How Long Does A Water Filter Last?

Last Updated on August 9, 2023 By Emma W. Thomas

The lifespan of a water filter varies depending on its type and usage. Generally, most residential water filters last around 2 to 6 months or between 100 to 300 gallons of water, but this can differ based on factors like water quality and filter quality.

Types of Water Filters and Their Lifespan

Type of Water Filter	Lifespan
Activated Carbon	2-3 months
Reverse Osmosis	1-2 years
Ceramic	6 months – 1 year
UV	1 year
Gravity	1-2 years
Ion Exchange	3-6 months

Water filters play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and safety of our drinking water. They remove impurities and contaminants, thereby improving the taste and odor of the water. However, it’s important to understand that different types of water filters have varying lifespans. This article will discuss various types of water filters and their corresponding lifespan.

• Activated Carbon: One of the most common types of water filters is activated carbon. They effectively remove chlorine, pesticides, and other organic chemicals. However, the activated carbon filter needs to be replaced every 2-3 months to maintain its efficiency.
• Reverse Osmosis: Reverse osmosis filters produce high-quality water by removing almost all impurities, including bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and dissolved solids. These filters typically last for 1-2 years before they require replacement.
• Ceramic: Ceramic filters are known for their excellent filtration capabilities, as they can remove bacteria, cysts, and sediments effectively. The lifespan of a ceramic filter usually ranges from 6 months to 1 year, depending on the quality of the filter and the water source.
• UV: Ultraviolet (UV) filters use UV rays to sterilize water and kill microorganisms like bacteria and viruses. These filters have a lifespan of approximately 1 year before the UV lamp needs to be replaced.
• Gravity: Gravity filters are popular for their convenience and reliability. They use gravity to pull water through a filter medium, effectively removing impurities. These filters typically last for 1-2 years, depending on the quality of the filter and the amount of water filtered.
• Ion Exchange: Ion exchange filters are commonly used to soften water by removing calcium and magnesium ions that cause hard water. However, they have a relatively shorter lifespan of 3-6 months before the ion exchange resin needs regeneration or replacement.

It’s essential to note that the lifespan of water filters can vary based on the quality of the filter, the water source, and the frequency of use. Regular maintenance and timely replacement of filters are crucial to ensure optimal filtration efficiency. Always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for specific recommendations on lifespan and replacement intervals for each type of water filter.

Why Is It Necessary To Replace The Water Filter?

Your water purifier is liable to provide water that is free from impurities. That means that the water gets filtered inside the purifier and the impurities get stuck inside. When the water purifier filters water, all types of impurities get eliminated from the water. The impurities like- dirt, germs, minerals, and other unwanted particles gather inside the filter during the filtration process.

As you keep filtering water, the impurities keep gathering inside the filter. If you don’t clean the filter on a regular basis, the impurities are likely to damage the water filtration system. With time, the water filter gets inefficient and doesn’t filter water like before. Naturally, the water filtration procedure gets interrupted and you don’t get 100% pure water output from the purifier.

That’s why you have to clean the water filter regularly. The filter of your water purifier needs replacement after a certain period to filter water properly.

What If You Don’t Replace The Water Filter?

A large part of the global water purifier users doesn’t know why they should replace the water filter. They simply avoid replacing the water filter to omit the extra expenses. That kind of thing can be risky and even life-threatening at times.

As mentioned before, the water filter of your purifier stops functioning properly after five-six months. Once it stops filtering water in a proper way, it delivers contaminant water as water output. You assume that you’re drinking pure and healthy water.

But in reality, you keep drinking water that is not properly filtered. In such a case, you or your family members are prone to suffer from different diseases due to impurities present in the water. Probably none wants to take such a risk. Therefore, it’s a wiser choice for you to replace the water filter timely.

Differences Between A Normal Water Filter And A Damaged Water Filter

Normal Water Filter	Damaged Water Filter
You will never get a different taste from the water output of a normal water filter.	The water output of a damaged water filter often tastes different from normal.
No color or odor will be there in the water output of a normal water filter.	You might get a stagnant odor from the water output of a damaged water filter. You might get colored water as well.
You won’t get small particles in the water of a normal filter.	The water from a damaged water filter contains sediments, particles, and dirt.

How Long Will My Water Filter Last?

The answer to this question is subjective and there’s no specific answer to this. On average, a water filter is likely to function properly for five-six months without any issues. The lifetime of the water filter varies from model to model. Generally, the manufacturer sets a particular volume of water that the purifier is capable of filtering. That’s considered the maximum filtration limit of a water filter. Once the maximum filtration volume gets exceeded, the water filter stops functioning properly. The user manual that you get with the water purifier contains the information. From that, you can know how many gallons of water your water purifier can filter.

How Do You Know If Your Water Filter Is Working Or Not?

You can determine if the water filter is working or not from the water output. Once the water filter stops working properly, you won’t get fresh and pure water output like before. The following points are going to clarify this process-

1. The purifier will deliver water that will taste different. Fresh and pure water doesn’t have any specific taste. If you’re getting a different taste from the filtered water, that’s a sign of the dysfunction of the filter. In such a case, you should inspect the matter and replace the water filter.

2. You will also get a different odor from the filtered water. You’re more likely to have a stagnant smell from the water output of your filter. If you’re getting such a smell, it’s time to change the water filter.

3. Some advanced water purifiers come with specific indicators. Those indicators indicate if the water filter is working efficiently or not. Such an indicator will show a red light if the water filter is not working as it should.

4. You’ll notice the presence of sediments in the filtered water once the water filter stops functioning properly. The water filter is supposed to eliminate all types of sediments and particles from the water during the filtration process. If it doesn’t do so, that means it’s not working.

5. The presence of certain chemicals can add specific colors to the water. If you notice that you’re getting colored water from the purifier as water output, consider changing the filter immediately.

Once you see any of these signs, you should attempt to replace the water filter of the purifier.

How Can You Replace The Water Filter?

You should go through the user manual to know the procedure of replacing the water filter. The water filters of some water purifiers can be replaced by users. On the other side, you might have to call the service center to replace the water filter if you have an advanced water purifier. Before calling the experts, try to replace the water filter of your purifier yourself. If you’re finding it difficult to replace the water filter, call up the service center.

Bottom Line

Never show any negligence in terms of replacing the water filter of your purifier. If you see any abnormality in the water output of your water purifier, consider replacing the filter immediately. Also, remember to clean the inner portion of your water purifier at regular intervals. Keep in mind that drinking healthy and pure water is necessary for maintaining good health conditions. That’s why you should take care of the water purifier to save yourself and your family members from critical ailments.

References:

https://waterfilterguru.com/how-long-do-water-filters-last/
https://www.raynewater.com/blog/how-long-do-water-filters-last/