Almost all refrigerators these days come with instructions from the manufacturer stating that you must change the water filter approximately every six months. Some refrigerators even have a “replace water filter” indicator that diligently flashes to remind you to change the filter.
However, your water still smells and tastes fine, so that leads you to wonder, “Do I really need to change the water filter in my refrigerator?” Or you might wonder "how often should I change the water filter in my refrigerator?" Then you shrug, reset the indicator, rinse, and repeat.
Most of us go months or even years without replacing our fridge water filter simply because the water it dispenses does not look or taste contaminated. What we often forget is that there are several impurities that are tasteless and invisible to the naked eye. Even if you think you have been consuming clean, potable water that may not be the case.
When it comes to something as essential as drinking water, something that sustains us and is consumed in large quantities every day, it is crucial that we pay special attention to its quality. The consumption of unclean water poses a myriad hazards to our health and well-being and therefore, is not to be taken lightly.
In this article, we discuss the importance of drinking clean, filtered water, and the need to regularly change out your fridge water filter.
The Dangers of Consuming Contaminated Water
It is imperative that water used for drinking and cooking is properly filtered to get rid of harmful contaminants, the health implications of which, though often mild, can sometimes be extremely severe. Tainted water may contain suspended particles, bacteria, viruses, and, in extreme cases, parasites, pesticides, lead, arsenic, fluoride, radium, or radon. While suspended particles may cause the water to appear cloudy, most contaminants do not have a characteristic taste or odour.
Drinking water tainted with one or more of these impurities may cause waterborne illnesses such as gastrointestinal issues, nausea, diarrhea, and cramps. Long-term exposure to contaminants such as radon gas or radium has even been linked to heart disease and cancer. Though not common, it certainly is not worth the risk.
The threat of waterborne illnesses can be entirely steered clear of through regular replacement of the water filter in your refrigerator. With time, the filter tends to get clogged up with impurities and after a certain point, can no longer perform optimally. A malfunctioning fridge water filter has little to no filtration capacity. Consequently, impurities that would have otherwise been filtered out make their way into your water, thus tainting it.
Do I Really Need to Change the Water Filter in My Refrigerator—Signs to Look Out For
Besides the obvious “replace water filter” indicator lighting up, there are a few more signs that may indicate that your refrigerator water filters needs replacing. Keeping an eye out for one or more of these signs can spare you and your family from consuming foul-tasting or unclean water. Some of these signs include:
- Murky or coloured water - Clean filter water does not have any colour to it. If the water dispensed from your refrigerator does have a colour to it, it is most definitely time to change out your filter. Orange or reddish water indicates the presence of iron and cloudy white or grey water could be dirt particles.
- Black flecks - While the occasional black fleck or two may just be carbon particles that came loose from the carbon filter mesh, a greater intensity of black flecks is not a good sign. An excess of suspended particles in your fridge water points towards an old filter that is no longer functioning properly.
- Odour - If the water from your refrigerator has a metallic or acrid smell to it, it is time to change your filter. Sulfites or sulfur leaching into your water can also cause it to smell like rotten eggs. If your fridge water filter is too old, these odours are more likely to make their way into your drinking water.
- Taste - Filter failure can also manifest itself as a funny taste in your water. In fact, any taste in your drinking water at all, funny or not, is indicative of a poorly functioning filter. While a very faint metallic taste is nothing to be concerned about, anything more intense means it is time for the old filter to go.
How Often Should I Change My Fridge Water Filter?
There are a few different factors that determine the ideal frequency of changing out your water filter. This includes the level of water hardness in the area you reside in, your water source, and how often the water and ice dispenser in your refrigerator is used.
The harder the water, the faster fridge water filters get clogged. Similarly, the more often the fridge water dispenser is used, the more frequently it calls for replacement.
Choose PureFilters for Your Fridge Water Filter Needs
- One of the top-rated websites for filtration products in Canada, PureFilters carries a large and diverse assortment of refrigerator water filters across a wide variety of top brands and models.
- PureFilters also carries top quality and affordable refrigerator water filter compatibles, like the popular water filter Samsung DA29-00020B, Bosch, and LG water filers, just to name a few.
- At PureFilters, we prioritize quality over all else. To this end, we source our products from the best manufacturers in the country. Take a look at PureFilters reviews to hear it from our customers!
- We realize the urgency of filtered water and promise a prompt 3-5 business days delivery period. Having two distribution centres processing orders to make sure it arrives promptly at your door.
- Once a customer, you can leave the hassle of remembering to replace your fridge water filter to us. Opt to have us send you replacement reminders to make replacing your fridge water filters an easy task.
- Have a question? Our customer service team is a call or email away!
Fresh, filtered water is not a luxury; it is more of a necessity than anything else. By choosing PureFilters for your fridge water filter needs, you choose quality, dependability, and a solid product for a reasonable price.
