Do you know how often to change your water filter in your refrigerator?
If not, check your refrigerator manual which may say to replace the filter every 6 to 12 months. You will want to check your specific product manual for a general guide for replacement. However, what if you have a household of 5 instead of the 2 in my household? As with all filtering systems, replacement is not based on a number of persons, but the amount of usage. My husband and I are big water drinkers, so we would need to consider changing our filter more often than a larger family that doesn’t consume as much water or ice as we do.
But what about that “water filter indicator light” on the refrigerator door? Again, that indicator is based on time, not on usage of the filter. Water filters help to provide us with cleaner drinking water, so it is important to replace them when needed, but since they are not cheap we don’t want to replace them before necessary.
One way to determine if the filter needs changing is by the taste of your water or ice. If you notice a difference in the taste of your water, or start to smell an unpleasant odor, your filter is probably not removing all contaminates and will need to be changed. Another way to know is if your ice maker is no longer making single ice cubes, but producing larger cube junks. Your water filter being full can also cause a reduction in your water flow.
One thing to remember when putting in a new water filter is the need to flush out the new filter. Small particles from the filter can become dislodged during manufacturing or shipping, and come through in the first glasses of water consumed. You would just want to run 3 to 5 gallons of water through the dispenser before consuming any water yourself. If you have just an ice maker, then discard the first couple of batches of ice. You can again consult your refrigerator manual for their specific recommendation on this procedure.
Have questions about water or plumbing issues in your home? Give us a call. We’re happy to discuss. Call the professionals at Go Green Plumbing at 336-252-2999 for service 7 days a week/24 hours a day. If water runs through it – We Do It!
