As you go through life, there are many tasks that make you think, "Isn't this something I should call a professional for?"

One of those tasks is installing a water purifier. In Korea, when you think of water purifiers, rental services come to mind.

A technician comes to install it and returns every month to change the filter, which is quite convenient. I thought that was the norm.

However, when I came to Texas, I found that the situation is completely different. When you order a water purifier from Home Depot or Amazon, a box arrives at your doorstep.

And then you install it yourself. At first, I thought, "What if I mess up the plumbing?"

But once I tried it, I found it was much simpler than I expected. In fact, the DIY culture in America didn't arise because Americans are particularly skilled.

The main reason is labor costs.

For example, if you hire a company to install a water purifier, depending on the area, the installation fee alone can range from $200 to $400.

In Texas, it's common to hear about fees around $300.

However, many water purifiers cost between $200 and $400 as well. So, you end up paying as much for installation as you do for the product itself.

Therefore, Americans naturally start doing the math. "If I watch a YouTube video and invest just one hour, I can save $300?"

The answer is pretty obvious.

That's why if you look in American garages, you'll find a lot of tools.

It's rare to find a home without drills, wrenches, monkey wrenches, or electric screwdrivers. It's not just a hobby; it's an investment to save on living expenses.

The same goes for water purifiers.

Nowadays, the commonly used RO (Reverse Osmosis) water purifiers come with almost all the installation kits included.

The tube connections are color-coded, and the instructions are quite user-friendly. Most of the necessary tools can be handled with just a monkey wrench and a screwdriver.

Even a first-timer can finish the installation in about an hour if they follow along slowly. I prepared thoroughly and finished in 30 minutes, haha,

Interestingly, the most challenging part is not the plumbing but finding a spot to install the faucet above the sink.

However, these days, there are many products that utilize existing soap dispenser holes or can be installed without drilling, making it much easier than before.

Once installed, the satisfaction is quite high. The chlorine smell is almost gone, and the coffee tastes smoother.

The ice is clear, and the hassle of constantly buying bottled water is eliminated.

Maintenance is even simpler.

The pre-filter usually needs to be replaced every 6 to 12 months, and the RO membrane should be changed about every 2 to 3 years.

Recent products even have LEDs that indicate when it's time to change the filter, so it's not particularly difficult.

As you live in America, you accumulate these experiences one by one.

What initially seemed daunting often leads to the thought, "Why did I call a professional for this?"

But we live in an age where YouTube installation videos are everywhere.

If you can invest two hours on a weekend to save $300 and gain the satisfaction of having done it yourself, isn't that part of the fun of living in America?