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Activated Carbon Filters

Activated carbon filters are usually chosen to eliminate bad odor and taste and to remove residual chlorine of treated water. These carbon filters absorb impurities while passing the water through a carbon cartridge. As far as efficiency is concerned in terms of contaminants removal, carbon water filters don't remove most inorganic metals, chemicals, nitrates and microorganisms. To handle these contaminants from entering your water supply, one may need to add a UV sterilizer and/or reverse osmosis filter to the water treatment system.

However, carbon water filters are very efficient in the process of removing potentially hazardous contaminants such as dissolved organic chemicals and radon gas. If the treated water supply has a minor level of these contaminants, this carbon filtration system can effectively be used as a whole-house filtration unit. However, in severe events where the contaminants level is high, such filters would not be the right solution for water purification. In these cases, such as when contamination cannot be handled with carbon filters, it might be safest to get an alternative water supply as the most cost effective system.

When using a carbon water filter, caution is needed to remember that they periodically need replacement. With continued un-replaced usage, once the filter gets saturated with contaminants, it might lose its effectiveness and would not treat the water. This can further result in contaminants to be flushed into the treated water. This is rather unhealthy and shall be avoided. All these carbon filters have a rated life by which they should be used, and discarded afterwards. Therefore, prior to purchasing the unit, information such as if the carbon filter can be replaced, the replacement frequency, where new replacements may be obtained and the cost should be obtained from the water treatment dealer. This factor may influence your decision on which model and system shall be selected.

The material being used in an activated carbon filter must be taken into consideration that with all its benefits it still provides a growth surface for certain bacteria. Therefore, if the carbon filter is not being used for more than five days, it needs to be cleaned. This can be done simply by running chlorinated water through the filter for at least 30 seconds prior to using for consumption.

Since various carbon filtering units use carbon cartridges with a porous surface, it allows the carbon cartridge to absorb a variety of substances, including THMs, odors and bad tastes. The effectiveness of a carbon filter depends on the amount of carbon that is within the unit in addition to how long the water stays in the unit while being treated. As a norm, the longer the water is in contact within the filter medium, the more time is available for the carbon to remove water impurities. Therefore, filters that come packed with a larger volume of charcoal tend to remove more organic material at the beginning of the water filter cartridge life. However, the performance of these high volume carbon filters tends to decrease over time than is the case for those cartridges with a smaller amount of charcoal.

• A by-pass water filter may be installed in any one of the two locations. The first is beneath the sink where it gets attached to a water line leading to a separate faucet at the kitchen sink. The other is at the water line right where enters the premises. When installed at the entrance, it also requires installation of a shut off valve ahead of the filter in order for the treated water to be shut off when replacing the water filter cartridge. Many brands provide these type of filters, and whirlpool water filters include whole house, under sink, and countertop carbon water filters.

• A stationary water filter is installed under the sing connected to the cold water line. All cold water flowing through the sink pipe would then be filtered.
• carbon filters attach to a faucet after its aerator is removed.

• There are basically two designs of carbon filters. One uses a by-pass valve which filters water for drinking and cooking. The other has no by-pass valve and filters all water flowing through the faucet. Additionally there are some unit that are not permanently attached to the faucet at all. These models are placed on the counter and are known as counter top units and have a hose running from the faucet to a carbon filter.

• Then there are portable water filters. These are used to remove contaminants from water on boats, on recreational vehicles or at campsites. In this case, however, one needs to ensure that the water started with to treat, is suitable for drinking (aka potable water). Water which is poured through the filter flows into a holding container, where it is collected and consumed. This is one of the simplest forms of all carbon water filters. Some models are also powered with a booster pump and use a 115-volt current; while others can be used with 12-volt adaptor lines or batteries. The rate of water filtration in the units that are powered is much higher when compared to the non-powered water filters. Some of those operating on a 12-volt battery can filter up to 1-1/4 gallons (4.7 liters) in less than three minutes.

• Specialty-type water filtering devices such as scale and ice maker water filters are connected to the cold water supply line in appliances. Ice maker water filters are attached to the cold water line in refrigerators or standard ice makers. Scale filters are used to remove hard minerals and are connected to the supply line of humidifiers and water heaters.