From the time you initially use it, activated carbon water filters last about 2 and 6 months. Some activated carbon filters, such as those used in whole-house systems or reverse osmosis, have more added filters for protection. It can last up to 12 months.
Hold the middle of the carbon filter up to your nose (within 1-3cm) and smell the carbon filter. If you smell a sour, acidic or chemical smell, then this means your carbon filter is saturated and should be replaced.
Activated carbon (AC) is one of the most widely used media for water filtration. It's effective at removing chlorine taste and odor, and it's recognized as being safe. However, most activated carbon filters have an indicated lifespan of about 4-6 months, after which they need to be replaced.
Signs Your Activated Carbon Filter Needs to Be Changed
If the water that comes through the filter starts to take on an unpleasant smell or flavor, this is a sign that your filter is long past replacement time. Additionally, a clogged filter might cause a decrease in water pressure.
A carbon filter should be replaced every 12 months. All of our units have a cartridge life expectancy of at least 12 months under what would be considered normal operating conditions, however this may fluctuate due to odour level concentrations.
What Is The Average Life Expectancy Of a Carbon Filter? Carbon filters should be replaced after 18-24 months of continuous (24/7) usage. Although this may vary depending on the company product, it has been shown that carbon filters can last for up to four years.
Disadvantages of Activated Carbon Filtration
Short lifespan: An activated carbon filter has a maximum filter capacity (the maximum amount of contaminants that can be trapped in the media until the media is eventually fully clogged).
Carbon filtered water is healthier than unfiltered tap water because it has removed metals, chlorine and compounds that can cause certain health issues. Carbon filters also tend to be inexpensive to purchase, install and maintain compared to more complex water purification systems.
Carbon captures some mold spores, so it's somewhat helpful. But it's less reliable as means of mold prevention unless it's blended with KDF — a bacteriostatic filtration media that controls the growth of bacteria, algae and fungi within your water filter.
Carbon water filters offer an effective and affordable way to improve your water quality. With benefits that range from removing harmful contaminants to improving taste, these systems may be the water solution you have been searching for.
How often should you change your carbon filter? Change your carbon filter every six months to one year. Never use a carbon filter for longer than one year. Waiting to change the filter could make your water worse than it was before treating it.
Granular activated carbon filters are made using carbon that has been ground up and is held together loosely inside a cartridge or other container. On the other hand, carbon block filters are made by grinding activated carbon into a fine powder.
However, other chemicals, like iron and nitrate, are not attracted to the carbon and are not removed and another type of filter, such as reverse osmosis (RO) or green sand may be needed. RO filters will also remove certain organic chemicals.
Some filters require monthly maintenance or filter replacement monthly or once every few months. Filter replacement can cost around $20 per filter.
Can you regenerate/reactivate the carbon by Heating it? Yes if you can heat it to 800 – 1000 degrees Celsius in an Oxygen free environment. This will burn off contaminants and reactivate the carbon. But this isn't possible in most domestic settings - a microwave won't do it.
The Best Water Filters
We found the iSpring RCC7 is the best under-sink option for most people. It scored at the top for contaminant removal and taste and is relatively inexpensive to operate. Our favorite pitcher is the ZeroWater 10-Cup 5-Stage Pitcher. It scored well for both taste and contaminant removal.
An increase in illnesses, especially gastrointestinal discomfort, can be a sign that your water filter is not adequately removing harmful pathogens from your water. Drinking contaminated water can lead to a range of health issues, from minor stomach upsets to serious bacterial infections.
The most likely effect of exposure to carbon black is lung disease. Inhaling carbon black particles can irritate the lungs and cause coughing. Carbon black can also irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. When people are exposed to high levels of carbon black over many years, the particles may lodge deep in their lungs.
Carbon filters, for the most part, are pretty simple systems that do a great job at capturing chemical impurities in water. Reverse osmosis not only helps capture those same impurities but heavy, toxic metals, too. Both types of water softeners are great for home use, but not every system is made for everyone.
EWG has named reverse osmosis as the most effective filtration system. These systems can also be installed under specific sinks or for a whole house. Best for: Arsenic, fluoride, hexavalent chromium, nitrates, and perchlorate.
If you have well water that you treat with chlorine, an activated carbon filter will help you remove it once it has done its job. Taste-improving: Activated carbon filters are effective at removing compounds that create bad tastes and odors from tap water, resulting in better-tasting water.
A clog can form when a carbon filter isn't routinely cleaned and maintained. A clogged carbon filter will fail to adequately trap contaminants. The clog can cause a change in the taste of water.
Factors Affecting Carbon Filter Longevity
Typically, a carbon air filter lasts between three to six months. However, this duration can vary significantly depending on these factors.