ClarivoHow Often Should Filters Be Replaced?
There's no single universal answer, because it depends on your water and how much the system's used — but there is a reliable general schedule that holds for most households.
The typical schedule
Sediment and carbon stages are usually replaced every 6–12 months. These are the first stages doing the heaviest lifting — catching dirt, chlorine and the bulk of what's in the incoming water — so they wear fastest. Harder water or heavier daily use pushes you toward the shorter end of that range.
The reverse osmosis membrane itself typically lasts 2–3 years. It's protected by the earlier stages, which is exactly why keeping those on schedule matters — a neglected sediment filter shortens the membrane's working life, not just its own.
A UV bulb, on systems that have one, needs replacing on its own schedule to stay effective — UV sterilisation only works at the intensity the bulb's rated for, so this isn't a "leave it until it visibly fails" component.
What actually changes the timing
Water hardness is the biggest factor — a genuinely hard-water area works filters harder than a soft-water one. Household size and usage matters too: a system running constantly for a family of five wears differently to one used occasionally by a couple. And installation quality plays a part most people don't think about — a properly flushed, correctly fitted system starts its filters' working life cleanly, rather than pre-loaded with anything from a rushed install.
How Clarivo handles it
Every package includes a free first filter change, and after that we let you know when the next one's due rather than leaving it to you to track. It's covered in more detail on our Servicing page.