Water & Air – Filter Systems News

It has long been known that ultraviolet (UV) light used at sufficiently short wavelengths can break down microorganisms and render them sterile and unable to reproduce. It is a fact that has contributed to the widespread use of UV technology over the years for germicidal irradiation and sterilization applications.
One area where UV light-based technologies are being used increasingly is for residential air purification purposes. The air circulating inside a residential heating and cooling system can be concentrated with dangerous contaminants, allergens and even disease-carrying bacteria including those associated with the flu and H1N1. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air is 100 times more polluted than the air outside.
A UV Air Treatment System can greatly reduce this pollution and help combat the flu, H1NI and other threats by preventing viruses, bacteria, mold spores and other allergens from growing and circulating within a Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. Ultraviolet irradiation can help sterilize up to 99.9% of mold and fungal spores on a HVAC system’s cooling coils and close to 75% of airborne bacteria.
A UV air treatment system works primarily by causing photochemical damage within a microorganism that renders them sterile and unable to reproduce. This effectively neutralizes the threat of their being able to multiply and thereby can be very effective in combating diseases such as H1N1 and the flu. Ultraviolet radiation techniques have been used for years to disinfect medical equipment and are considered to be a widely applicable means of air disinfection as well.
Some UV air treatment systems are standalone units that use a fan to force air to move past a shielded UV lamp. But most UV air treatment units are installed directly inside forced air systems where UV generating lamps sterilize the air moving through it. Such UV air purification systems are typically mounted downstream of the air conditioner cooling coils as well as in the return air ducts, both of which are breeding grounds for mold and other bacteria.
A UV light installed inside the main heating and cooling system is ideal because on average air is circulated between 75 to 150 times through a HVAC system daily. Since UV light cannot pass through metal or glass, a UV air treatment system installed inside a HVAC system also poses little risk of direct exposure to the eyes or the skin.
Filters Fast filter experts are ready to answer any questions you have on installing UV systems.

Filters Fast is considering adding a new auto ship program for all of our filter lines and wanted to get feedback from consumers prior to implementing the system. Any comments on how you would like a filter auto charge/ship feature to work? Our thoughts are to have a subscription page on your account that you can log into and change your ship frequency, update your billing information as well as your shipping information, you could cancel your subscription and add products as well. The goal is to take one item off of your to do list for good. Any features that you would like to see that would make this feature more useful and more likely to be used by most customers?

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Question:
I have an Amana Model #DRS2660BC. Do you know if there is a filter that removes flouride that will fit my fridge?
Answer:
There is no refrigerator water filter available that will remove flouride. The most common filtration system for flouride removal is a reverse osmosis water filter system. We do have a reverse osmosis system for review. It is the APRO5500.

Question:
I have a bad rust problem will my well water,I understand that there is a magnetic system that will remove the rust and it also back flushes itself and is set on a timer to do this
Answer:
We do not recommend any type of magnetic system as it may remove some rust but can’t be very effective. The best solution for rust and sediment is a whole house water filter system with a high micron level sediment filter. Whole house water filter systems are affordable and can be purchased for the size home that you have. If you have 1-2 bathrooms, you can use a small standard size system, 3-4 and you might want to use the standard large size system and if you use a lot of water, you will want to look at the 10″ whole house water filter systems. You can view a full list of whole house systems with detailed specs on Filters Fast whole house water systems link. Please let us know if you need any further assistance in selecting the correct system and filter for your needs.

Original Comment from Blog User
I HAVE A BORRED WELL. I USE A WHOLE HOUSE FILTER. TODAY WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE MY FILTER ONE SIDE OF IT HAD A GREEN GROWTH ON IT. IT WAS ON THE SIDE THAT FACED THE DOOR OF MY WELL ROOM. THE DOOR WAS LEFT OPEN WHICH HARDLY EVER HAPPENS. WHAT IS THIS?
Answer:
What you have on your filter is Algae. Is there any sunlight reaching into the room? Normally sunlight will cause Algae growth. Now, how do you clean it? First discard the old filter. Before placing a new filter into the housing, clean the inside of the housing well with a water and bleach solution. Then replace the filter. After replacing the filter, run your water through a shower or something that uses a lot of water for 5-10 minutes to ensure that the bleach solution has passed through your pipes and your water is safe to drink.

Question: bought a house with a 7 filter system…only label says springhouse and ecotech….what is this? where do i get replacement cartridges for it….does it also have to have a water softener inline with it? what is the electric plug on one of the cartridges do??
Answer:
We found the Users Manual for the system that is installed in your home and it can be found at http://www.ecoquestintl.com/ownersmanuals_web/SpringHouseOM.pdf.
The plug appears to be for Ultra-Violet UV water filtration. UV Filtration is used to kill any bacteria present in water. They do not seem to make any claims to the effectivness of their system on bacteria and looking at the diagram of the the filter flow, it looks like the UV system may have some flaws. UV light can be blocked by larger particles in water. Since the filtration appears to have a 20 micron filter prior to the UV stage, any particles under 20 microns can enter the UV chamber and effectively protect bacteria by being between the UV light source and the bacteria. It seems like a better design would have the 1 micron carbon block filter prior to the UV chamber to remove all particles greater than 1 micron in size which would minimize the shadowing effect. Do not use this filter system with water that has been deemed unsafe for consumption. This system does not have a softener built in. If you have hard water, then you would need a seperate water softener to solve that problem. Replacement cartridges can be found from the manufacturer. Depening on the size of the cartridge, you may be able to use any brand of filter that meet the specifications.

I have a reverse osmosis system GXRM10G. Family of 2. How often should I change the postfilter sump and prefilter sump and should I change the RO cartridge at the same time?
Most Revers Osmosis Filter Systems require pre and post filter changes at 6 month intervals to maintain peak performance. The membrane should be changed every 2 years or if you notice a significant drop in water passing through the reverse osmosis system. In your case the GXRM10G uses the FX12P pre and post filters which should be changed every 6 months and the fx12m membrane which should be changed every 2 years. The O-rings should be changed every other filter change on the pre and post filters and every change on the membrane.

Most people are not aware that after you change your refrigerator water filter, there are two additional steps that should be taken to properly complete the water filter change.

Step 1: Reset your refrigerator water filter change light

Most new refrigerators now come equipped with an indicator light that notifies you when it is time to change your water filter. This light does not automatically reset when you change your water filter and the light must be manually reset.

Here is a list of refrigerator manufacturers and how to reset the filter change indicator light:

Amana- Press and hold the Auto and Dispenser Lock buttons until the water filter status indicator light flashes.
Frigidaire- Press and Hold the Reset Button Until the Indicator Light Flashes.
GE General Electric- Press and Hold the Reset Button for around 8 Seconds.
HotPoint- Press and Hold the Reset Button for around 8 Seconds.
Jenn-Air- Press and Hold The Light and Lock Buttons until the Water Filter light flashes.
Kitchen Aid- Press and Release the Light Button 5 times Quickly.
Maytag- Press and Hold The Light and Lock Buttons until the Water Filter light flashes.
Samsung- Press and Hold the Ice Type and Child Lock Buttons at the same time for 3 seconds.
Whirlpool- Press and Release the Light Button 5 times Quickly.

Step 2: Flush a couple of gallons of water through your new filter

Since refrigerator water filters are made of carbon, some carbon residue is present in the first gallon or two of water. This will not harm you but may leave a bitter taste and residue in your water. If you continue to have these problems after flushing a couple of gallons through the filter, it is possible that you have a defective water filter.

Once these two steps are completed, you are all set to enjoy great tasting ice and water through your refrigerator. If you don’t see your manufacturer listed or the instructions don’t work for your model please post a comment with your make and model number so that we can provide exact instructions for your model.

Another Article we wrote on Comparing Refrigerator Filter Systems.

Benefits of refrigerator water filters.