The basic components of a water filtering system includes cartridges, faucets, flow chambers (tubes or pipes), and control valves. Water filters require maintenance, most commonly the replacement of the filter cartridges. Water filter cartridges have a limited life that ranges from six months to several years. Therefore, it is essential that water filters cartridges be replaced on scheduled intervals for optimum performance. If the filters are not replaced promptly, then the whole filtration process is compromised. Simply said, if you don’t replace your filter on time, you will get unfiltered water.

The two most common types of water filters used are activated carbon and reverse osmosis. These are technologies that are very effective at filtering out many water contaminants such as Arsenic, Chlorine, Hydrogen Sulfide, Nitrates, Sediment, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), heavy metals and many more. All of these chemicals are harmful to your health. Additionally, activated carbon and reverse osmosis water filters remove bad odors and tastes, as well as bacteria and viruses. Basically, these water filters provide you with the purest and safest water for you to enjoy.

Here is a brief explanation to why water filter cartridges have limited life and must be replaced. Activated carbon is a special substance that has a great ability to absorb many impurities. Some common sources of activated carbon include wood, charcoal and coconut shells. Activated Carbon is a very porous material with a lot of empty space for other particles. Activated carbon is a water filtering material that attracts many harmful particles as they flow through. With time, the activated carbon becomes full of water contaminants, and there is simply no more space left. This is the point where the water filter cartridge must be replaced. The typical lifetime of an activated carbon filter cartridge is between 6 months to a year.

Reverse Osmosis process filters out the largest range of water impurities. Reverse Osmosis water filters use two types of filtering media known as Cellulose Triacetate (CTA) and Thin Film Composite (TFC.) Both of these membranes filter water by rejecting contaminants while allowing water to flow through. Reverse Osmosis filtering membranes reject even the tiniest particles, that are less than 0.5 micron in size. Reverse Osmosis Filtering membranes have a longer lifetime (1-4 years) than activated carbon filters.

Replacement cartridges are usually designed for specific water filters. It is recommended that you replace water filter cartridges with the same exact ones used by your water filter. If you can’t find the exact same water filter cartridge, look for something very similar, when it comes to size, material, and types of water contaminants removed. However, there are many replacement cartridges that fit and work well with different water filters. So let’s review some great replacement cartridges for water filters.

You can buy a Paragon Countertop Replacement cartridge for $30.95. This replacement cartridge is used by a Paragon Counter Top Water Filter Chrome P3200CA. Additionally, the cartridge is compatible with Paragon countertop and undersink filter series 2900, 3000, 3200 and 4000. The filter cartridge removes Lead, Mercury, Cryptospridium, Giardia , VOCs, MTBEs, THMs, Chloramines.

You can buy a standard 10"x2.5" 5-micron Carbon Block filter cartridge for only $14.95. This replacement filter cartridge works with a variety of water filter models. This standard filter cartridge removes sediment, chlorine, bad taste and odor, and organic chemicals.

 

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