How Long Will a Whole House Water Filter Last?

Having a whole house water filtration system installed in your home is a great way to ensure that you have the best quality water flowing through your tap. From great tasting water to purer water for washing dishes and clothes, there are many reasons to install a whole house water filter.

However, just like an air conditioner or furnace, your water filtration system has a lifespan. But just how often do these whole house water filters need to be serviced or even replaced? Advanced Water Solutions will look at a few factors you should know about the lifespan of your water filtration system and how you can get the longest use out of it.

What Happens if you Don’t Change your Filter?

Just like your furnace, there’s a filter in your water filter system that needs to be changed often so that the system runs as cleanly and efficiently as possible. Each whole house water filter has several ways in which it filters your water, and one of those removes sediments from the water. This filter removes particles such as rust from your water line. If your filter is not changed regularly, those particles can make it though the filter and into your home’s water, allowing them to flow from the faucets and into your drinking glass. These particles will also start to affect the performances of your other appliances, making their lifespans shorter as well (see more on this topic here).

How Often Should the Filter be Changed in your System?

A sediment pre-filter should be replaced every 3 to 6 months. If your system is also fitted, the sub-micron post filter should be replaced every 9 to 12 months. Both of these filters are important to the water quality that comes from your tap. Your filter tank should also be replaced, but the frequency of that replacement will depend on the size and capacity of the tank. For example, a tank with the capacity to hold 300,000 gallon should have the filter tank replaced around every 3 years, and a system with a tank that holds 1,000,000 gallons should have the tank replaced every 10 years to maintain the best quality.

How Many Replaceable Filters are in the Water System?

The amount of replaceable filters in your whole house water system will depend on what type of system you have installed. There will always be a pre-sediment filter, but based on your particular system, there is a long list of other filters that may need to be replaced. These range from salt-free filters to UV filters, along with others like activated carbon filters or copper-zinc and mineral stone filters.

In general, the more types of filters your system contains, the better the water coming out the other end. However, whether or not your local water even needs a particular type of filter will determine which ones you get. There’s no point in spending extra on a filter that specializes in removing something that doesn’t exist in your water in the first place. Your best bet is to get your water tested to see what kinds of filters will do the most good in your area. AWS gives free water evaluations, just call 805-263-1542!

If you’re unsure of what your system needs and when something needs to be replaced, it's best to have a professional come out and take a look. They will help you determine what you need to do to get the most of out of your whole house water filter system. If you do not yet have a while house water system and think your home may need one, have an experienced AWS professional come out to your home and help you decide what's best for your home and your budget.