Your activated carbon filter is a powerful tool in keeping your home water free from contaminants. It removes unpleasant odors, tastes, and chlorine, ensuring only clean water enters your house. Carbon filters work by attracting organic compounds to the surface of the filter. The more particles that adhere to the surface area, the cleaner your water will be.
However, like many things in life, carbon filters have an expiration date. If you use the filters past this date, more contaminants will flow through your home. How do you know when it’s time to replace your filters? Here is everything you need to know about the lifespan of carbon filters.
When to Change Your Carbon Filter
You likely had a whole home or under-sink water filtration system installed because you were concerned about the quality of your water. The installation of a filtration system was a great first step, but your responsibilities do not stop here.
If you have installed a carbon filtration system, you will need to replace the filters every 6 to 12 months. After this time, the filter will not work as effectively and may even cause more harm than if you did not have the system installed in the first place. Particles will break off from the dirty filter and flow freely throughout your house.
To help you remember when to change the carbon filter, mark the filter replacement date on your calendar.
How Tap Water Affects the Lifespan of Carbon Filters
While many filtration system manufacturers recommend changing carbon filters every 6 to 12 months, the time between filter replacements really depends on the water quality in your area. Depending on the type and number of contaminants your filter will need to remove from the water supply, the carbon filter may not last as long as the recommended replacement time.
Activated carbon filters absorb particulate matter floating in the water, and the more contaminants they have to take in, the less time the filters will last. Tap water quality varies depending on your location and source of water. For this reason, you should investigate your local water. Determine if it is hard or soft, contains metals, and is chlorinated. Based on this information, you will better know when to replace your activated carbon filters.
Tips for Extending the Life of Your Carbon Filter
If you’re worried that your home’s carbon filters will not last at least six months due to the number of contaminants it must remove, you can do a few things to make them last a little longer. Below, you can find some tips for maintaining your activated carbon filters.
Clean Your Carbon Filters
Some manufacturers have designed carbon filters so that they can be cleaned. If yours have this capability, it’s best to have them cleaned every so often between filter replacements to remove sediments and unclog pores.
Replace Your Pre-Filters and Sediment Filters Often
Many home and under-sink water filtration systems come with pre-filters or sediment filters to reduce the number of contaminants that reach the carbon filters. Pre-filters and sediment filters are often less costly than their carbon counterparts, so it can save you money by replacing these filters and extending the life of the carbon filters. You will know it’s time to replace these filters when the water pressure gauge shows a pressure drop.
Store Your Activated Carbon Filters Properly
Are you about to go on a vacation? Will your home’s water be inactive for a while? If so, make sure you drain the carbon filter and store it in a Ziploc bag.
These filters continue to absorb impurities from the water and air while they are in the filtration house. Putting them in a Ziploc bag can slow this process down.
Getting the Most Out of Your Carbon Filters
Carbon filtration systems do wonders in improving the taste and odor of your home water. They also remove health hazards, ensuring your family can use and drink clean water. To maintain the effectiveness of your filtration system, you will need to change the carbon filters regularly and maintain them between replacements.
We will help you understand everything you need to know about residential water filtration, such as which filter is the best whole house filter for well water. We provide tips and answer the most commonly asked questions, such as, “How long do carbon filters last?” and “How often should you replace humidifier filters?” Keep reading and exploring Arty Water to learn about water filtration.
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