How Long Do Water Filters Last: Always Have Clean Water
In many cities, it’s not safe to drink the water without treating it with a home filter. There are millions of microorganisms that contaminate the water and make it very unsafe for you and your family. That’s why having a filter helps so much. Still, you need to know how to do maintenance, otherwise, you’ll be drinking dirty water thinking it’s clean. Knowing how long the water filters last is important for your health. You should know when to change the cartridge of the filter to make sure the water has the best quality possible.
So, how long do water filters last? Home water filters last from 6-12 months while counter filters last up to 6 months. The portable filters also last up to 6 months. This is all an estimate since what determines how long any water filter last is the number of gallons that you filter. This means that your daily usage will determine if the filter lasts 3 months or 12 months.
Now, it’s important that you change the filter or the cartridge, if that’s possible, within the timeframe given by the manufacturer or as soon as the water presents any noticeable changes. Still, you should change it within the manufacturer’s timeframe because some of the possible contaminants in the water aren’t noticeable by taste, smell, or sight.
So, below you can find a more detailed answer on the three types of water filters, how to make them last longer, and what to look for in the water to make sure that it’s clean. Just read everything and make sure to follow the tips to use the water filter better.
Home Filters Last From 6-12 Months
The average home filter will last 12 months in most households in a family of four. Now, this depends on the amount of water that it’s filtered daily. A lot of models filter around 1000 gallons before you need to change the cartridge. This can translate in 12 months or even more. Obviously, a bigger family could need to change the filter’s cartridge in 6 months. It’ll depend on how much water passes through it daily.
That’s why it’s important to not only guide yourself by the manufacturer’s directions but also pay attention to the water over time. Another thing that you need to understand is that some microorganisms might not die depending on what system the filter uses to clean the water.
So, the best plan of action is to use the timeframe given by the manufacturer as a guide but not as a definitive rule. Pay attention to other signs in the water, you can read more about that below, and you’ll be good to go. The quality of the filter also plays a role. The APEC Water Systems ROES-50 is a high-quality home filter. It gets you clean water for a long time. Make sure to check it out on Amazon here.
Countertop Filters Last Up To 6 Months
Another type of water filter that it’s used in millions of homes around the world is the countertop water filter. The best thing about this model is that once it’s installed it’s pretty easy to use. This type of filter lasts around 6 months, but then again, this depends on the size of your family.
If you approximately 4 people live in your house, this water filter will likely last you 6 months before you need to either replace the filter or the cartridge. The point is that most models, especially the high-quality ones, will last around 6 months before they need to be changed.
So, you just need to keep an eye for this timeframe. As mentioned above, also keep an eye on the quality of the water. This is the best indicator to let you know it’s time to change the filter. The APEX Quality Countertop Water Filter is the best countertop water filter. It’s both durable and provides high-quality water. Take a look at it on Amazon here.
Portable Filters Last From 3-6 Months
Now, let’s talk about the last type of filter. The portable water filters. This type of filter is mostly used by hikers and campers. You can take it anywhere with you, guaranteeing that you’ll have clean water for you to drink at all times. It lasts for 3-6 months. This will again depend on your usage and also on the model that you’ve picked.
The great thing about this model is that it’s made to deal with water contaminated with dirt. So, you can rest assured that it’s going to deal with any type of water you find during a hike. Since it’s small and made to deal with water under certain conditions, this filter doesn’t last as much as the other two. Although this isn’t made for home use like the two previous ones.
So, if you hike, camp, or do any activity outdoors you may want to consider the portable filter. It lasts form 3-6 months, which is a great timeframe of usability. Since you need something durable that has an excellent filtering system, the Survivor Filter PRO is the one for you. It provides clean water for all your hikes. Click to view pricing on Amazon here.
It Depends On Daily Usage
Something that’s being mentioned quite a lot above it’s how much daily usage affects how long the water filter lasts. This is because the cartridge filters a number of gallons before it needs replacement. The higher it is your daily usage, the faster you’ll reach the total limit.
What this basically means is that it directly affects how long water filters last. Although this is hard to count, if you can figure out the ballpark number of gallons that you’ll filter daily, you can figure out how long the water filter will last. You won’t get the precise number of days, but it’ll be close enough.
So, keep in mind that although there’s an estimate of how long the water filter will last, the daily usage is what counts. Even though you can know the exact number of days, you can have an approximate number. Make sure that you keep this in mind while checking if the filter is still working.
Always Pay Attention To What The Filter Keeps Out
It’s not that hard to find people online complaining about water filters. Now, although there are poor-quality models, oftentimes what happens is that people don’t pay attention to what the filter actually cleans from the water. Some filter clean bacteria but not other microorganisms like protozoa. Also, you should know what kind of debris it cleans.
All this is relevant to make sure that you get clean water. Now, if you look into premium water filters. You can rest assured they’ll clean most microorganisms and debris that can be found in the water. If you want to be totally sure, you can always test the water to see what’s present in it. This way you make sure the filter will work.
So, pay attention to what the water filters clean from the water. This avoids frustration at the final result. Also, make sure that the method the filter uses is compatible with your needs.
Keep An Eye On Any Change In Taste Or Color
Even though there’s a timeframe for each type of water filter, as you’ve seen above, you should still keep an eye out for certain signs. This makes sure that you always have clean, high-quality water at your disposal. The most important measure to take is to keep an eye on any change in taste or color. As you know, water is not supposed to have either taste or color.
If you notice anything like that in your water, it’s not completely safe for consumption since there’s something in the water causing it to have a taste and/or color. That’s when you definitely know that the water filter needs a replacement.
So, make sure that you change the water filter if you notice anything wrong with the taste or color of the water. Also, keep an eye for any smells as well since water is supposed to be odorless as well.
Never Use The Filter Beyond Expiration Date
Finally, remember to never use the water filter beyond the expiration date. Once it reaches this date, make sure to either get a brand-new filter or change the cartridge. Whatever you do, just make sure that you don’t keep using the same water filter.
As you can imagine, it isn’t safe to drink the water once it has expired. The filtering system won’t work as well as it’s supposed to and the water might get contaminated.
So, if you want to make sure that your water is properly filtered, which you, of course, want to, make sure to always change the filter before the expiration date.
Final Thoughts
So, now you know how long water filters last. Again, 12 months for the home filter, 6 months for the countertop filter, and 3-6 for most portable water filters. Also, keep in mind that daily usage is the most important thing even though the timeframe is a nice starting point. Lastly, make sure that you always change your water filter before it expires.
