is like many in the United States, there is already a power outlet under your sink that was installed for use by a garbage disposal.
Typically, that outlet is controlled by a wall switch near your sink. This switch will turn on both power outlets or turn them both off.
However, your water filter is designed to be powered on at all times, and if you have a garbage disposal, you only want it to run when needed…
So how do you provide full-time power to the water filtration system all the time AND run the disposal as needed when you have one wall switch to control them both?
If you purchase a filtration system to get the benefits of reverse osmosis water, you probably don’t want to also hire an expensive electrician for something that has a simple solution…
The Solution
We recommend you purchase a very simple product to solve this problem.
Meet the remote control outlet switch!
This simple device sits between a standard wall outlet and the power cord of a connected device. You then turn the device on and off when you press a button on the remote control.
With this extra piece of the puzzle, you can connect your water filter and garbage disposal to the same outlet under the sink without any changes to the wiring.
How to Set it Up
- Acquire a remote control power outlet (see recommended links below)
- Unplug your garbage disposal from the wall outlet under the sink
- Plug the remote power outlet into the top wall outlet under your sink.
- Plug your garbage disposal power cord into the remote power outlet
- Plug your water filtration system cord into the bottom wall outlet under the sink
- Use the wall switch to turn on the undersink power outlets
- Now leave the wall switch in the “On” position all of the time for the water filter
- Whenever you need to run the garbage disposal, use the “On” and “Off” buttons on the remote control instead of the wall switch.
- Bonus tip: you may want to put a piece of clear tape over the wall switch to prevent yourself from accidentally turning off the under sink wall outlets out of habit!
At less than $15 for a single unit, this device is a great way to solve the problem of powering both your water filter and garbage disposal from a single, switch-controlled outlet.
- ✓ READY-TO-GO: Each BN-LINK Wireless Remote Control Outlet kit contains everything you need to start (even the remote batteries!). Simply plug and play, or sync up the outlets to suit your needs.
- ✓ STRONG SIGNAL: Our RF receivers and transmitters work through doors and walls without interfering with other electronics. Signal can function as far as 100 ft in line of sight.
- ✓ FLEXIBILITY: With the option to pair multiple BN-LINK remote outlets together, you can expand your system and make the appliances in your home all accessible in just the palm of your hands!
- ✓ SIMPLE CONVENIENCE: Use the remote or the outlets themselves to turn your appliances on and off. Great with almost any electronic device, including lights, air conditioners, heaters, audio sound systems, holiday decorations, and charging devices.
- ✓ SAFE AND RELIABLE: Outlets will remain off after a power outage to save energy and protect your appliances. Ratings: 120V, 10A, 1200W (NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SHOP VACS)
For just a few dollars more, you can upgrade to a pack of three remote power units that are all controlled by a single remote control. Use one under the sink and the other two elsewhere in the room to control lights or other devices. You’ll be surprised how nice it is to use the remote to turn on a lamp or other device in the room!!
Other Options
If you are interested in a “smart home” solution, there are plenty of other remote control power outlet options including smart plugs that can be controlled by your phone or voice via Alexa or Google.
- [VOICE CONTROL]: Simply voice command to control multiple home devices with our smart outlet via Alexa or Google Home. Enjoy the hands-free convenience of controlling any home electronic appliances. Made for everyone, perfect for elderly, disabled, or for hard-to-reach plugs
- [CONTROL FROM ANYWHERE]: Turn electronics on or off from anywhere in the world with your smartphone using the BN-LINK app or by simply giving voice commands to Amazon Alexa or Google Home Assistant. No Hub Required, works with 2.4GHz network
- [SMART SCHEDULING]: Set the wifi smart plug to automatically power most electronics on and off as needed. With timer function setting lamps, fan, humidifier, any lights to come on at dusk and turn off at anytime
- [GROUP & SHARE CONTROL]: The convenient and efficient group control function allows you to share these wifi smart plugs to all family members in a minute. Let no more worries. Everyone can control it easily
- [EASY TO SET UP,SAFE TO USE]: Requires a secured 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network connection. ETL certified. Rated: 15 A, 125 V, 1875 W
What if I don’t have a garbage disposal?
If you have wall outlets under your sink that are controlled by a wall switch but no garbage disposal, you don’t need any additional parts!
Just plug your water filtration system into the wall under the sink, turn on the wall switch, and then leave it on all of the time.
As suggested above, you may want to put a piece of tape over the wall switch to prevent anyone from turning off the power to the water filter by accident.
Water Filter Maintenance
If you ever need to turn off your water filtration system for maintenance, you have several options.
- Turn off the wall switch to the undersink outlets
- Unplug the water filter power cord from the wall outlet
- Unplug the water filter power cord from the back of the water filtration system
- Toggle the power switch on the water filtration system chassis, if it has one
Problem Solved!
You now have all the information you need to install your own electric water filter alongside a garbage disposal.
We hope this article has been helpful in guiding you through this process!
