Under sink water filters are key parts of many water filtration systems. As consumable products, they deteriorate and need to be replaced after a certain amount of time to ensure that they are always producing high quality chilled, boiling, and sparkling water.
The Water People have a large range of under sink water filters that are compatible with all different kinds of water filtration systems. To learn more about under sink water filters, read on.
What do under sink water filters do?
Under sink water filters are located beneath sinks and basins and filter contaminants out of mains water before it is dispensed from taps above. Depending on the configuration of your water filters and what types of water filters you have, these filters remove a range of harmful contaminants found in tap water, including:
- Viruses: polio, rotovirus, and norovirus
- Bacteria: E. coli, Legionella, and Pseudomonas
- Cysts: Giardia, Cryptosporidium
- Heavy metals: lead, ferrous iron, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, selenium, and mercury
- Chemicals: Chlorine, bromine, flouride, iodine, pharmaceuticals, organic acids, proteins, and polysaccharides,
- Contaminants: Sediment, rust, dirt, bad taste, and odours
- Others: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), bisphenol A (BPA)
Additional options, like UV sterilisation lamps, alkalisers, and fluoride filters can be added at the request of the owner. These will also need to be replaced in time.
How long do these filters last?
There's no definite answer as to how long a particular under sink water filter will last. As a consumable product, water filters have a finite lifespan one in use. How long they last is dependent on a number of factors, including:
- Usage: How often the system is being used, and how many cups of filtered water it has produced. High traffic systems will require filter changes more often than others.
- Water quality: How hard the filter has to work to remove contaminants. Local water with more contaminants will wear out filters faster.
- Filter type: Some filters wear out faster than others and need to be replaced more frequently.
Usage
Standard under sink water filters should be diligently monitored to prevent an excess build up of contaminants in the system, affecting future quality.
Here are some guidelines to changing and monitoring filters:
- Filters used in commercial settings should be changed every 4 to 6 months.
- Filters in residential settings should be changed every 6 to 12 months.
- Reverse osmosis, membranes, and additional alkalisers only need to be changed ever 2 years or 4 years, respectively.
Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines when changing filters. If in doubt, your water filtration specialist is your best port of call when it comes to monitoring and maintaining your under sink filtration system.
Water quality
Filtration quality can be adversely affected as time goes on, especially if water passing through the system is of poor quality. A filtered water system is rendered useless by a defunct or overworked filter, so it's important to always keep an eye on your water quality.
What's involved with the costs to replace filters?
Maintenance costs of under sink water filters vary from filter to filter, system to system, and by how much they are used. When deciding costs of replacing your under sink filter, your specialist will also need to factor in parts, labour, and the number of filters you need replacing.
Water filter cartridge costs
As water filters are consumable items, they cost money to replace. The table below features replacement costs for popular types of filters.
[table]
[thead]
[tr]
[th]Filter system[/th]
[th]Cost of replacement filters per set[/th]
[/tr]
[/thead]
[tbody]
[tr]
[td]Waterlux 8 Litre Micro Chiller Water Filter System[/td]
[td]$138[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Zip Micro - Boiling only (Residential)[/td]
[td]$169[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Zip Micro - Boiling and Chilled[/td]
[td]$169[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Aquakleen Safety Seal Reverse Osmosis Water Purification System[/td]
[td]$314 (on average over 4 years)[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Aquakleen Twin Bacteria Filter System[/td]
[td]$147[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Aquakleen Twin Fluoride Pre Filter System[/td]
[td]$154[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Aquakleen Twin Chlorine Plus Water Filter System[/td]
[td]$122[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Aquakleen Triple Fluoride Water Filter System[/td]
[td]$227[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Aquakleen Triple Fluoride Water Filter System With Alkaliser[/td]
[td]$406[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Aquakleen Ezi Twist Twin Water Filter System[/td]
[td]$138[/td]
[/tr]
[/tbody]
[/table]
The more filters you have, the more it will cost to replace them. Tap systems with several taps, or located in high traffic areas, will require more frequent changing. Organisations like universities and schools with a range of different under sink filters will cost more to service.
Labour costs
Changing the filter will also incur a fee for labour. Changing an under sink water filter is a technical skill that requires experience to get right. Labour costs offer you the peace of mind to know that your water filter is being handled by a professional.
You should expect to pay labour costs of around $138 for changing a water filter. This price may increase based on how many filters you have.
In the end, it's best to contact The Water People if you have any questions around replacing under sink tap filters. Our expert team can look at your situation, and offer you accurate advice on costs, replacement times, and labour requirements. Get in touch with us to learn more.
What are the benefits of under sink water filters?
It's important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of under sink water filters before making a decision on a water filtration system.
Pros
There are many benefits for under the sink water filters, which vary between models. These benefits include:
- Comprehensive filtration of contaminants
- Compact and hidden away
- Easy, non-intrusive installation
- Extended warranties
Premium models and tap systems even have filter change reminders via alert, email, or SMS.
If you have any questions or concerns about under sink water filters, get in touch with The Water People.
