How Often Should You Change Your Reverse Osmosis Water Filter?

Whether it’s your HVAC system, air purifier, or water purifier, no filter can work optimally forever without being cleaned or replaced. (Imagine all the nasty particles they collect!) What’s the best option: buying a reusable water filter and handwashing it, or opting for replacement filters? Furthermore, how often should you clean/replace them? What’s the best type of water filter to use in your water purifier? 

This blog will explore these questions and more.

Reusable or Replaceable? The Best Choice for Water Filtration

You might think that reusable water filters are the most eco-friendly option, and in a perfect world, that would be the case. However, there are a few significant drawbacks when it comes to any sort of reusable filter:

• You have to manually wash it yourself, and it’s hard to get these filters truly clean which allows for bacteria growth. 

• Because it won’t be thoroughly cleaned, it won’t work as well when you continue to use it in your water purifier and filter more slowly. 

• They are far less effective. 

• You expose yourself to all of the pollutants it’s caught.

This is why we highly recommend replaceable water filters, so that you’re always starting with a clean slate and cleaner water. 

How Often Do Water Filters Need to Be Replaced?

First, keep in mind that the frequency with which you need to replace your water filter can vary depending on a few factors. This is because water quality can vary drastically from one home to the next. Think of the following questions:

• Do you have hard water?

• Do you live near construction or livestock? 

• Does your water come from the public system or a private well?

The more contaminated your tap water is, the more frequently you can expect to need to change the filter. Additionally, the more you use your purifier, the sooner you’ll need to change the filters. 

That said, there are general rules of thumb. The Sans water purifier has three filters that make up the four-stage process. The pre-/carbon and volatile organic compound (VOC) filter are replaced every 12 months, or 600 gallons. The reverse osmosis replacement filter is replaced every 24 months, or 1200 gallons. To make things easier the Sans water purifier will alert you when it’s time as well. 

If you fail to replace your water filter in time, you may or may not notice the difference in your water quality. Sure, it might taste or smell different, but there are plenty of contaminants that can slip by undetected. In other words, you could be consuming them in your drinking water and have no idea.

That’s why it’s so important to get on a schedule.

Is Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration Really Necessary?

Yes! While there are various types of water filters, reverse osmosis (RO) is the gold standard. One reason is that it can filter a very wide range of water contaminants, from lead, chlorine, and fluoride to chromium, microplastics, and forever chemicals. 

Not only does it remove a greater number of contaminants, but it removes more of each. For instance, Sans’ reverse osmosis filter leaves you with tap water that’s up to 99% free from pollutants—and we combine it with UV-C purification as a final layer of defense.

What you’re left with is water that not only tastes better but is much safer to cook with.

Wait, What About the Alternatives to RO Water Filters?

Maybe you’re considering bottled water or even boiling water to remove contaminants. Are these viable options?

There are a few big problems here.

For starters, the quality of a lot of bottled water isn’t all that different from that of tap water and most contain microplastics. You end up paying a lot more money for the same thing, and you’re contributing to the globe’s growing problem with plastic.

Boiling water is a bit more tricky. While it can remove some contaminants, it will not rid your water of certain chemicals (lead, arsenic, fluoride, hormones, pesticides, fertilizers), microplastics, and neurotoxic microorganisms. It’s also not the most convenient or practical approach.

We wouldn’t recommend other types of water filters, either. They simply aren’t powerful or efficient enough to remove the many contaminants that might be lurking in your tap water. That built-in water filter in your refrigerator? The filter you attached to your faucet? Even typical pitcher filters? They’re only doing the job halfway.

How the Sans Water Technology is Different

What makes Sans’ water technology better than our competitors? In many cases, it will filter out nearly 100% of certain contaminants, including PFOA (>98.8%), microplastics (>99.9%), chloride (>99%), fluoride (>99.9%), nitrate (>99.9%), and E. coli (99.9999%).

It’s got a dedicated VOC filter to eliminate chemicals, pharmaceutical contaminants, and antibiotics. These are harmful substances that other pitcher and refrigerator water filters can’t remove.

Furthermore, our SmartPure technology displays your water quality (including the total dissolved solids) in real time, so you have peace of mind knowing that your filters are still working properly.

Bonus Features of the Sans Water Purifier

Besides leaving you with clean, safe drinking water, the Sans countertop purifier is sleek and modern and requires no installation. The removable glass pitcher automatically refills, and hot water is always ready for your tea or coffee. It’s built with filter replacement indicators so you’ll always know when it’s time to swap them out.

Learn more about the Sans water purifier. If you’re looking for something to carry on with you when you’re out and about, our self-cleaning water bottle might be a great fit. It uses UV-C light purification and removes 99.9% of bio-contaminants (like E. coli and Staphylococcus) within minutes at the touch of a button, cleaning both the water and the bottle itself. The double-wall vacuum insulation keeps water hot for 12 hours and cold for 24 hours.