How Frequent Should You Change Your Refrigerator Water Filter?

Most homeowners with refrigerator water filters often struggle to keep up with the replacement schedule. Perhaps, they often get carried away with enjoying a constant supply of fresh, clean water while forgetting that the refrigerator filter is due for a change.

We all need clean water to stay healthy. But this description doesn’t fit our tap water, which often contains contaminants like bacteria, heavy metals, and others when passing through the municipal pipes. This is why you install a refrigerator water filter to remove these contaminants and ensure the water coming out of your water dispenser is clean and safe for drinking.

The question, “How often should I change my water filter?” is so important that we came up with this detailed guide to answer it and provide even more helpful information.

Asides from the important health benefits of replacing your refrigerator water filters at the right time, you have a few other reasons to not leave your refrigerator water filter beyond the stipulated duration.

Using the same filter for too long makes it ineffective against contaminants and debris. This means that the contaminants will end up in your refrigerator water, giving your water a foul taste and odor. If this continues for long, the filter becomes clogged and escalates into even bigger problems for your fridge. Your water dispenser pressure may drop and ice production reduced.

Most manufacturers set a six-month lifespan for their refrigerator water filters. This means that the filter is due for a change at least every six months. However, this period may vary depending on certain factors.

First, if you filter water frequently, either with the dispenser or ice maker, you may need to replace your water filter earlier than the stipulated period. Second, if your water quality is poor or you are filtering hard water, your water quality and water hardness also force your refrigerator filter to do more work, which means the filter will be due for a replacement earlier than expected.

You can determine your home water supply quality using water test strips that tell you what contaminants it contains.

It can be challenging to track the exact time to replace your refrigerator filter. We know this too. That is why we have listed a few signs that can tell you your filter is due for a change;

If you record any of the situations above, your water filter is dirty and due for a change.

Once you are convinced that your refrigerator water is due for a change, you should get a new replacement filter and swap it with the expired filter. Although it is usually straightforward to access and replace these filters, the exact process of replacement is determined by the make and model of your refrigerator.

Here are the basic steps involved:

The average lifespan of a refrigerator is between 8 and 10 years. However, some units from all manufacturers may last longer depending on the usage culture, maintenance, and other factors. That said, it is easier to replace the filters for new refrigerators than for the older units. We have identified four points to consider when moving through the refrigerator filter progression.

Suppose you have a fridge that is older than ten years. In that case, it may not be compatible with a refrigerator water filter. Such units are usually old, and if there is no filter compatibility, you may need to look at other water filtration solutions for your home or office. If filter compatibility is present, you can see which filter models are compatible with the unit by searching online using your refrigerator model number as a reference.

Age and efficiency are closely linked. Old refrigerator units are more likely to be less efficient. If this is the case, you don’t want to make things worse by adding an extra function – a fridge filter. Adding a refrigerator filter means your unit will use a lot of energy, which may make it struggle and adversely affect its overall performance. So, you should assess your refrigerator’s performance and ensure it can conveniently handle any additional output requirement you are adding.

Filter certifications are a way of assessing the quality and genuineness of the filters. Look out for NSF product certifications related to water filtration standards. Units with such certifications have been tested and verified to perform according to the manufacturers’ claims. The core standard certifications of the filtration industry include NSF 42, NSF 53, and NSF 401.

NSF 42 is one of the most essential certifications a filtration product can have – it verifies the purity and taste of the water. If your neighborhood water quality is fair, an NSF 42 product is enough. However, if you live in an urban or industrial area, NSF 53 is ideal, alongside NSF 401 certification.

This filter is from the OEM manufacturer and is specially designed to provide you and your family with clean, crisp, and great-tasting water. The presence of a high-grade carbon block guarantees an excellent filtration performance that gets rid of over 99% of harmful contaminants in water. It also ensures that your refrigerator doesn’t get damaged by the presence of these impurities. It offers up to six months of optimal performance or 300 gallons of water.

This filter is tested and certified and fits your refrigerator model perfectly like the original. However, it is only available from the OEM manufacturer, making it more expensive than the replacement brand.

The OEM brand is often associated with perceived assurance and guarantee. However, more customers are seeking more affordable options, which has led to the increased adoption of replacement brands. These replacement filters offer excellent filtration performance without costing as much as the OEMs.

Waterdrop is one of the biggest names in the filtration industry. The Waterdrop water filter DA29-0020B is specially made for refrigerators. It is relatively affordable despite running on an advanced filtration technology and 100% superior coconut shell carbon block. You are guaranteed a better performance than the generic brand.

It is also NSF certified for safe materials and excellent filtration performance. This filter is effective against up to 97% of harmful substances in water, including rust, cyst, and chlorine. The best part? It retains the beneficial minerals found in water.

This filter is available for $14.99, way cheaper than the OEM models.

By now, you should have a clear answer to the question, “How often should I change my refrigerator water filter.” If you have any questions or need help with your unit, feel free to let us know in the comments. We will be glad to help.