How often Should you replace a Whole House Filter?

A home water filter removes impurities and contaminants to make water drinkable and wholesome. Apart from keeping you safe, some home systems and appliances depend on good and clean water to work effectively.

A whole house water filter is installed on the main supply line to filter, purify and decontaminate water before sending it to different home parts.

Water filters Sydney vary in how often they should be replaced; however, a whole house water filter should be replaced within 2 and 6 months. It is also advisable to check out the manufacturer's guide for detailed and concise information.

Signs that a Filter Should be Replaced

Specific observations can hint that it’s time you changed your home filter. Some of them are:

• - Water odor

• - Unpleasant taste

• - Decrease in water pressure

• - Water discoloration

• - Unusual noise from the tap or faucet

• - Slippery water

Why Change Your Water Filter

To keep your filtration system effective, you must replace the old water filter with new ones. The filterability of a water filter decreases with use, so the more you use a water filter, the less effective it becomes until it becomes entirely unsuitable for its intended purpose.

Not replacing a water filter can expose your household to contaminated and unsafe water. Unsafe water causes 1.2 million deaths annually, according to research.

Main Types of Water Filter and Replacement Schedule

• Sedimentary Filters

Sedimentary filters are specifically designed to remove sedimentary particles like sand, dirt, rust, silt, and similar particulates from water. It also removes the taste and smell of some chemicals like chlorine. This filter should be replaced every two to six months for the best results.

• Granular Activated Carbon Filter ( GAC)

GAC is generally referred to as a carbon filter. It is designed to remove specific chemical contaminants and eliminate odors and sour tastes. The carbon filter removes hydrogen sulfide, chlorine, and some organic chemicals.

Granular activated carbon filters should be replaced between 3 to 6 months.

• Chlorine Taste and Odor Carbon Filter

As its name suggests, a CTO carbon filter removes chlorine taste and odor from water and produces clearer, better-tasting, and odorless water. It should be replaced every 6 to 12 months.

• Membrane

A membrane is a selective barrier that allows for the passage of some material and the passageway of others. It is an important stage of reverse osmosis (RO). The membrane can remove up to 99 percent of contaminants in water, including lead, chlorine, fluoride, arsenic, hormones, calcium, and sodium.

Membrane should be replaced within 12 to 24 months to get the best result.

Factors Affecting Water Filter Lifespan

• Water Quality

Water with low total dissolved solids (TDS) will take more time to corrupt the filter media than water with high TDS.

• Type of Water Filter

A primary water filter, like the whole house water filter, removes most of the impurities and contaminants present in water compared to the secondary water filters.

• Water Consumption.

Water filter lifespan is measured in amounts of water filtered. So, when the given gallons of water is filtered, such filters should be replaced.

Changing your water filter even when there is a drop in efficiency protects your household from the risk of contaminated water.