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.

Healthy Home Tips for Cold and Flu Season.

Cold and flu season is upon us! Of course you do not want your family or yourself to pick up one of these nasty bugs, but sometimes that is easier said than done.  As we all know there is no magic cure for the cold and flu, you usually just have to ride them out. You can however take steps to help prevent the spread of germs around your friends and family. This will help lessen your chances of getting sick.

Try out these tips this cold and flu season to keep yourself and your family in good health!

1.) Wash Your Hands Frequently-

This is the simplest yet one of the most effective forms of prevention you can do. Whenever you blow your nose, sneeze, use the restroom or are in contact with people and animal be sure to wash your hands. To completely get rid of viruses from your skin, you need to scrub hard for 20 seconds or more.  If you are not near a place to wash your hands, an alcohol based hand sanitizer will do in a pinch.

2.) Change Your Homes Filters-

Your homes filters (both water and air) are literally made to collect all the bad impurities from your air and water. But if you do not change these filters regularly they can become so full of contaminants that they can't hold them anymore and are rendered in effective.  Worse yet they can actually become so full they begin to release all the contaminants they built up back into your air and water only in higher concentrations. This is why it is important to follow the manufactures recommendations on when to change these filters. Air filters should be changed monthly to quarterly depending on how often you run your system. Water filters are typically recommended to be changed every 6 months.

3.) Antimicrobial Filters-

This tip goes along with the tip above.  If you are really worried about getting sick or have someone in your household that is sick, you may want to invest in some antimicrobial air filters. These specialty air filters will sterilize the air that is pulled through it, helping to kill off harmful microbes in your homes air. Thus helping to prevent the sickness from spreading to everyone in a house.

4.) Avoid Large Crowds-

Basic statistics here folks.  The more people around you the more likely someone in that group is sick.  So during the cold and flu season if you can avoid big crowds, do so. This can be easier said than done especially during the holiday season.  So if you can't avoid the crowd just be sure you follow the other tips.

7.) Disinfect Your Homes Hotspots-

Hotspots are parts of your home that everyone touches and uses multiple times a day. Examples would be doorknobs, railings, kitchen counters, fridge and microwave doors, kitchen counters and even your toilet. These items and places see a lot of traffic throughout the day and are more likely to be breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. Make sure you disinfect these areas thoroughly with a disinfectant spray.  

6.) Clean Your Cleaning Supplies-

This might seem like an oxymoron but if you clean your counters with a dirty rag or vacuum your room with full vacuum, you are just adding to the problem.  Before you start cleaning make sure all of your equipment is clean and ready to go.  Using dirty rags and mops will actually just end up spreading around more germs around your house, and using a full or dirty vacuum will just end up kicking more dust and dirt into your air.


If you follow these tips, it will up your odds of staying healthy and active this cold and flu season.

To learn about our healthy home services and what we can do to help you this season please visit joefilter.com!

Reverse Osmosis (RO Water) 101

Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems are a popular water filtration systems for drinking and cooking water. Household RO systems are typically located under the kitchen sink and supply you with filtered water out of a separate smaller faucet on your sink. The RO system is made up of several pre and post water filters, usually a sediment/carbon combination, and a RO membrane which allows the system to do the process of reverse osmosis.  Even though these systems are very popular, a good amount of people still do not know much about them.  Below I will go over some of the most common questions about RO systems we hear.

How Does it Work?

RO systems work by filtering water through a variety of filters (usually carbon and sediment) to rid the water of most of its visible solids. Next the water goes through the RO's membrane which allows it to do the process of reverse osmosis. Reverse osmosis is the process in which water is forced under pressure through a semipermeable membrane. This process allows RO systems to not only filter out any remaining visible solids from your water but dissolved material too. Meaning the reverse osmosis removes more than 90% of all contaminants and impurities found in your water! The contaminated water is drained away and the filtered water is then fed into your RO tank. Some systems will also have a post filter to filter the water coming out of the tank one last time before it pours out of the faucet.

How Often do I Need to Change the Filters?

It's recommended by the manufactures to change your pre and post filters every 6-12 months, and the membrane every 2-5 years. However in warm weather climates where the tap water stays in the mid 80 degrees all summer long, it's recommended not to go over 6 months. This is because the warm water is ideal for bacteria growth. Regular filter changes will also help prevent leaks and extend the life of your RO membrane.

If I Don't Use my RO Much do I Still Need the Filters Changed?

Yes! Not using your RO is possibly the worst thing you can do to it.  It will allow the the water to grow stagnate around the filters and in the tank, resulting in bacteria growth. Not using your RO will also cause your system to be more susceptible to leaks and other issues. The best rule of thumb is to use your system as much as possible to keep water moving through it, as you will still need to change the filters if you don't.

Is There a Way Not to Waste as Much Water?

Yes there is! Most reverse osmosis systems have a 3:1 ratio on water use.  What this means is they use up 3 gallons of water in order to make one gallon of RO water.  Recently some manufactures have developed a new "Green" membrane (such as the Pentair GRO-50EN) which allows the reverse osmosis to use only 25-35% of the water used by a conventional RO system. To put it simply it drops the ratio from 3:1 to 1:1!

Are All RO's the Same?

Yes and no.  All RO systems do the process of reverse osmosis that we talked about above but not all RO systems are made the same.  In the world of RO's there are two main types, Proprietary ROs and "Standard" ROs. Proprietary systems are systems that are "unique" to a certain manufacture. What this means is that these systems are built so that their parts and filters can only be purchased through that manufacturer, sometimes at a much higher cost. "Standard" systems, as we call them, are systems that use universal filter sizes that you do not need to go through the manufacturer to get. There are also systems that use specialty filters and parts, such as the "Green" membrane we spoke of before. These filters and parts allow your system to do something most other systems can't.  Such as dropping the water usage, balancing the PH level, reintroducing healthy minerals into your water and more.

There you have it our most commonly asked questions about RO system answered. If you have a question about RO systems we did not answer here or if you would like to schedule an RO filter service please visit ro.joefilter.com!

For information about our services visit our website, joefilter.com.

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!

What are Sediment and Carbon Water Filters?

There are variety of water filtration systems out there, from the under the sink RO, to fridge filters and even the portable water pitcher with a filter. No matter what system you use, most household water filters are either a carbon or a sediment filter.

What are sediment and carbon filters you might ask?

 A sediment filter is a filter usually made from spun poly or cotton (as well as a few less common fibers), that is designed to remove sediment from your water (aka. dirt and other visible solids). A sediment filter will not filter out chemicals or affect the taste of the water however, that's where the carbon filter comes in.

A carbon filters use positively charged or "activated" carbon to remove negatively charged impurities such as certain chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Activated carbon filters using the process of adsorption.  This is where pollutant molecules in your water become trapped inside the pore structure of the carbon. This allows the carbon filters to catch the majority of pollutants that the sediment filter cannot.

How do I keep them working correctly?

Its simple you just replace the filters before they go bad. Most manufactures recommend replacing your water filters every six months. This is because your filters are constantly submerged in water, capturing pollutants.  After six months, your water filters can have bacteria growing within the filter media, as well as a variety of other gunk they have accumulated. Once your filters become too full (usually between 6 to 12 months) they can begin leaching the contaminants they collected back into your drinking water in higher quantities!

Need help replacing your water filters? Ask Joe Filter for help!

5 Ways to Make Your Home Healthier.

Here are 5 quick and simple ways to keep your home happy and healthy!

Keeping a healthy home is important, but how do we do it! The majority of the air we breath and water we drink is at home.  If we want to take steps to making our homes healthier we should start with the air we breath, water we drink and lets throw in fire safety just for fun!
Below are 5 quick and simple ways to keep your home healthy.

1.) Change your air filters:

Did you know the EPA reports that air pollution levels inside our homes can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels. This is why we recommended to change your air filters once a month. Being on top of your air filter changes will help to minimize the amount of air pollutants being circulated through your home.

2.) Clean out your vacuum:

Your vacuum does all the dirty jobs in your home causing it to become full dirt from weeks of use.  When it becomes too full it will begin putting all this dirt and dust back into your homes air. This is why it is important to empty the bag or canister of your vacuum before it become full.  You will also want to check and clean/replace your vacuum's filter when you do this, if your vacuum has one.

3.) Top off your water softener salt:

Did you know a water softener helps to prevent scale build up within your homes plumbing.  This helps to prevent leaks and extends the life of appliances like dishwashers and washing machines.  A water softener can only do this if it is properly maintained by topping off its reservoir with the water softener salt.

4.) Change your water filters:

If you put off changing your water filter too long they could begin leaching contaminants back into your water. This means everything they've collected could be put back into your drinking water in higher quantities. Most water filters are recommended to be changed every 6 months.

5.) Test your smoke detectors: 

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) says to test your smoke detectors at least once a month and to change their batteries every six months. It may seem like a menial boring chore but it just may save your life some day.

Want a simple way to check these items off your to-do list visit JoeFilter.com to learn about our healthy home services.

Could Not Changing Your Filters Make You Sick?!

Filter changes are not exactly what you wake up excited about... But could not changing your filters make you sick? The answer is YES, it could. 

Now we are not saying that forgetting to change your filters here and there is going to give you some crazy disease that throws the world into chaos, resulting in having to fight off mutant beavers for food... but anything is possible. Most likely forgetting to change filters will result in much milder problems, but still problems nonetheless.

For instance air filters are recommended to be changed once a month.  If you put off doing this dust and dirt can accumulate on the filter to the point where your filter will not let your HVAC system draw in any air.  This can cause strain on your HVAC system, higher energy bills and your homes air no longer being circulated and filtered.  Without your air being circulated and filtered dust and germs can become more prevalent.  Resulting in anyone with allergies or asthma to be at higher risks of attack.  As well as heightening your chances of getting sick.

100 Common Water Toxins

Not changing your water filters, such as RO and fridge filters, can also cause problems.  If you put it off too long the filters may begin leaching the contaminants they've collected back into your drinking water, only in much higher quantities. Drinking these contaminants in higher doses could result in a variety of adverse health problems.  Illness that could come from this would depend on what contaminants and toxins are leached back into your water. Click on the picture to the right for a list of common water toxins.

The moral of this story is, keep yourself and your home healthy and change your filters regularly. 

Don't want to worry about remembering your filter changes?  Call Joe Filter today (480) 813-9494 and ask about putting your home on Autopilot!  

Not in our service area? Subscribe to Joe Filters Healthy Home in a Box and never forget a filter change again!

What's the Difference Between Reverse Osmosis and Regular Water Filters?

How are RO systems different than other water filters?

Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems are not your regular water filtration system.  Most water filters are typically just a carbon based filter or a sediment filter. A sediment filter is typically made from spun poly or cotton (as well as a few less common fibers), and are designed to remove most sediment from your water, but it does not filter out chemicals or affect the taste of the water. Carbon filters use positively charged or "activated" carbon to remove negatively charged impurities like certain chemicals and volatile organic compounds. The RO however, usually has both sediment and carbon filters along with a semi permeable membrane.  This membrane is what makes an RO system different because it allows the RO to do a process called reverse osmosis, and yes that is how the system gets its name.

(Click to Expand)
Figure 1

The process of reverse osmosis allows your system to filter out not only visible solids (like regular water filters do) but also dissolved material! This means the reverse osmosis removes more than 90% of all contaminants and impurities found in your water, including toxins like arsenic. See Figure 1 for a list of common water toxins. Reverse osmosis is accomplished by household water pressure pushing the tap water through the systems filters, then the semipermeable membrane and then filters again.  The result being clean water with improved smell and taste.  Due to this result many chefs and breweries use RO water for cooking and brewing purposes.

To keep your RO and any other water filtration system running smoothly change the filters regularly! Manufactures recommend replacing the pre and post filters every six to twelve months and your membrane every 2 to 5 years (depending how often the other filters get changed). RO filters need to be changed because they are constantly submerged in water, capturing pollutants.  After six months, RO filters can have bacteria growing within the filter media. Once the filters become too full (usually between 6 to 12 months) they can begin leaching the contaminants they collected back into your drinking water. Not only will this ruin your membrane but it can also cause adverse health effects. The key is to change your RO filters before you notice any difference in your water.

For more info on RO systems or to schedule RO filter service visit ro.joefilter.com or call (480) 813-9494.

What You Need to Know About Water Pollution

Water Filters:
Water filters have a very important job in your house. They filter contaminants like arsenic, lead, bacteria, and other substances from the tap water in your home. In addition to that, they also improve the taste and smell of your water.

Types of Contaminants: 
According to the EPA, Pharmaceutical contaminants are prescription and over-the-counter therapeutics or veterinary drugs. Consumer-products are personal and cosmetic such as soaps, fragrances, and cosmetics. EPA states that these types of contaminants are discovered in our water, but at a very low volume. For more information on pharmaceuticals and consumer-product chemicals in your water source visit the EPA .

Reverse Osmosis:
Reverse Osmosis filters can be one of the most effective way to remove contaminants out of your drinking water including pharmaceuticals and consumer-product chemicals. But only if you are doing your part to ensure your RO system has what it needs to remove contaminants out of your water by replacing your filters regularly.

Learn More:
Want to know more about water filters and contaminants like Cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia, or Disinfectants? Check out the CDC Guide to Water Filters.

Why it is Important to Change your Water Filter

The Environmental Protection Agency reports that more than 4 out of 10 Americans use a home water treatment unit.

Refrigerator Water Filters

Water is one of the most crucial elements in order to sustain human life, but is your water safe to drink? The threat of drinking contaminated tap water is monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency. There are strict codes and guidelines the public water system is required to meet  before your tap water fills your glass.  For Americans who invest in home water filtration systems, such as reverse osmosis, they're adding an extra layer of protection, but do they replace their water filters as often as they should?

One of the most common home water filter is located right in your refrigerator. If your refrigerator has an ice machine or a water dispenser, it most likely has a water filter installed. Most manufacturers recommend you should replace your refrigerator's water filter every 6 months. Before you call that bogus, think about the purpose of the refrigerator water filter. The purpose of a refrigerator filter is to remove odors, improve taste, and collect containments that the public water system did not remove.

If you thought changing your refrigerator filter every 6 months could be put off, think again. Your water filter has been working hard for 6 months straight, filtering the water you drink. The filtered containments are held inside that water filter... until it is full.

Replace every 6 months

Once that filter has reach its maximum capacity the containments can start leeching into your drinking water. These contaminants are now at a stronger level in your drinking water then they may have been in the first place.

Water filters help filter contaminants and improve overall water satisfaction, but they do need to be replaced on a schedule in order to function properly. Joe Filter offers home filter replacement service as well as online filter sales to meet all your filter needs. When was the last time you replaced your filters?

Joe Filter: Creating a New Market of In-Home Services

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Joe Filter: Creating a New Market of In-Home Services

A New Home Service Company in Gilbert Arizona Creates a Home Filter Replacement Service

Gilbert, AZ January 2nd, 2014 -

If you have trouble remembering to change all the filters that keep your home’s air and water clean, the new home service offered by Joe Filter might be just what you need.

Joe Filter’s goal is to take the hassle out of home filter replacement. It hopes to achieve this by offering a one of a kind in-home service that allows customers to select from a list of home maintenance services such as air, fridge, and RO filter replacement, as well as detector batteries and light bulb replacement, water softener salt top off, vacuum cleanouts, and BBQ cleanups. People can pick the services they want and the frequency they want them performed without contracts or commitments.

“Nobody wants to spend their free time buying and installing filters and batteries.” says Joe Jackson, owner of Joe Filter. “...between finding the right size and remembering to pick them up, it’s no wonder we are being met with such a positive response.”

Joe Filter had its soft launch in late 2012 and worked with select “beta” customers to perfect their home service while working toward its goals as a national franchise. Joe Filter is currently serving Phoenix, Arizona and surrounding cities.

Joe Filter is a home service company that specializes in home filter replacement. Services include replacement of Air Filters, Refrigerator Filters, Reverse Osmosis Filters (RO), Smoke Detector Batteries, Light Bulbs, Water Softener Salt Top Offs, Vacuum Cleanouts, and BBQ Cleanups.


Contact:
Thomas Tenkely
thomas@joefilter.com
855 N Acacia Dr
Gilbert, AZ 85233
Ph: 1-800-940-0000'

JoeFilter.com

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Joe Knows RO Filters

Do you have a Reverse Osmosis system, commonly referred to as RO system, under your sink? When was the last time you crawled under there and changed out your RO filters? Is your membrane still good or do you need a new one?

Joe Filter offers a replacement service for your RO filters for just about what you would spend on buying the filters yourself! We will replace the micro sediment filters, carbon filters, inline or post filters, and test your water to make sure your membrane is performing as it should, if not we will replace that too.

Joe Filter also offers RO system swap outs. If you have an older system or one that isn't performing like it used to we can swap out your system for a new one. This is also great for bringing some additional savings into your home by replacing a system that has expensive non universal filter sizes with a model that will help you keep some cash in your pocket.


To get a RO System Filter Replacement scheduled give us a call today at 1-800 940-0000