Who doesn't love having fresh, crisp water and ice right at their fingertips from their fridge? The key is always making sure your water filter is working right! Your filter uses activated carbon to remove contaminants like chlorine, dirt, and bacteria, so it’s vital to maintain it—otherwise, you might end up with icky water, cloudy ice, or a broken fridge!
But how do you know when it's time to replace it? And what happens if you wait too long? Our experts at Dick Van Dyke Appliance World are here to help you figure it all out!
Signs It's Time to Change Your Refrigerator Water Filter
As your filter does its job over time, it gradually loses effectiveness, and your fridge will start giving you clues that it's time for a replacement. Here's what to watch for:
- Change Indicator Light: Some refrigerators have a built-in reminder that lights up when your filter is ready to be swapped.
- Weird Taste or Smell: Notice your water or ice doesn't taste as fresh or has a funky smell? That's a clear sign the filter's no longer doing its job.
- Slower Water Flow: If your water is taking longer to dispense than usual or the ice maker isn't keeping up, it's likely your filter is clogging.
- Cloudy Ice or Murky Water: If your ice cubes look cloudy or your water seems discolored, that's a strong sign your filter isn't removing particles as effectively as it should.
How Often Should You Replace Your Water Filter?
Although replacing your refrigerator's water filter every six months is the general rule, some factors can affect how often you need to swap it out:
- High Usage: If you have a large household (four or more people) or use the water dispenser daily for multiple purposes, you might need to change the filter more frequently — around every 3 to 4 months. The more water you use, the faster the filter will wear out.
- Local Water Quality: If you live in an area with hard water or a high concentration of contaminants, it's smart to replace the filter every 4 to 5 months. But if you know your area has poor water quality, consider replacing the filter every 3 months to avoid issues.
The Dangers of Not Changing Your Water Filter
Skipping a filter change may seem harmless, but letting it go too long can lead to bigger problems beyond just funny-tasting water. Here's what can happen if you don't replace your filter regularly:
- Health Risks Over Time: As your filter gets more clogged, it loses its ability to block harmful contaminants like bacteria, lead, and mold, which makes it unsafe to drink!
- Stress on Your Fridge: A clogged filter forces your refrigerator's water system to work harder, which can cause to leaks, damage to the water pump, or even complete failure of the water dispenser or ice maker.
- Higher Energy Bills: As your refrigerator struggles to push water through a clogged filter, it can use more energy which raises your utility bills and shortens the refrigerator's lifespan.
Pro Tip:
Notice your fridge leaking or having issues with your ice maker? Talk to our service team so we can inspect and repair your fridge!
How to Change Your Refrigerator Water Filter
When it's time to change your refrigerator's water filter, it's essential to know how to replace it and which filter to use. Here's a quick guide to help you through both steps.
- Find the Filter: Most filters are inside the fridge (usually in the top corner), behind a grille at the bottom, or at the back.
- Get the Right Replacement: Not all water filters are universal, so make sure you're getting a filter compatible with your refrigerator model. You can check the fridge's manual, search for the model number on the current filter, or look up replacement filters online by brand and model.
- Remove the Old Filter: Twist, pull, or unscrew the old filter (depending on your model) and have a towel ready for small drips.
- Install the New Filter: Insert the new filter and lock it securely into place. Be sure it fits snugly — if you're using a generic or aftermarket filter, double-check that it's compatible for a proper fit.
- Flush the Filter: After installing, run a few gallons of water through the dispenser to flush out any loose particles in the new filter.
- Reset the Indicator Light: If your fridge has a filter change indicator, reset it by holding the button for a few seconds (check the manual for specifics).
Where's Your Filter?
Swapping out your water filter might not be the most exciting task, but it's one of the easiest ways to keep your water fresh and your fridge running smoothly. So, when that filter light comes on, or your water starts tasting a little off, don't ignore it! And if you need help finding or installing the right filter, our service team at Dick Van Dyke Appliance World is always here to help make it an easy fix — call us today to make an appointment.