| Preset | Modeled ΔP | Confidence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| No filter / validation only | 0–0 psi @ 10 GPM planning range | A | Not a recommendation for sanitation; use only to understand hydraulic effect. |
| 10 in Big Blue + 5 micron sediment cartridge | 0.8–2.0 psi @ 10 GPM planning range | B+ | Range combines published low housing loss with cartridge initial pressure-drop allowance. |
| Standard 10 in whole-house filter | 1.0–2.5 psi @ 10 GPM planning range | B- | Generic range for planning. Replace with measured/manufacturer curve if your exact filter is known. |
| 20 in Big Blue high-flow sediment | 0.6–1.5 psi @ 10 GPM planning range | B | Planning range for a larger housing/cartridge assembly. |
| Dual-stage sediment + carbon | 1.8–4.0 psi @ 10 GPM planning range | C+ | Intentionally conservative because cartridge combinations vary widely. |
| Unknown / not listed | 1.5–4.0 psi @ 10 GPM planning range | C | Use a conservative range until a pressure-drop curve or measurement is available. |
How to use the filter presets
The presets are not product endorsements. They give the hydraulic engine a bounded pressure-loss range so you can see how filtration changes the pump operating point. If your exact housing and cartridge have a manufacturer pressure-drop curve, use that evidence in preference to a generic preset.
The most important design question is not whether the filter can physically pass water; it is whether the complete loop still clears the chiller minimum flow when the filter is no longer perfectly clean.
Why larger filters can help
A larger housing and greater filter area can reduce velocity through the media and lower pressure drop at a given system flow. This can create more chiller-flow margin without adding a higher-watt pump. Multi-stage filtration can be useful, but every stage adds another hydraulic loss that belongs in the system model.
Clean filter versus service interval
Commission the system with a clean filter and save the baseline. If return flow or cooldown performance later declines, compare against that baseline. A system that barely passes minimum flow on day one has little room for normal filter loading.