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How Long Will a Whole House Water Filter Last?

Fresh, Healthy WaterInvesting in a whole house water filter ensures that all the water you use and drink is cleaner and safer. Like many important appliances, it requires regular maintenance. Whole house water filters have a longer lifespan than point-of-use filters, but some of the components will need to be replaced periodically. Keeping up with the replacement schedule for your water filtration system prevents your water from getting a bad taste and wearing out your water-using appliances.

What filters need to be replaced?

Whole house water filters are complex. They usually include multiple types of filters to produce the safest, purest water for your home. Your whole house water filtration system may include a sub-micron-post filter, a UV filter, a mineral stone filter, an activated carbon filter, a copper-zinc, or a salt-free water softener.

One filter that every whole house system has is the pre-sediment filter. The pre-sediment filter is the first filter water passes through. It removes sediment, rust and silt. It is the only filter that you will need to replace individually, unless your system has a sub-micron-post filter or salt-free water softener.

No matter what combination of filters make up your whole house system, the tank will need to be replaced either every 3 or 10 years depending on its capacity.

How does an old filter impact water quality?

When a filter has been maxed out it becomes less effective. It’s unable to play its part to keep contaminants out of your water. A pre-sediment filter past its replacement date may let rust, sediment and silt particles slip through it. These gritty contaminants are tough on your pipes, faucets, water-using appliances, and shower heads. This extra wear and tear can decrease their lifespans. Drinking water with these particulates in it can have a bad taste and texture. It can also increase the risk that you or your family might be exposed to a disease-causing organism which may result in health problems.

What is the replacement schedule for a whole house water system?

The pre-sediment filter should be replaced every 3 to 6 months. If your water filtration system has a sub-micron-post filter, it should be replaced every 9 to 12 months. If your system has a salt-free water softener it should be replaced every six years. You don’t have to worry about replacing any other filters.

Whole Home Water Filtration System

How often you should replace the tank for your whole house water filter depends on its capacity rating. If you have a FB300 tank, it should be replaced every 3 years or 300,000 gallons of water. If you have a FB1,000 tank, it should be replaced every 10 years or 1,000,000 gallons of water.

Tip: An easy way to stay on top of your system’s replacement schedule is by creating events in your digital calendar. You can schedule early notifications so that you have time to order a new filter or tank before it needs to be replaced.

The long-term benefits of a whole house water filtration system are worth the maintenance. It extends the lifespan of your pipes and appliances along with removing dangerous chemicals, toxic metals and other contaminants that could impact your health. If you want to learn more about the benefits of a whole house water filter, reach out to the experts on our team at Tri-Florida Water Treatment, Inc! We are certified Department of Environmental Protection Water Plant Operators. We serve residents throughout Polk County.