How often do you need to change the water filter on a refrigerator?
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at
1:36 pm
I purchased a new refrigerator a little over a year ago that has an ice maker and water dispenser on the front door. There is a filter indicator on the inside that counts down when it’s time to change the water filter. I have used the water dispenser twice since it was purchased and the ice maker is turned on once every 3 month if not longer. Should I change the water filter when the indicator says it’s time or can I wait much longer?
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Filed under: Water Filter System
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Your refrigerator water filter is almost certainly using a carbon filter and possibly another form of filtration. Although different manufacturers will have different guidelines for how long the filter will last, it’s very common for an in-line filtration media to last 6 months. Your best bet is to look up the model then contact the manufacturer to find out the recommended filter lifespan, which can vary by a few months in either direction depending on various factors.
The important thing for you to know is that regardless of how often you have used it, you must change it regularly once the filter gets wet.
Once the filter is wet, the harmful contaminants obviously remain in contact with the filter. In your case, you wouldn’t have built up a lot of contaminants so your filter would likely remain very efficient for its life. However, the filter will still accumulate contaminants and since the media is wet, bacteria will inevitably form. That’s your big worry.
once a year
I CHANGE MINE EVERY 6 – 7 MONTHS
Usually every 6 months on mine. I have an LG and it has a countdown indicator every 6 months.
I have a very old fridge, that has none of those fancy "timer" devices for triggering a change of filter.
The time between replacement of filters depends on how fast debris accumulates in/on the filter. I determine when to replace mine by watching the rate of water flow when getting water from the dispenser.
When I NOTICE a reduction of flow rate, I replace the filter. Depending on the amount of "crud" my city water system allows in the water determines the replacement time. Sometimes I replaced it as often as a 6 month interval, and occasionally it’s gone a year or two.
Unless your INDICATOR is based on degree of clogging [which I doubt] then that indicator is just based on a timer and has nothing to do with actual "loading" of the filter. Just test "flow" some water from the dispenser every few months or so and watch for SIGNIFICANTLY lower flow rate before replacing the filter.
read the manufacturer’s instructions or call the company directly.
About twice a year. Go by the indicator. It will turn red when it’s time.