How To Replace Carbon Media In Water Filter

When to Change Your Activated Carbon Filter (And Why You Have To)

Dirty Carbon Filter

Ane of the only costs associated with water purifiers (non-electric) is the replacement of the filter cartridges within those purifiers. Changing the activated carbon is an important role of filter maintenance that will extend the life of your filter and ensure you are getting a make clean, toxin-gratis product every fourth dimension.

Why You Have to Change Activated Carbon Filters

To empathise why you demand to change your carbon filter, you'll need to empathize how activated carbon filters work to remove contaminants from water. This is a process called adsorption (not to be dislocated with assimilation). When a sponge absorbs water, the water fills in the holes throughout the sponge. When carbon adsorbs contaminants like chlorine, the molecules, ions or atoms from the chlorine collect like a film on the carbon. That film is chosen an adsorbate and it is the reason why you demand to modify your activated carbon filters regularly.

absorption vs adsorption

Absorption (a) and adsorption (b) mechanism. Blue spheres are solute molecules. Source: File:Absorbimento e adsorbimento.svg, commons.wikimedia.org, Writer: Daniele Pugliesi

There is only and so much space for the adsorbate to collect on the carbon. Once all that space is covered with the pollutant pic, the carbon can no longer practice its job effectively. In fact, if left too long, an activated carbon filter tin can kickoff to release certain pollutants in favor of other ones that are more attracted to the adsorption site. This is why it'south so of import to change your filter in a timely manner.

When to Alter Your Carbon Filter

The question of why you lot have to change a carbon filter has a very articulate answer. The question of when to change the filter is a fiddling more than complicated.

There are several factors to consider when deciding how long a carbon filter will last before it needs to be replaced. These factors include:

The quality of your carbon filter

High-quality, well-made activated carbon filters will last longer than shoddy, inexpensive filters.

Low quality coal filter blocks

A low quality filter lasts much shorter.

The amount of contaminants in your h2o

A filter will need to be inverse with more regularity if it'south filtering water that has a lot of contaminants. The adsorbate will grow faster, requiring a new filter more than often.

contaminants

The volume of water being filtered

A filter used to treat 100 gallons of water each week volition concluding longer than a filter used to treat 500 gallons of water each calendar week.

water used

The manufacturer'southward recommendation

The manufacturer of your activated carbon filter will provide y'all with a guideline for how oftentimes you should change your activated carbon filter. This advice tin provide a adept starting identify, merely your usage habits will determine exactly how long the filter works at optimum operation before it needs to be replaced.

This wide array of factors means that the question of when to change your water filter will have a different answer for well-nigh people and businesses.

Signs Your Activated Carbon Filter Needs to Be Changed

While the immovability of your filter volition depend somewhat on how heavily it is used, in that location are some symptoms that volition point when a change is necessary. If the h2o that comes through the filter starts to accept on an unpleasant smell or flavor, this is a sign that your filter is long by replacement time. Additionally, a chock-full filter might cause a decrease in water force per unit area. With activated carbon filters, you'll never have a visual cue that tells you information technology's fourth dimension for a replacement: the only signals will exist olfactory property, taste and (potentially) pressure. smelly water

That said, it'southward best not to wait until these symptoms appear. Instead, get on a regular schedule for switching out your old filters with new ones and stick to that schedule. If you lot're really unsure about when to change your filter, consult your manufacturer and provide them with a brief overview of your usage habits. They can provide you with advisable guidance.

Is it time to change out your activated carbon filter? Cheque out this mail with directions for installation and replacement of your carbon block.