 What does a filter do?
A filter is used to remove suspended material, silt, sand, grit, turbidity, etc. from your drinking water. A filter is rated by the size of the particles that are removed. Generally, microns are the units used. The human eye can discern particles in water of about 50 microns. The filter can be a media based filter; e.g. sand filter, multi-media, greensand, or it can be a cartridge filter. Depending upon the cartridge or media, particles as small as 5 microns can easily be removed Using an Ultrafiltration (UF) system can remove down to 0.025 micron! For reference, a human blood cell is 7 microns in diameter.
An appropriate filter is recommended for virtually all Homestead Systems to help protect the water treatment equipment, ice makers, dishwashers, and other water using appliances from physical damage from silt, sand, or metal chips that may be in your water.
How does a filter work?
Aa the name implies, a filter can be thought of as a sieve. Is removes particles, suspended material, based on size. The filter media must be inert so it does not contaminate your water. Cartridge filters are made of inert polymers like polypropylene. Types of filter media are specially screened sand, greensand and other naturally occurring minerals.
How do I know if I need a filter?
Virtually any water supply will benefit from cartridge filter. A prefilter is inexpensive insurance against damage to downstream equipment and appliances that use water. Depending upon your inlet water quality, a media based filter, sand, multi-media, etc. followed by a cartridge filter will be the most cost-effective solution.
Any special things I should know about a Homestead System filter?
While there are numerous companies promoting cartridge only solutions whole house water treatment, for virtually any water problem, Homestead System filters are only used as protection devices for the water treatment equipment. We do not take this approach because cartridges are disposed of after use.
A cartridge only, whole house solution, gets very expensive and generates landfill waste. In the case of a media filter, a cartridge may only have a few ounces of media, whereas a Homestead System can have 50 - 200 lbs of filtration media.
Homestead System recommends our dual gradient density cartridge as a prefilter because the cartridge will last longer. Depending upon the cartridge, the outside of the cartridge is 50-75 microns and the inside is between 5-20 microns.
Depending upon your water quality, every 3 months to one year, your Homestead System dealer will need to change the cartridge filter in your system. |
