Why Changing the Water Filter in your Cold Plunge is Crucial for Maintaining Optimal Performance
Maintaining your ORCA Cold Plunge is essential for both the longevity of your water chiller and the quality of your cold therapy experience. Regularly changing the water filter in your chiller is one of the most crucial maintenance tasks. In this blog post, we'll dive into why this is so important, helping you keep your cold plunge running at its peak performance.
Why You Need to Change Your Filter
The water filter in your ORCA Cold Plunge chiller plays a critical role in ensuring that the water remains clean and the chiller operates efficiently. Over time, the water filter accumulates particles like dirt, dust, hair, skin cells, and organic matter from the water. This buildup can have several negative effects:
• Clogging and Reduced Efficiency: A clogged water filter reduces the flow of water, forcing the chiller to work harder and consume more energy. This can lead to increased wear and tear on the recirculating system, shortening its lifespan.
• Lower Water Quality: Once the filter becomes filled with particulates, the water in your cold plunge will become increasingly less clean & clear. A clogged filter will also impede the flow of water to the water pump causing the cold plunge to operate in an inefficient manner. If you have poor water flow, it is more likely for you to develop a thermal layer around your body which can detract from the overall experience and put stress on the internal components of the water chiller.
• Foul Odor and Bacteria Growth: Stagnant water can create an environment where bacteria and mold thrive. This can lead to unpleasant odors and even potential health hazards.
The Dangers of Poor Flow Rate
If the filter is clogged, it can affect the rate at which the water is flowing within your cold plunge . The ORCA Cold Plunge is specifically designed to have a flow rate of 600 gallons per hour. This flow rate is a critical part of the recirculating system, ensuring the heat exchange, compressor, condenser, and water pump can work efficiently & effectively to cool your water. When the filter is clogged, it can reduce the flow, which can lead to premature wear and tear on the internal components of the cold plunge water chiller.
If the water flow rate is decreased as a result of a dirty filter, water can freeze inside the heat exchange. The heat exchange operates at extremely cold temperatures between -14 and -21 degrees Fahrenheit, and when the water flow is too slow, ice can form inside the heat exchange. Once ice starts to develop inside the heat exchange, the water pump can't push water through ice which puts back pressure on the water pump. This can cause the water pump to fail prematurely, and if the water pump isn’t operating, water will continue to freeze inside the heat exchange until it forms a solid block of ice.
As the ice forms, it expands, which can cause the heat exchange to crack. Once this happens, your water chiller will no longer function properly, leading to costly repairs or a complete replacement. This is why it’s so important to stay on top of your water filter changes in order maintain the proper rate of water flow and prevent ice from forming inside the chiller.
Conclusion
Changing the water filter in your cold plunge regularly is essential for maintaining the performance of your chiller and ensuring the water stays clean and clear. A dirty filter can drastically reduce water flow, potentially causing damage to the heat exchange and water pump. By replacing your water filter every 2 weeks, your ice bath will operate at its peak efficiency, providing on-demand, clean, clear, and most importantly, cold water.
