How often do you replace your Culligan filter? The filter says that it's good for 2 months -or- 200 gallons. I live alone and consume, at the very most, about 3/4 of a gallon of drinking water a day. For the sake of math, let's round it up to 1 gallon. So, based on that math, it would take me 6 to 7 months for me to put 200 gallons of water through the filter. Does that mean that I only have to replace the filter every 6 months? Or, should I still be replacing it every 2 months, even though I've put far less than 200 gallons of water through it? I guess what I'm wondering is if the filter life is determined solely by how much water goes through it, or if it can go "bad" at a certain point (after 2 months) regardless of how much water has gone through it.Thanks! How often do you replace your Culligan filter? The filter says that it's good for 2 months -or- 200 gallons. I live alone and consume, at the very most, about 3/4 of a gallon of drinking water... » Read More How often do you replace your Culligan filter? The filter says that it's good for 2 months -or- 200 gallons. I live alone and consume, at the very most, about 3/4 of a gallon of drinking water a day. For the sake of math, let's round it up to 1 gallon. So, based on that math, it would take me 6 to 7 months for me to put 200 gallons of water through the filter. Does that mean that I only have to replace the filter every 6 months? Or, should I still be replacing it every 2 months, even though I've put far less than 200 gallons of water through it? I guess what I'm wondering is if the filter life is determined solely by how much water goes through it, or if it can go "bad" at a certain point (after 2 months) regardless of how much water has gone through it.Thanks! « Show Less
1469382
The problem is that carbon filters provide a warm moist environment to grow bacteria so you pobably want to change them every 3 to 4 months. S.Chiples
1469383
It's been 4 months and my water filter still seems to be working great (2 person household.) Would be great if someone could post a link to a consumer reports type article about this subject. Of course the mnfctr is going to recommend faster changes than are necessary to get you to buy more. I just set up 3 month regular shipment from Amazon, to be safe.
1469384
Thanks for asking this question because I am also in a similar situation and wanted to also know the answer to this one. Cheers :)
1469385
You've probably already read Consumer Reports water filter ratings and I can't post a link to it either. But, CR rates this Culligan model as the best faucet mounted filter. They have had it rated number one for a couple of years - the reason I bought mine from Amazon.
1469386
Out of curiousity, I waited and changed mine when the water started tasting funny. Of a family of 3 1/2, about two months! So, the product description is fairly accurate.
1469387
Well we have been using these for YEARS, and probably don't use a gallon a week. I will refill our tea kettle a couple or three times per week, so I doubt we use 200 gals per year, so I have changed them only once yearly, like around NOW, and have never had a problem or gotten ill. I always do run it for a good THREE count, as the manual says though.
1469388
I think it's supposed to be two months or 200 gallons, whichever comes first, the "whichever comes first" being the key statement. I change mine every two months, even though I know I don't use anywhere near the 200 gallons at that point. Less than $7 per month for filtered water is worth it to me. I think it needs to be changed that often as leaving it in longer may cause things to grow in it. I just don't take the chance and change it every two months, regardless of the fact that it probably hasn't had 50 gallons run through it at that point.
1469389
Actually, the "mnfctr" does not recommend faster changes than are necessary. Try calling them or emailing them. I have a 1-person household, so I called them about this very issue.As someone else here said (and confirmed by Culligan Technical Support when I asked) bacteria will grow in a warm moist environment, so 4 months is an outside limit ... for your own safety.
2112067
Why would you want too?The filter at best will make 1 gallon of water in 14.4 minutes,that's when it's new.I've had mine for about 7 months, and the time too fill has increased by about 5 minutes per gallon .I use it just for my aquariums. but it still has under a 0.09 ppm,and I make 30 gallons a week.When it reads over 0.25 I'll buy a new one.My guess is that it will last about a year,that will be just under 1600 gallons of filtered water.one more thing this unit has a 2 too 1 ratio,for every 1 gallon of pure water you dump 2 gallons.There are better filters with a 1 too 1 ratio.Also with more gph if you are looking for one under the sink you will want a much faster and more gph no less then 250 gph.Good luck hope this helps.
60352
I personally ignore the light indicator. Changing the filter really depends on how much you use it. The filter is good for 100 gallons of water or 1,600 8oz cups. Usually last for about 3 months again depending on how often you are running water threw it. Hope this helps.
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.
162999
It comes with 1 filter which in a hard water area should last about 2-3 months. A light on the side of the filter holder will tell you when to replace the filter. Packs of 3 or more filters is the best buy. I don't know about some of the comments that say they are bad units, I have been using them for over 10 years with no problem, and great coffee with out chlorine taste. Life expectancy is 2-3 years and possible more depending on your water.
1824161
Hi Bob: This totally depends on the quality of water in your area. If you are using frequently as you seem to, I would tend to be conservative and maybe change every 4 months. I change mine every six months or so but I use it along with spring water for actually drinking. My husband uses it for drinking and I use it for all cooking. It has definitely cut back on how much spring water we buy.
1035400
I only needed to replace mine at most, once a month. I would say it really depends on if you leave the filter on when you feed your fish. By turning it off during feeding, I could sometimes go 2-3 months before changing it.
551490
I bought mine 8-21-2011 and it is still working perfectly.It is easy to keep clean, I don't understand all the complaints about how much trouble it is to clean it. I replace the water filter every 6-8 weeks. If you buy them in bulk they cost less. I'm ordering a 24 pack today for $14.20. On the Cuisinart site they are $35. for 12 filters.
390267
Hi My water starts at around 6.5 it take it to 9.5. The only think I want to warn you about is that you must keep track of the amount of water you put thru it. We drink about 48 oz per day, and it will last us about 2 month. But this is all determined by what in your water and how much used.
1603706
When the filter needs to be changed, the water flow slows down. It all depends on how many contaminants are in your water. My water is pretty clean, so I only have to replace the filter every 6 months.
284107
We change our filters every 6 months, which is the recommended time. There are only 2 of us in the household, so it might be necessary to change it more often--or less--depending on number of people on the system. I would not want to wait until I noticed a change in water taste or quality. Why take a chance of getting a case of the trots?
2208136
They tell us one year. However, I believe it depends more on the amount of water you put through it. We use it only for drinking water and making tea or coffee. Ours lasts two years before the chlorine taste reappears. So, we replace every two years. I suspect if it is used every day for everything in the kitchen it would have a one year life.
1918294
The filter is good for up to 200 gallons. The frequency in which you change your filter depends on your water usage. We change ours every 2 to 3 months.
2007715
The instructions say change after 10 uses, however I have a neighbor who has used the same one for 5 years!!! She rinses it out real well after each use, but her coffee takes 18-24 hours to filter through. She does a pound of Folgers in each batch. My husband has only done 3 batches, but he thinks the filter will last 30+ times. At $2.50 each, I wouldn't change it after only 10 batches, but we figure we will just play it by ear, for now. We use Starbucks beans, ground very coarsely and the taste is so much better using the Toddy Cold Brew System. Not bitter at all!!! Good luck and remember not to use soap on the filter.
1931175
I don't know. Depends how much you use it but you can generally tell when it's not filtering well. Water starts tasting like its right out of faucet. We have 3 - 5 people in house with quite a bit of use and it usually lasts about 2 yrs We've used that particular filter for more than 30 yrs. like it the best. Does great job. Lasts longer than most
1907972
It depends on how much waste your fish make and how much u feed them. But u can wash the filters out and use them 2 or 3 times before having to use a new one. But if you're like me and just use new ones i replace my filters about once per month. So i would say 12 times a year if you're always using new ones. Ohhh and if u do reuse them make sure u wash them with used tank water, u don't want to wash them with new water... Aka chlorinated water out of the sink... Theis will mess up you're good bacteria in your filter.
494471
I believe mine lasts about 2-3 months. I fill about a pitcher a day or so. I do notice some of the black bits ( charcoal?) floating on top of the filter before it goes through but that's all. My unfiltered water is in the 280 range.