If the purpose of your whole house water filter is to remove the Chlorine, bad taste and odor than any standard carbon filter should do the trick. Of course there are some exceptions to that rule – Hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell), Iron, and a few other contaminants may need some special filtration. For more information on special media, please contact your water specialist.

There are 3 main types of filtration systems – cartridge system, backwashing media tanks and non-backwashing media tank systems.

1. Cartridge systems

Cartridge systems usually come in 10″ or 20″ canister and do not require any type of drain or electrical outlet. They are sometimes referred to as Big Blue or Big Boy systems.

• Pros
  They do not require a lot of space, anybody can change the filter, and they are the simpilist to install. Changing filters can is quite easy and only takes a few minutes. The maintenance on the parts is very little. Almost always, the only thing that needs to be done is the change the filters.
• Cons
  They have the lowest flow rates, can clog up quickly and sometimes have the highest pressure drops. Upflow cartridges are pron to the channeling water – this is where water flows and creates certain favorable paths for it to flow through and this makes under utilizes the rest of the cartridge. For effective removal of contaminants, most radial carbon block filters have a flow rate of 4-7 GPM. The typical pressure drop is roughly 4 PSI, which is not much. However, if you have many filters in series than you may need all the pressure you can get.

2. Backwashing media tank systems

Backwashing systems use a control valve to direct the backwashing. These require an electrical and drain outlet of some sort. Unlike cartridge systems, backwashing systems require a media tank which is 4-5 feet in height and hold much more media than cartridges.

• Pros
  It contains much more media so there will be less media changes, you can obtain higher flow rates without losing effectiency, and remove some sediment out of the system – making it not clog up so fast. The backwashing helps refluff the bed so the media will not create channels in the media bed.
• Cons
  Changing the media can be a challenge if you are doing it yourself – the media tank is usually quite heavy and removing the media will take some time (it may be easier to call a professional to save some time). The valve may require some maintence over time. Backwashing can waste anywhere from 30-80 gallons. Also, some cities are now requiring that you get a permit before installing a drain line if one does not exist.

3. Non-Backwashing media tank

Non-backwashing systems do not have a control valve and do not require a drain or electrical outlet but use a media tank.

• Pros
  Media tanks can hold more than a cartridge so you can get higher flow rates and lower pressure drops than cartridge systems. There is no control valve so maintenance will be minimal – the only thing required is a filter change every few years. Installation will be simple.
• Cons
  Non-backwashing systems are pron to channeling so the whole filter media cannot be used because the media bed cannot be refluffed. Sediment cannot leave the system if it is trapped within the bed. Changing the media will also be difficult due to its size.

When it comes to size, the bigger the unit – the more flow it can handle for the home.

1. Cartridges

• Smaller homes can use a 20″ standard or slim line filter. 20″ Std. filters are meant to handle flow rates of up to 2 GPM with a 95% efficiency. It is recommended to use either a 10″ or 20″ Big Blue system for medium to large homes when possible. Big Blue systems offer the best service flow without the restriction. NOTE: Do not use 10″ standard filters as a whole house filter. 10″ Std. filters can only filter 1GPM and will not filter efficiently.

2. Backwashing Media Tank Systems

• Flow rates are dependent on the type of control valve. Fleck 5600 systems are the most reliable and most standard system there is. The downside to a Fleck system is that their valves are ported 3/4″. GE systems are ported 1″.
• Non-Softeners – based on Fleck 5600
  Most systems are based on cubic foot (CF). Small homes and can easily use a 0.75 CF filters with a flow rate of 4 GPM. Medium homes use a 1.0 CF with a flow rate of 5 GPM. Larger homes will be satisfied with a 1.5 CF system with a 6 GPM flow rate. It never hurts to use a larger system for a smaller home.
• Softeners
  The same rule applies as above but the flow rates are slightly higher.

3. Non-backwashing Media Tank Systems

• A very standard size to get is a 1 CF system. Smaller homes may use a 0.75 CF system and larger homes may use the 1.5 CF system. Flow rates should be slightly higher for non-backwashing systems when compared to backwashing systems because of the valves may be ported differently.

After you have chosen your system, start enjoying your filtered water. If you ever have questions or concerns, contact us to help you choose your system.

Tai Pham
Water Specialist CW-I

IsoPure Water
515 N. Fairview St.
Santa Ana, CA 92703
714.541.6600 office
www.isopurewater.com
tai@isopurewater.com