1. United States
  2. Filtrete Home Filtration Products
  3. Home Tips
  4. 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.

    A carbon filter can help reduce household odors and trap airborne particles, such as smog, pet dander, mold, mildew and more. Carbon filters are good options for people who smoke, live with smokers or own pets.

    • 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.)

    • 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.

    • 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

Follow Us
Filtrete is a trademark of 3M.