If you just bought a new Zero water filter, you’d expect it to be useful and consistent in terms of performance, given its patented cutting-edge filtration technology. But have you ever wondered, “how long does a Zero water filter last?”
On average, Zero water filters can last for about a maximum of 2-4 months. This time interval, of course, is estimated based on standard household water usage.
Today, I will discuss the contaminants Zero water filters can eliminate, factors that affect their lifespan, and the common problems most consumers experience maintaining these products.
Table of Contents
What Impurities Do Zerowater Filters Eliminate
ZeroWater filter products will help you remove a broad range of contaminants from your drinking water, like inorganic non-metals (chlorine, fluoride, nitrite, and nitrate) and metals (lead, iron, copper, mercury, zinc, chromium, etc.)
The 5-stage ZeroWater pitcher filter with an ion-exchange system claims to reduce and dislodge 99.6% of total dissolved solids from drinking water.
These filters are designed precisely to sift most foreign ions lurking in your home water. Based on online in-depth product reviews, ZeroWater filters outrank Brita and PUR filters in TDS reduction.
How Many Gallons of Water Does a Zerowater Filter Treat Before It Expires
ZeroWater filters can treat about 25-40 gallons of water, but this lifespan may vary.
Factors That Affect a Zerowater Filter Lifespan
While water filters need replacement now and then, the overall lifespan of your Zero water filter depends on the following factors :
1. TDS value
TDS or total dissolved solids, is the total concentration of solid substances in your drinking water. How much water your Zero filters can treat will depend on the TDS value of your home water.
TDS levels are often expressed in units of mg per unit volume of water or reported as parts per million (ppm). Typically, household tap water could contain 127 ppm TDS.
ZeroWater filters are capable of accommodating up to 40 gallons of water containing 50-200 ppm TDS levels. This number is the average filtration capacity.
If your home water TDS level is more than 500 ppm, the recommended maximum TDS for drinking water, your filter cartridge will decline significantly sooner.
Therefore, a ZeroWater filter should not exceed the 8-gallon standard capacity rule in areas with high TDS content in the water supply. Once the filter has processed more than 8 gallons, it won’t ensure high water quality and lose its sole purpose.
2. Water Usage
Water filters work differently, but your daily household water usage determines how long your Zero water filter lasts. It can vary enormously from family to family. Generally, the average person consumes 8 cups or ½ gallon of drinking water per day.
Suppose you belong to a family of 4, and each one of you shares this same amount of daily water intake. You can expect your whole family to drink about 2 gallons of filtered water per day.
Since ZeroWater has a maximum average service life of 40 gallons, your filter would last 20 days or roughly a month. This volume is just an estimated lifespan of the filter based on the water consumption of an average household.
If you have a large family, it is most likely that every member could consume more than 2 gallons per day.
3. Water filter model
ZeroWater filters offer an innovative 5-stage water filtration system that allows you to dispense clean water. That said, each filter can deliver different filtering capacities for consumers.
For instance, A ZeroWater pitcher with a 10-cup capacity can filter 10-30 gallons of water (approximately 2-6 weeks). On the other hand, a ZeroWater 23-cup dispenser can provide roughly 25-35 gallons of pure-tasting water.
Although both the pitcher and dispenser models use the same type of filter, they can still outperform each other at times because of their difference in size.
A model with a larger volume capacity can allow more water to be filtered. But, continually filling the reservoir to its full capacity every day will reduce the service life of the filter.
Choosing a high-caliber water filter model is necessary because some manufacturers use relatively low-cost materials in producing water filters. Hence, some water filters cannot live up to their advertised ratings.
The good news is that ZeroWater filters have superior quality and can treat water longer than most standard filters. But of course, it will still depend on your water source.
3 Common Zero Water Filter Problems and How to Fix Them
1. The filter suddenly stops working
Your ZeroWater filter might have attracted elevated TDS levels. Generally, your filter could only last between 8 to 20 gallons if your water supply has unusually high concentrations of minerals.
You can still clean and reuse the filter by rinsing it to enjoy great-tasting water again.
Test your water regularly to determine if you should clean or change the filter. If the TDS reading reaches 006 or more, you should replace it.
2. The pitcher faucet/spout is leaking
Water leakage only means that your pitcher has an incorrect setup. The rule of thumb is to fill the water to 90% of the reservoir capacity. This way, water will flow easily but not excessively.
3. Slow filtration process
There are several reasons why your water filter has become painfully slow: trapped air bubbles, incorrect assembly, poor water quality, and excessive usage.
A ZeroWater filter has a naturally slow filtration rate (half an hour). However, if it takes hours to process the water, you can disassemble your Zero Water device.
Unscrew the filter and tap its side gently to remove a possible airlock. Then pour water over the filter until the air bubbles break apart. Ensure to reinstall the parts carefully so that the filter sits inside the dispenser correctly.
How to Make Zero Water Filter Last Longer
- Do not put your ZeroWater device on the counter after use. Leaving a wet filter in an open area allows bacteria to colonize the media and cause clogging.
- Never poke holes into the screen of the filter. It will only expose your filter to more contaminants and slowly decrease its efficiency.
- Avoid using the filter after getting a TDS reading of 006.
Conclusion
How long does a Zero water filter last? It lasts up to 40 gallons. This rating is the average lifespan of most ZeroWater filters, but it is not always applicable to all consumers.
Increased contaminant levels, water consumption, and water filter type are the three significant factors determining the longevity of your ZeroWater filter. Keeping track of these things will help you enjoy your ZeroWater filter at its peak performance.
I am Natalie Bridges. You can call me Nat. I am the content creator of Saveourh2o. My main job is researching common concerns you need help with, and about your home’s water system. I aspire to incorporate Ronald’s experiences, and customers’ feedback on different products, as well as expert’s advice to offer you the most informative content.