A Berkey water purification system is a lifetime investment that will provide you with an ongoing supply of purified water, ensuring you always have clean, safe drinking water on tap. One of the key benefits of Berkey water filtration systems, such as the popular Big Berkey and other water filters in their range, is that you can replace the Berkey filter elements. But how to know when to replace Berkey filters? How often do you need to change them? Let's find out!
In this article, you'll discover:
- How often to replace Black Berkey filters?
- How often to replace Berkey fluoride filters?
- How often to replace Sport Berkey filter?
- How to calculate Berkey filter lifespan?
- What factors can decrease the lifespan of your Berkey filter?
- How to test whether you need to change your Berkey filters?
How Often to Replace Berkey Filters? General guidelines
There are actually a couple of different Berkey replacement filters, each of them having its specific purpose. Below, you'll find information on how long should any of these Berkey filters last, starting with the most popular and iconic: the Black Berkey filter.
How long do Black Berkey filters last?
Black Berkey filter elements are designed to be durable and have a long lifespan compared to its competitors. A set of two Black Berkey filters will filter approximately 6,000 gallons of drinking water (3,000 gallons per purification element) before a filter replacement is due.
So, how often to replace Black Berkey filters? If you only drink a gallon of water each day, a set of two black Berkey water filters can last you a whopping 16 years! More conservatively, if you drink 2 gallons of water per day, they could last more than 8 years, and if your family drinks 4 gallons of water per day, they potentially would only need to be replaced after 4 years of use.
Since the black Berkey elements can be recleaned and reused during these 6000 gallons, there is no need for costly disposable filter cartridges. Simply remove the filters when the flow rate becomes sluggish, clean them by brushing with a Scotch Brite pad under running water, then re-prime the filters and reinstall them back into your Berkey system to continue removing contaminants in your water. Being able to clean the filters, means they have a much longer filter lifespan than most other filters on the market.
Here you can learn more about how to clean Berkey water filters!
How long do Berkey fluoride filters last?
If your tap water contains high levels of fluoride or arsenic, you can optionally install a set of Berkey PF-2 fluoride filters into the lower chamber of your Berkey system to use in conjunction with the Black Berkey filters fitted in the upper chamber. Bear in mind that the number of PF-2 filters must match that of the Black Berkey's in the upper chamber.
Okay, but how often to replace Berkey fluoride filters? While each Black Berkey purification element will filter up to 3,000 gallons of water before you will need to replace the filter, a single PF-2 fluoride and arsenic filter will need to be replaced after it has filtered 500 gallons of water or after one year of use, whichever comes first. Since PF-2's are sold in sets of 2, they are good for 1000 gallons of water, or one year of use, whichever comes first.
How long does a Sport Berkey filter last?
A Sport Berkey water filter bottle can be refilled 160 times when used to purify untreated water from any source, or 640 times when used to purify treated municipal water or well water. After reaching these limits, you need to buy new Sport Berkey replacement filter.
Be sure to remember that Sport Berkey's purchased before October 1st, 2015 will have to be replaced with the newer version as replacement filters for the older design have been discontinued. However, if you own a Sport Berkey water filter bottle purchased after October 1st, 2015, you can purchase replacement filters once the lifespan of the original filters has lapsed.
How To Calculate Berkey Filter Lifespan
While Berkey recommends the approximate lifespan of the Black Berkey filter elements is 3,000 gallons per element, this can be tricky to estimate in terms of time. But you can use the handy conversion formula below to convert the volume of water consumed in gallons per day into the estimated lifespan in days, months, and years:
(number of filters x 3,000) / gallons used per day = filter lifespan (in days)
How to apply this formula to real life? Here's a step-by-step:
- The first thing you will need to do is estimate how much water will pass through the filter on average daily
- Once you have an estimate of your average daily water consumption, you will need to take note of how many Black Berkey filter elements are installed in your Berkey water filtration system. This can range from two up to eight for the larger Berkey systems
- Multiply the number of filters fitted into your system by 3,000 to determine the filter lifespan in gallons.
For example, if your system comes fitted with the standard two filter elements your calculation will be as follows:
2 (Black Berkey filter elements) x 3000 (gallons) = 6000 gallon filter lifespan
Now that you have determined the filter lifespan of your system in gallons, it's time to convert that to lifespan in months/years. To do this, you divide the filter lifespan (6000 gallons in our example above) by your estimated water consumption (in gallons) per day. If you filter an average of 5 gallons of water per day your calculation will be as follows:
6000 (filter capacity in gallons) ÷ 5 (water consumption in gallons) = 1,200 days (i.e. approximately 3 ¼ years)
Easy, right? But this isn't all – there are still a couple of variables that you should have in mind.
Factors That Can Decrease the Lifespan of Your Berkey Water Filter
If your water source consists of poor-quality water that is extremely contaminated, your filters will get clogged up more quickly and the lifespan of the filters will be reduced. If you notice a discolored or slimy film covering your filter elements, it is time to clean them by rinsing them under clean, running water. Improper care and use can reduce the Berkey water filter lifespan.
A good practice is to ensure that you regularly top up your Berkey system to prevent the filter elements from drying out, which will require you to reprime them before using them again. To do this, you can use Berkey Filter Priming Kit.
You should also assess the flow rate. With prolonged use over time, the tiny pores in the filter element will become clogged with the contaminants they have trapped, slowing down the rate of filtration. Should the flow rate decrease considerably, it is time to clean your filter elements. If after cleaning your filters, there is no noticeable improvement in the flow rate, it may be time to replace the filters. You can purchase replacement filters online directly from this website!
How to Test Whether You Need Replacement Filters
If you are unsure whether your filters have reached the end of their lifespan, you can conduct the simple and reliable red dye test to determine if the filter elements are still filtering water effectively.
The red food coloring test can be used anytime during the filter's life if you are concerned that the filter may not be performing optimally.
To perform the test, add ⅛ teaspoon of red food coloring per gallon of water to the upper chamber of your Berkey. Let the dyed water filter through the elements into the lower chamber of your Berkey. If the water in the lower chamber contains any traces of color, it is time to replace the filter elements.
How Long do Berkey Filters Last: FAQ
What is the expected filter lifespan of a Black Berkey® water filter element?
The expected lifespan of the Black Berkey filters depends on how much water is filtered daily. Each Black Berkey filter can process 3,000 gallons of water before needing to be replaced. A set of 2 Black Berkey filter elements can process 6,000 gallons, while a set of 4 Black Berkey filter elements can process 12,000 gallons before needing to be replaced.
How long does a Berkey fluoride and arsenic filter last?
Each Berkey PF-2 fluoride and arsenic filter can treat 500 gallons of water before needing to be replaced. Therefore a standard set of 2 x PF-2 filters will need to be replaced after they have processed 1000 gallons, while a set of 4 PF-2 filters can process 2000 gallons before needing to be replaced.
How long do Sport Berkey filters last?
Sport Berkey filters can be used for 160 refills when filtering untreated water from any source, or for 640 refills when used to filter treated municipal water or well water.
How long do Berkey shower filters last?
After 1 year of usage, or once 30,000 gallons of water have passed through, whichever comes first.
How long do Berkey filters last and do they expire?
Berkey filters don't expire, as in you don't have to use them by a set use-by date. However, once in use, some Berkey filters, such as the shower filter for example, need to be replaced within the recommended time frame to ensure optimal efficiency.
When should I replace the filter in my Berkey system?
If after cleaning your filters, If your system continues to perform suboptimally even after cleaning the filters, you can check the flow rater or conduct a food dye test to see whether it is filtering properly. If flow rate continues to be slow or the water in the lower chamber is discolored following the food dye test, it's time to replace your filters.
