| We all want clean water, but we don't always take | | | | products, but this schedule may be based on ideal |
| the necessary steps to get it. Most municipal water | | | | conditions that are not present in your home. Some |
| sources do an acceptable job bringing untreated | | | | municipal water sources are naturally cleaner than |
| water up to an established code, but there are still | | | | others, so the same filtering system may perform |
| contaminants, which can survive the treatment | | | | differently depending on location and overall water |
| center process. Homeowners who seek cleaner, | | | | quality. |
| purer water often install their own filters to trap | | | | Here are several methods to consider when replacing |
| those contaminants before they reach the faucet or | | | | the filter in a home water filtering system: |
| sink. These filters range in size from large, | | | | 1. The Calendar Method. Some consumers find it |
| professionally installed units located near the main | | | | easiest to rely on the manufacturer's recommended |
| water pipes, to consumer-installed filters placed | | | | replacement schedule. If a water filter is rated to last |
| directly on faucets. All home water purifiers have a | | | | 6 months, for example, then the homeowner can |
| filter, which must be replaced on a regular basis. | | | | mark a precise date on the calendar for replacing the |
| Regardless of the type of water filter, replacing it | | | | newly installed cartridge. Mark the date of installation |
| should be simple. Save the packaging from your last | | | | somewhere near the filter unit itself and then add the |
| filter. This should contain detailed instructions on the | | | | recommended date of replacement, whether it is a |
| filter’s removal and replacement. In general, a | | | | month or a year. Regardless of actual performance, |
| larger unit will have a special compartment, which | | | | replace the old filter promptly when that date arrives. |
| contains a cartridge-style filter. This filter collects and | | | | Chances are the filter has reached its maximum |
| removes all sorts of contaminants, from bacteria to | | | | effectiveness by this date and changing it regularly |
| solid particulates of metal. It must be replaced with a | | | | insures consistency. |
| new filter when it has reached maximum capacity. | | | | 2. The Indicator Method. Some water filters, |
| You should prepare the new filter as you open the | | | | especially those attached directly to faucets, have |
| compartment containing the old filter. Try not to | | | | indicator strips, which change color when the filter |
| handle the old filter without protective gloves. The | | | | has become significantly less effective. These |
| filtered contaminants can make you sick. Have a | | | | indicators may not correspond with the number of |
| waterproof container (plastic bag, trashcan, bucket, | | | | calendar months suggested by the manufacturer, but |
| etc.) ready for the old filter. Follow the specific | | | | they are usually accurate. Some water filter systems |
| instructions that are included with the replacement | | | | are affected by hot water flowing through the |
| filter. Allow some water to run through the filter in | | | | faucet; so be careful when switching from passive to |
| order to eliminate leftover contaminants and to prime | | | | active filtering mode. Once the indicator needs |
| the new filter. Do not drink the water that initially | | | | replacing, purchase a new filter as soon as possible. |
| comes out of the tap after replacing the filter. After | | | | 3. The Performance Method. Some water filters |
| a few minutes, the water should be safe to drink. | | | | perform well even months after their recommended |
| Many consumers prefer the convenience or lower | | | | change. Others may not last as long. Since |
| installation cost of a water filter attached directly to | | | | replacement filters may be expensive, a homeowner |
| a faucet. Installing this type of filtering system is | | | | may wait until the filter has definitely reached its |
| easy. Replacement filters are sold in department | | | | maximum capacity. This is determined by informal |
| stores, hardware stores, home improvement centers, | | | | performance tests. One test involves the time it |
| or online. These filters can be switched between an | | | | takes to receive hot water through the tap. If all the |
| active and an inactive setting. While actively filtering | | | | household water runs through a professionally |
| tap water, an indicator strip will slowly change color. | | | | installed filtering system first, any significant lag time |
| When the indicator strip reaches a saturation point, | | | | for hot water could indicate a clogged filter. When a |
| the consumer should replace the filter. Most of the | | | | filter becomes 50 or 60 percent clogged with |
| time, this involves purchasing a new filter and then | | | | contaminants, it may need immediate replacement. |
| unscrewing the housing surrounding the old one. | | | | The water flowing through the filter becomes slower |
| Some systems require a short burst of water in | | | | and slower, and takes longer for heated water to |
| order to force out the old cartridge, but removal and | | | | reach the tap. |
| replacement instructions should be easy to follow. | | | | Another performance gauge is the taste of the |
| Once the old cartridge has been forced out, the new | | | | water. If you notice a significantly different taste in |
| filter should fit snugly. The housing is then screwed | | | | your filtered water, the water filter may have |
| back on and the entire unit is ready to begin filtering | | | | reached its limits. Municipal water treatment plants |
| tap water again. | | | | may introduce different levels of chlorine or other |
| While it's important to know how to change a water | | | | chemicals during different seasons, but an efficient |
| filter, it's just as important to know when to change | | | | water filter should keep the water consistent at the |
| it. Changing a water filter too early can be costly, but | | | | consumer's end. If the water becomes cloudy or has |
| waiting too long can lead to health problems and | | | | a disagreeable aftertaste, it may be time to replace |
| overall water quality issues. Filter manufacturers often | | | | your water filter regardless of the calendar month or |
| suggest a specific timetable for changing out their | | | | the indicator readings. |