How to Replace an Aqua-Pure AP910R, AP917HD, or AP917HD-S Water Filter Cartridge
No tools needed – in just 5 minutes you’ll have your whole house water filtration system up and running again!
Since the water entering our house comes from a well, we use an Aqua-Pure AP902 Whole House Sediment Filtration System, which is designed to filter out sediment from well water. The AP902 uses the following AP910R Water Filter Cartridge:
In this post, I’ll show you how to replace the AP910R water filter cartridge. Note that Aqua-Pure makes several different types of whole house water filtration systems, and the steps I’ll show you are applicable for replacing any of these filter cartridges:
- The AP902 filtration system uses an AP910R water filter cartridge
- The AP903 filtration system uses an AP917HD water filter cartridge
- The AP904 filtration system uses an AP917HD-S water filter cartridge
It’s recommended to replace the water filter cartridge yearly. There’s definitely no need to call a plumber to do this, so roll up your sleeves and read on to learn how to replace your water filter!
Aqua-Pure Home Water System Overview
Before I show you how to replace the AP910R water filter cartridge, it’s helpful to see and explain my AP902 home water system plumbing and setup:
Water comes from the pressure tank and enters the filter cartridge from the left. So the shut-off valve that is to the left of the filter cartridge is the upstream shut-off valve. After exiting the filter, water flows to the right and continues to the household faucets. So the shut-off valve that is to the right of the filter cartridge is the downstream shut-off valve.
Note that there is a filter bypass and corresponding bypass shut-off valve. This valve is usually in the closed position so water entering the house is forced to go through the filter. However, when changing the filter cartridge no water will be able to flow to the household faucets. If you did want unfiltered water available for household use while replacing the filter, you can open the filter bypass shut-off valve. (I personally don’t do this – I just tell everyone in the house that there won’t be running water for a few minutes!)
Step 1: Close the upstream shut-off valve
First, you’ll want to prevent water from entering the filter while you’re replacing it. So close the shut-off valve that is upstream of the filter (that’s the one that comes before the filter), like this:
Close the valve by turning it so that it is perpendicular to the water pipe.
Note that you’ll want to leave the downstream shut-off valve open for now. We’ll close it after we depressurize the system in the next step.
Step 2: Open a faucet downstream of the filter to depressurize the system
Home water systems are pressurized in order to move water through pipes from where it enters the house to all of the faucets. Before you remove the existing water filter cartridge, you’ll want to depressurize the water system in your house.
Fortunately, this just means opening a faucet that is downstream of the filter – that’s a faucet that comes after the filter. I head to the kitchen sink or a bathroom sink and turn it on until the water flow stops. Once the water flow stops, there’s no more pressure in the water pipes and you’ve successfully depressurized your water system.
You can then close the faucet.
Step 3: Close the downstream shut-off valve
With the water system depressurized you can now close the shut-off valve that is downstream of the filter (that’s the one that comes after the filter), like this:
Close the valve by turning it so that it is perpendicular to the water pipe.
Step 4: Remove the existing water filter cartridge
The water filter cartridge has a locking latch to prevent the cartridge from disengaging from the filter system. This picture shows where the locking latch is, and also shows the lock engaged:
To disengage the lock, simply slide the locking latch to the right and then lift it up. The lock will disengage, like this:
Note: you might want to place a bucket under the filter cartridge at this point, as a little water will run out after filter cartridge removal (about a half a cup to a cup of water).
With both hands, twist the filter cartridge by turning it 90 degrees to the left and then pull down. The water filter cartridge will easily pop out, leaving just the filter head – looking like this:
Step 5: Insert the new water filter cartridge
Install the new replacement cartridge into the filter head by pushing the filter cartridge up and turning it to the right until the locking latch clicks into place.
Step 6: Open the upstream shut-off valve
With the new filter cartridge installed, you’ll want to fill it with water. Do this by opening the shut-off valve that is upstream of the filter cartridge (the one that comes before the filter), like this:
Open the valve by turning it so that it is parallel to the water pipe.
Be sure to check and confirm you don’t see any water leaking or dripping from the newly inserted filter cartridge.
Step 7: Open the downstream shut-off valve
We’re almost done! Open the shut-off valve that is downstream of the filter cartridge (the one that comes after the filter), like this:
Open the valve by turning it so that it is parallel to the water pipe.
Step 8: Flush the new water filter cartridge
It is recommended to flush at least ten gallons through the new filter cartridge before use. I usually turn on a faucet in the kitchen or a bathroom and let it run for 5-10 minutes. During this time I check to make sure I still don’t see any water leaking or dripping from the newly inserted filter cartridge.
That completes the installation of the new water filter cartridge!
Do you have an Aqua-Pure Whole House Water Filtration System? Did this guide help you replace your water filter cartridge? Let me know in the comments below!
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