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How Does a Carbon Filter Work?

How a Carbon Filter Works

Here’s what you need to know about this odor- and gas-eliminating
filtration method.

Cooking, pets, smoke, mildew and cleaning products may not seem to be related, but
they all have something in common: the ability to stink up our homes, and potentially
contaminate the air we breathe.1

If you’re struggling to get rid of strong odors, an activated carbon air filter may be the
way to go. Here’s what you need to know about this unique air filtration method.

What is a carbon filter?

Made of activated carbon, also called activated charcoal, carbon air filters can help trap
odors. For example, Filtrete™ Air Purifier filters with Odor Defense feature an active
carbon filter layer for 15x odor reduction power.* If your air purifier filter does not have
this capability built-in, you can add the optional Filtrete™ Odor Defense Carbon Pre-
Filter, which lasts up to six months.

For HVAC systems, consider a Filtrete™ Odor Reduction Filter and remember to
change it regularly. (That’s at least every three months for 1” filters.)

How do carbon filters

work?
 Carbon filters trap odors through a
process called adsorption, which
occurs when molecules attach to the
outside of a surface, rather than
being soaked into it. The more
porous the activated carbon, the
better, as this will increase the
amount of surface space available
for contaminants to latch onto when
air passes through the filter.

How can an activated carbon filter help you breathe

easier?
In addition to reducing odors caused by pets, cooking and mildew, each of our carbon
HVAC and air purifier filters—as well as our cut to fit pre-filters for air purifiers—
capture airborne particles such as dust, pet dander and more. They also help maintain
sufficient airflow to your HVAC system and air purifier devices.

Who should use an activated carbon air filter in their

home?
Anyone can benefit from using an activated carbon filter in their home, but there are
some homeowners who might find them particularly helpful, including smokers or those
who live with smokers, people whose homes have damp or musty basements and pet
owners. Even if you only use an activated carbon air filter for a short period of time—
such as during a wildfire disaster or building project—you’re sure to notice the
difference odor filtration can make.

*Compared to ordinary carbon filter organic vapor capacity of other national retail air
purifier filter brands.

Sources:
1. Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality

Related Reads

The Best Filtrete™ Air Filters for How to Help Protect Pets During
Capturing Allergens an Outdoor Air Quality Alert

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