Are Water Filters Standard? A Comprehensive Guide

Learn about standards for evaluating material safety & structural integrity of filtration systems & how to determine what size filter you need.

Are Water Filters Standard? A Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to evaluating the material safety and structural integrity of a filtration system, standards are identical. However, each standard covers a different type of chemical reduction performance tests. Different water filters have different functions, such as making the water taste better, filtering out harmful chemicals or germs, and more. But no filter can keep all types of contaminants out of drinking water, and not everyone needs a water filter. Before replacing the water filter cartridge, you should know if your system uses a standard filter size or a proprietary size.

Most companies that make filter cartridges offer them in one or more standard sizes to fit a wide range of filter systems. However, some manufacturers make systems that cannot use any of the standard sizes, which means they can only purchase replacement water filter cartridges from them. This allows the manufacturer to charge you whatever they want for replacement cartridges, since you have no other option. Most drinking water filters need to be changed every 6-12 months. But the reverse osmosis membrane only needs to be replaced every 2 years.

Duration may vary depending on water contaminants and water use. Unlike conventional reverse osmosis units, no filter housings are required, so there is no mess or hassle during cartridge replacement. These systems are ideal for busy consumers who don't want to worry about complicated filter cartridge replacement procedures. Water filtration systems are a cost-effective way to improve water quality without using electricity or wasting water. Systems can be specialized to address a particular water problem, such as high sediment content, fluoride, or chlorine taste. It turns out that bottled water has no health benefit.

It is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration as a food product, and not by the Environmental Protection Agency like regular water. As such, there is no mandatory testing of the water being used, and quality standards differ. Ultimately, there is no way to guarantee that even the most elegant bottled water will be better than filtered tap water from a municipal supply. So if you're worried about drinking high-quality water, you could do well to look for your own kitchen and the generally safe, treated water that is regularly available to most of us in the United States. Therefore, pay special attention to the micron rating of these filters and the contaminants in the water, as that will be the only determining factor in the success of the filter. If you're not sure what filters you have, start by first determining the make or model of your reverse osmosis filter system.

These filters can be pleated or spun, and some can even be cleaned and reused for certain applications. Because they are installed under the sink, these units may be larger than their countertop sisters, and some house several filters. In general, a spun filter is best if particles of various sizes are to be filtered, thanks to its irregular and complex design. Often, you can easily determine what size filter you need by referring to your water filter system owner's manual. Not only does this produce cleaner water but it improves the efficiency and service life of the other filters in the system as well as piping and fittings. If a filter has an “absolute” pore size of 1 micron for example, each and every pore in the filter is 1 micron or less.

Replacement water filters such as sediment filters which are made to physically filter contaminants are generally rated microns. The most accurate way to get the right replacement reverse osmosis filters is to identify the make and model number of your current system. For example if you were using an activated carbon filter cartridge you could replace it with a carbon filter in most cases. We send original Hydrotech instructions on how to change filters and disinfect the system with every order.