Question: What is the performance difference between a carbon block filter and a sediment filter?

Answer: Depending on the contaminants in your water, the difference could be like night and day. Sediment filters are designed to take out dirt particles. Sediment filters do not take out chemicals etc. The purpose of a sediment filter in a dual whole house is for the sediment to get the larger particles out so the carbon block filter can do its work. Activated carbon has an electro-positive charge added which results in this type of carbon attracting more chemicals and impurities. As the water passes through the positively charged carbon, the contaminants with their negative ions, are attracted to the carbon granules and thus extracted from the water. The block of carbon strains out sediment, dirt, bacteria, microscopic worms, algae, asbestos and cryptosporidium. With just water pressure, this compacted solid carbon block is designed to filter sub micron size particles. This microstraining of the water will provide the cleanest and clearest drinking water available.

Activated carbon bonds to thousands of known chemicals. As water is forced through this solid block of carbon, it is forced to slow its flow speed and thereby increase the contact time with the carbon. This slowing of the flow allows the carbon bonding to take place and remove chemical pollutants like toxins, THM’s, chlorine, pesticides, bad tastes, odors, etc. As you can tell, the responsibilities of the two filters is quite different. You need to make the choice based on what you need and want to get out of your water.

Differences between a Carbon Block and a GAC

Solid Carbon Block Filters are exceptionally uniform and do not channel or bypass as conventional granular activated carbon (GAC) filters are known to do. Because of the density of the solid carbon block, there is no room for bacteria to grow so this type of filter does not become an incubator for bacteria as GAC filter is known to be.