There’s a high probability that the last time you drank filtered water, it was filtered with carbon and/or sediment filtration. These two water filters treat water and improve its quality, yet they have a couple of differences. It can get confusing trying to find which one of these water filters is the right fit for your home when you can’t tell carbon and sediment filters apart.
At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air, we have over 15 years of experience installing and servicing sediment and carbon filters. We’ve helped homeowners across Los Angeles and the surrounding areas understand the difference between these two water filters so that they can select a suitable water filter for their houses.
To help you on your journey to understanding the differences between carbon filters and sediment filters, we’re going to break down and compare them in the following categories.
- Effectiveness
- Technology
- Costs
- Maintenance
By the end of this article, you will understand how these water filters compare with one another so that you can decide whether one or both of these filters are the right decision for your home.
Let’s jump right in.
What’s the Difference Between Carbon and Sediment Filters?
The biggest difference between carbon and sediment filters is how they treat water. Although both will provide filtered water, sediment and carbon filtration serve different functions.
Carbon filtration traps volatile organic compounds that can affect the smell and taste of water. Some of the impurities that carbon filters remove include,
- Chlorine
- Chloramine
- Lithium
- Herbicides
- Pesticides
- Phosphate
On the other hand, sediment filters are designed to prevent dissolved physical particles such as the following from floating in the water.
- Dirt
- Clay
- Sand
- Soil
- Other physical contaminants
Carbon and sediment filters can be installed simultaneously so your home’s water is free of the contaminants listed above. So, now you’re aware of which contaminants these water filters tackle, but how effective are they at it?
Effectiveness
When it comes to filtration, carbon and sediment filters are highly effective at removing contaminants. Carbon filtration can remove up to 99% of organic compounds contaminating water. In comparison, sediment filters have micron ratings that determine their effectiveness at removing contaminants to a specific size.
One micron equals 0.000039 of an inch, and the micron ratings range from 5, 10, 25, and 50. A sediment filter will trap any debris larger than the indicated micron rating. Many of the physical contaminants found in water are too small to be visible, yet sediment filters prevent these microscopic impurities from flowing into the water.
Unfiltered water enters these two water filters, and on the other end, filtered water comes out. But, it’s what happens inside where these two filters differ. The technical designs of the carbon and sediment filters highlight how they treat water differently.
Technology
Sediment filters and carbon filters treat water differently due to their technical design. Both water filters are cylinder-shaped with replaceable cartridges, but their inner structure differs.
The inside of a sediment filter is designed to carry water to the bottom, where it’s pushed against a surface media with pores (the micron rating determines the size of the pores). Water is able to enter the pores, but any dissolved physical impurities bigger than the micron rating will not be able to enter. The filtered water then flows out of the sediment filter.
Carbon filtration is made with activated carbon created from raw organic materials such as coal or coconut shells. As unfiltered water enters the carbon filter, organic compounds become attracted to the activated carbon and stick to it while the filtered water flows out of the filter. The interior layout of the carbon filter is covered in activated carbon, where the contaminants are attracted.
Carbon and sediment filters treat water in seconds. You’ll have filtered water immediately whether you have a whole-house or point-of-use filtration system.
Whole-house water filtration will always cost more than an under-the-sink water filter. But overall, the costs for carbon and sediment filtration tend to overlap.
Costs
When it comes to costs, sediment filters and carbon filters are very similar. The final price depends on various factors such as installation fees, any additional required plumbing work, and whether the filtration is for a single fixture or an entire home.
Single-use carbon or sediment filters range from water pitchers with built-in filters to kitchen sink filtration systems. These can go anywhere from $50 to a couple hundred dollars.
Whole-house carbon and sediment filtration systems can cost a couple of hundred dollars to over $3,000. It is recommended to have a technician install a whole-house carbon or sediment filter.
Once installed, these systems will require some maintenance.
Maintenance
Sediment and carbon filtration systems will require maintenance, usually in the form of filter cartridge replacement. These water filters will lose their effectiveness with a clogged filter cartridge.
The filters should be replaced monthly, every three months, six months, or yearly depending on the size of the sediment and carbon filter. With routine maintenance, these water filters can last up to 10 years.
Is Carbon or Sediment Filtration Right for Me?
Carbon and sediment filters are both ideal choices for filtered water. Now that you know the difference between these two filters, you can confidently decide if they’re a qualified water filtration option for your home. Whether you select one or both of these filtration systems for your home, you’ll have better-quality water at your disposal.
Since 2007, we’ve helped homeowners understand the differences between the various water filters available so they can feel empowered when deciding to install a filter for their homes. At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air, we have seen all the pros and cons of carbon filters and sediment filters.
If you have any more questions regarding the differences between carbon and sediment filtration, contact us using the buttons below or schedule an appointment through our water filtration scheduler.
If you’re still researching different water filtration systems, read up on water treatment costs to see which filter best fits your budget.
