The filters seem a little on the expensive side. If the Brita was used quite a bit, about how often would the filter need changing?
85676
I use my Brita daily for coffee and drinking water - pretty frequent use. I change the filter every 3 months. I have very little scale in the coffee maker (Midwest hard water) and that has been my guide on whether the filter is performing. Very happy with the Brita. Costco has been best local source for filters.
85677
I'd say the two-month time on each filter applies if you're using it a lot, say 5 liters a day. Otherwise, you can keep it for 3-4 months.
85678
We change our filter out monthly. It gets used a lot as well. We are a family of 6.
1347517
Filters need to be changed every 3 months typically, and cost $40 for a 4 pack: http://www.steampure.com/shop/4-filters/So $10 per filter.
242685
That would certainly extend the life of the filter but the distilled water will cost more than replacing the filter if you maintain it properly.
142026
We all have our own Brita bottle, our water tastes terrible (usually like chlorine) and bottled water was getting too pricey. I keep the filters on auto ship, no need to remember, when they show...its time to change them. Great product.
1403283
I've had mine for two years & haven't replaced the filter yet. So, I don't know. It depends on how much you use it I guess.
38510
The system manual recommends changing the pre and post filters every 6 months and the membrane every 1-2 years. I don't use a lot of water and my city water is very clear so I am planning to change all the elements every 5 years. Good luck
204660
We replace our filter every 4 months or so, but we have it on our primary faucet. I think you would be able to "taste" a difference in the water when it needs to be changed. Only you will be able to judge how often you need to change it by the taste. Hope that helps.
1100066
I would clean and do a full water change once a week. The filters are easy to find on amazon for cheap too and should be changed out every 6 weeks or so. Other than full water change and just wiping down with a paper towel, it's a pretty low maintenance tank.
2082920
Dear Sharon, When I did locate the filters last year, I found that they cost almost as much as a new unit, so I bought a new one. Really hard to throw away something that works; built in obsolescence to the max. And I suppose I will do it again next year.
1940086
We recommend changing the filter every 6 to 8 months. However, the filter life will depend upon the environment in which it is used.
2247769
We installed this in May of 2013. Now at the end of July 2014 we still have 40 gallons left of the 200. That's for 2 adults during the week plus guests on the weekends. We use it daily for drinking water and cooking and coffee (we don't have soda or juice in the house, so we're all about the water). My last 2 faucet-mount filters were Brita and I'll never go back. This filter is much more reliable and cost-effective. I'm very glad it has a meter, because otherwise we would have thought we needed to replace it every 3-4 months like we did the Brita (that seemed to be the average we determined while the change filter indicator still worked). We installed this in May of 2013. Now at the end of July 2014 we still have 40 gallons left of the 200. That's for 2 adults during the week plus guests on the weekends. We use it daily for drinking water and cooking and coffee (we don't have soda or juice in the house, so we're all about the water). My last 2 faucet-mount filters were Brita and I'll never go back. This filter is much more reliable and cost-effective. I'm very glad it has a meter, because otherwise we would have thought we needed to replace it every 3-4 months like we did the Brita (that seemed to be the average we... » Read More We installed this in May of 2013. Now at the end of July 2014 we still have 40 gallons left of the 200. That's for 2 adults during the week plus guests on the weekends. We use it daily for drinking water and cooking and coffee (we don't have soda or juice in the house, so we're all about the water). My last 2 faucet-mount filters were Brita and I'll never go back. This filter is much more reliable and cost-effective. I'm very glad it has a meter, because otherwise we would have thought we needed to replace it every 3-4 months like we did the Brita (that seemed to be the average we determined while the change filter indicator still worked). « Show Less
645805
We have been using this system for about 22 months and are still on the original filters! We have cleaned them several times with Scotch Brite pads, and will likely boil them soon for good measure. I would imagine the biggest factor affecting these filters would be the amount of particulates in the unfiltered water. The more particulates, the quicker these filters would clog and reduce their lifespan. Since we are only filtering tap water, I would think these could last for years.
2102112
While the filter is not necessary (after all, all it does is filter the water) but it will, as you stated, require you to not only change the water more often but also clean the pump thoroughly in order to prevent it from burning out or seizing up. Rather than just not use the filters why not use them for longer periods. I change the water once a week with the filter in place and thoroughly clean everything (!) every second week, and replace the filter. OR, you could rinse the old filter out (from the white side with cool water) and change it once a month or even two. Just a suggestion, as I have no idea how many cats you have. I think the filter is more to keep the loose fur and whiskers, airborne lint, normal dust particles and such out of the PUMP rather than filter the drinking water for the good of the animals. Just some ideas that you are free to use or ignore which is the right of everyone that reads this.
245876
I have not changed mine yet. It has been about 6 months. Once I got the bacteria established, I just rinse the sponge and carbon filter in the used water as I do partial water changes.
2113433
Very easy to change filters (hardest part is removing from water) - I rinsed filters out for about a year before replacing - how often depends on how much debris you have in your pond. Mine sits in deep shade and gets a lot of leaf debris; I changed out about 1 -2 x month. Warning: my pump stopped working after about 1 year and reviews are negative about the pump. Otherwise I was very happy with it while it worked.
1802844
Personally I havnt had to change the filters as of yet and my machines run 24/7. I'm figuring every few months or so. The machines do come with replacement filters:)
1439940
I just put a piece of blue tape with the install date on the filter and replace in a year or if the flow slows appreciably (which in my usage/experience takes > 1 year). The filters have gotten more expensive - I used to get them for $70-80 so now I wait longer to replace :)