Frequently Asked Questions (Faq) - GE Homespring Operation Manual

K. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
What does the system do?
This system has been tested to significantly physically block
pathogens including bacteria, viruses and cysts from your
water. The pore size on the surface of the ultrafilter membrane
is 0.02 microns nominal.
How does the system work?
Filtering - When a household water fixture is turned on,
the water pressure forces unfiltered water into the prefilter
housing.
1) Larger particles (and chlorine when using the carbon
prefilter) are removed as the water passes from the
outside of the prefilter to the inside.
2) The prefiltered water then passes down into the System
to the membrane chamber.
3) In the membrane chamber, the water travels through
membrane pores from the outside of the hollow fibre
membrane to the inside, leaving behind unwanted
particles such as bacteria, parasites and certain viruses.
4) The filtered water then travels through the household
piping, to the household fixture that is being used.
Automatic Cleaning Cycle - The system uses two methods to
clean its membrane: a) flushing and b) draining. The controller
automatically executes a cleaning sequence consisting of
a number of flushes and drains to clean the membrane. For
systems equipped with an advanced plus controller, system
cleaning may be performed multiple times per day, up to 24
times. For choices of cleaning sequences and intervals, refer
to the Setting the Controller section. Water pressure inside the
dwelling will be significantly reduced during system cleaning.
Flushing - Flushing includes a front-flush and a back-flush.
Systems that are installed in municipal, cistern, or ground
water sources may use the flushing method to control the
fouling rate of the membrane.
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Front-flush - The controller opens the drain solenoid
valve. The water supply line pressure causes an inrush
of water into the System, scouring the surfaces of the
membrane and expelling impurities through the drain.
Back-flush - At the same time, the air bladder inside the
backpulse tank expands rapidly, pushing clean water
out of the membrane surfaces from the hollow cores.
This action dislodges and pushes out impurities trapped
inside the membrane pores. Impurities are then expelled
out of the system through the drain port.
Draining - Systems that are installed in surface water
sources must use the draining method in addition to the
flushing method to control the fouling rate of the membrane.
During draining, the controller closes the inlet solenoid valve
and opens the drain solenoid valve, allowing water to be
completely drained out of the system.
Where should the system be installed?
The system is installed inside the home at the point where
water enters the house so that filtered water is provided from
every tap. In order to allow only indoor water to be treated,
a dedicated line should be installed before the inlet of the
system to all external taps for pool or hot tub makeup valves
and irrigation systems. Reducing the volume of water filtered
will assist in prolonging the life of the system membrane. For
spacing requirements refer to
C . INSTAllATION INSTRUCTIONS.
Does the system require electricity?
In most installations, the system runs on existing household
water pressure provided that a minimum pressure of 30 psi
is met. Unless electricity is required for pump operation, the
system will continue to filter water during a power failure and
controller settings will be saved by battery backup power. The
controller must be plugged into a standard electrical outlet
to provide power to operate the solenoid valves that initiate
flushing of the system. If electrical power is not available, the
system will not conduct automatic cleaning and the rate of
fouling will increase.
Will the system act as a water softener?
The system will not soften water or remove dissolved solids.