When to Change Reverse Osmosis Filters

When it comes to changing your pre and post reverse osmosis filters, the best rule of thumb is to change them every 6 months.

Regular 6 month filter replacement will limit the amount of time bacteria has to build up within the filter media. An added benefit of this schedule is being able to check your RO system fittings, lines, and confirming the tank is properly pressurized on a regular basis. RO's are very sensitive, so getting a pair of eyes on them every 6 months will help you catch small problems before they turn into big ones.

Here are some commonly asked questions about RO filter changes...

I've was told to change the filters once a year, is that not true?

Changing your filters every 6 months is the best option to keep a happy RO, but the climate you live in can affect your decision. In areas with cooler temperatures you can can get away with only changing your filters annually. However in areas with warmer temperatures, like Phoenix, Arizona, you should be changing them every six months at least. This is because the warmer temperature is ideal for bacteria growth in your water.

I don't use my RO all that often, do I still need to change them every 6 months?

YES! Not using the system is the worst way to use it.  When not in use, the water your filters sit in is stagnant. This allows bacteria to grow everywhere much easier and get into the filter media quicker, resulting in your filters needing to be replaced even more frequently! The more you use the system the better the water will be, and the better the system will work.

If you are worried about your water usage, be sure to check out our Green RO option!

If my RO water doesn't taste or smell bad why do I need to change the filters?

Your RO filters should be replaced before you notice any changes in your water. If you notice a change in taste, smell and/or clarity of your RO water, you may have a much bigger issue on your hands. That means your filters are leaching contaminants and your membrane may be damaged. This can lead to costly repairs or result in needing to replace the entire system all together.

Do I need to change the Membrane every 6 months too?

Nope. If you are taking care of your system and replacing the pre and post filters regularly, your membrane should last around 2 to 5 years before needing to be replaced.


For more information on RO filter changes, or to schedule home service in the Greater Phoenix area visit joefilter.com.

Benefits of a Clean Dryer Vent!

When was the last time you thought about your dryer vent?  If you are like most people the answer is probably never.

Dryer Vents are seldom seen and rarely worried about, but they are a very important part of keeping a healthy and safe home, but what is a dryer vent? A dryer vent is the exhaust duct attached to the back of your clothes dryer.  This vent exhausts all the hot air built up in your dryer safely out of your house, so long as it's kept clean.  The dryer vent typically vents from your laundry room, to the side of your house or to the roof.

There are four main benefits of having your dryer vent cleaned annually.

1.) Prevent A House Fire!

This is the #1 reason to clean your dryer vent! According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), failure to clean ones dryer vent is one of the top 10 causes of house fires! This claim is backed by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission which states that over 15,000 home fires a year are caused by dirty dryer vents.  This is why Fire Departments across the USA recommend having your dryer vent professionally cleaned AT LEAST once a year.

2.) Save Energy

When your dryer vent is clogged, your dryer has to work a lot hard to try to exhaust its hot air.  This means your dryer will be using up more energy resulting in higher utility bills! Not only that but the overexertion of the dryer and high energy use can actually cause it to break down as well. Once your vent is cleaned your dryer will not have to work as hard, so it will use less energy.

3.) Makes Your Dryer More Efficient

You may have noticed that over time your dryer has been taking longer to dry your clothes. This too can be a direct result of a dirty dryer vent. When the vent has build up in it or is clogged, it makes it harder for the dryer to exhaust the hot humid air inside of it.  So all that heat and moisture will stay in with your clothes causing it to take much longer for them to dry. Cleaning your dryer vent annually will help prevent this problem from happening and have your clothes drying in no time!

4.) Pest Control!

Yup you heard me right. All sorts of critters, from bugs, rodents, birds and even snakes, can make nests in your homes dryer vent, especially in the winter time! These little critters love the warm air being exhausted and all the lint inside the vent makes perfect nesting material. Annual cleaning of your vents will help to get rid of any these nests, and help to inform you right away of any infestations.

If you are looking for a dryer vent cleaning or any other Healthy Home Services in the greater Phoenix area, be sure to check out our website!

10 Steps to a Healthy Happy Home!

Having a happy healthy home should be the goal of every homeowner and renter. The question now is how does one go about maintaining a healthy happy home?

The answer? Preventive maintenance, or as we like to call it Healthy Home Services. This includes but is not limited to changing air filters, cleaning your grill, dryer vent, air ducts and definitely replacing your water filters, and smoke detector batteries.

Here are 10 steps to a happy healthy home!

Step 1: Replace your air filters every month! This will help keep your indoor air clean and prevents your HVAC system from wasting energy trying to pull air through a dirty filter.

Step 2:  Clean out your vacuum every couple weeks or at least once a month.  Your vacuum takes care of some of the dirtiest jobs your home has to offer.  Keeping it clean will help make sure it keeps doing its job to the best of its ability.

Step 3: Change/replace any burnt out light bulb. This should go without saying since no one like tripping and falling or stubbing their toe because the lights don't work.

Step 4: Top off your water softener salt. Having soft water prevent scale build up in your hames plumbing and it is good for your hair and skin.

Step 5: Change your water filters. Most of the more common home water filter systems like fridge filters and RO systems are recommended to have their filters replaced every 6 months. Doing this prevents the filters from leaching and helps ensure your water stays healthy and clean.

Step 6: Change out the batteries in your smoke detectors every 6 months.  Not only is this recommended by the fire department to help avoid a tragedy, but it will also help prevent those annoying low battery beeps at 2am.

Step 7: Clean your dryer vent. A dirty dryer vent is an energy drain and a fire hazard. That is why the fire department recommends cleaning it at least once a year.

Step 8: Keep your grill clean. Keeping your grill clean by quickly cleaning after every use and by doing at least 1 deep clean a year. This can help to extend the life of your grill and keep it grilling in tip top shape. Plus nobody wants to see their burger coming off a nasty dirty grill!

Step 9: Have your air ducts cleaned. Most homeowners are unaware that the EPA reports air pollution levels inside our homes can be 2 to 5 times higher than outside. An air duct cleaning is one of the most effective ways to improve air quality.

Step 10: Install a Nest Learning Thermostat. The Nest Learning Thermostat learns what temperatures you like, turns itself down when you’re away and connects to your phone. This will help you save energy and will send you safety alerts to your phone even if you are not home!

Need help checking these steps off your Honey-do list? Visit joefilter.com or give us a call at (480) 813-9494!
Keep your home happy and healthy by putting it on Joe Filter Autopilot today!

Sonoran Living

We were on Sonoran Living this morning talking about our Healthy Home Services and the importance of Dryer Vent Cleaning... Check it out!

Home Service Video

Here's a short video we shot showing off a Joe Filter home service visit!

BBQ Cleanup Time Lapse

Interested in what a Joe Filter BBQ Cleanup looks like? 

Here's a time lapse video to show you!

Stay Safe: Crime Free Employees at Joe Filter

Joe Filter is Crimshield Certified Crime-Free!

Homeowners scheduling a service visit often wonder, "Who is this person coming in to my home?" At Joe Filter we put the safety and security of your home and family first. All of our employees are required to complete and pass an extensive background investigation through Crimshield before permitted to complete services inside the homes of our customers.

“After a two year study, CrimShield’s statistics shows 14 % of all home service providers have a criminal history. That equivalates into 1 out of 6 service providers around your family or business have a violent criminal history.”

After scheduling a Joe Filter service with our Concierge, you will receive a complimentary appointment confirmation email. The email you receive will provide you a picture of your crime-free technician and a link to verify his or her background check. These certified crime-free technician emails provide you with peace of mind knowing that the service technician in your home has passed a thorough a background check.

Click here for a list of CrimShield Crime-Free Criteria

Are you busy juggling work, last minute errands, and your family? It's good to know that if a Joe Filter employee is in your home while you are away, that he or she has passed a criminal background check. What better way to show you how much we care about the safety of you and your family than by hiring crime-free employees? 

Protect your home by having its filters, batteries, and bulbs replaced by a crime-free business.