Fridge Water Filters........Question

[mark_wpduet]

I have a Whirpool fridge that has the water filter in the grill and that indicator light indicates it needs changing after six months......My question is........This seems like a default from the manufacturer........Should I be replacing my filter when the light goes red or does the filter still have a lot of life in it? I don't mind changing and paying for new ones, I was just wondering if I'm throwing money down the drain replacing them before they need to be replaced. Thanks

 

[maytagbear]

How good/bad is the input?

If the water is drinkable from the faucet/source without the filter, you might take out the current filter and reinsert it, and see if the light goes out. However, if the water is not too pleasant, I would pop for a new filter.

Just my .02

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[gansky1]

I have a KitchenAid SxS with the filter in the grille as well. Mine has a countdown display at the top of the refrigerator section that shows the remaining percentage of filtering bliss left. I've have bought $22 (my wholesale cost -- $35 retail) filters for several years now, but this time I hit the "reset" button to ignore the filter monitor's demand for a new cartridge. I did this three months ago and have yet to notice a difference in the ice or the taste of the dispensed water. The last time I changed it, I took a hammer to the old filter and cracked it open. Not much to see inside, I couldn't tell that there was much sediment, etc. coming out of the carbon filtering material. We'll see how long I can go before noticing a change in the quality of water & ice.

 

[danemodsandy]

Oh, God...

...Serviceless Merchandise!

We had them in Atlanta, and they were a tuh-rip.

Merchandise mix was great, the prices were very good indeed.

The problem came when you ordered and went to pick up your item. Their personnel made the Keystone Kops look like the Rockettes; they could never find your order, and they spent what seemed like hours running around scratching their heads and bumping into each other and comparing paperwork to merchandise that obviously didn't match it.

If I had a dollar for every time I saw someone stalk out of their in a huff for having been kept waiting forever, I'd be rich. More than once, I heard someone say, "It's not worth all this to save a few dollars."

Gone now, and I'll bet you the idiots who ran it still wonder why.

 

[danemodsandy]

Oops!

Sorry, wrong thread, and I have no idea how that happened.

 

[maytagmark]

Service Merchandise

I remember them well, last to carry Hoovers that I can remember,but I don't know what the relation is to refrigerator filters.

 

[mark_wpduet]

I think it had something to do with a double post from this original topic. For some reason it posted twice...... anyway....On my fridge, you just reset the filter change light and it goes from red back to green. I happen to have a PPM meter, I checked the PPM from the tap and the PPM from the (filter that whirlpool says needs to be changed) and it was 230 PPM from the tap and 150 PPM from the fridge water.....So that tells me it's still working.....

 

[rp2813]

On our KA Architect series also tells how much filtering % is remaining--if you ask it. However, the "change filter" light goes on when the filter is only 75% used. I rarely change my filter right away, but after reading Mandy's post I might wait a lot longer.

 

[bugsyjones]

I've got a GE side by (it came with the house brand new) and I've never changed the filter. Ever. In like 5 years. Mostly because it's not easily accessed. It's on the back and I don't feel like pulling that darn thing out from it's cubby just to change a filter.

I've noticed no change in water quality. My water comes from a well and it's pretty good water without filtering.

~Tim

 

[mark_wpduet]

Damn! 5 years. You must have good water or I would think the thing would be clogged up.

 

[sudsmaster]

I have a circa 2000 KA Superba sxs fridge. It has a light that goes green-yellow-red. I have definitely noticed an off flavor to the water when it goes red. So I change it when that happens.

I would caution that it might not be all that safe to leave an inline water filter unchanged for years. I understand they can collect material that in turn feeds micro-organisms. So if you don't think you need a water filter anyway, perhaps it would be best to take it out entirely and just have a straight connection to the tap from there.

 

[passatdoc]

PureSource 2 cartridge (Frigidaire)

I have a 2005 Frigidaire counter-depth that uses PureSource 2 cartridges, located in the top horizontal frame of the fridge section. Very easy to replace because they are up front and pop out at the push of a button. I get them from Filters Fast (online) for about $32 each.

I use the in-the-door water for drinking and to make coffee. The taste was as good as the EverPure system that was built in to my sink, so I stopped using the sink source and just use the fridge water dispenser. The filters cost half of what the EverPure cartridges cost, plus the water comes out nicely chilled for drinking.

My indicator light, like sudsmaster's, goes green-yellow-red. Generally I go about 18 months before I get a yellow signal, at which point I change the cartridge. I buy them in pairs (Filters Fast gives a discount for multiple units) so I always have one extra on hand at all times.

One time I had a cartridge that went "yellow" after less than a month of use. There was no discernible drop in water taste or quality. I removed the filter, reinserted it, and held the "reset" button beneath the indicator light for ten seconds (which the manual says to do whenever replacing a filter) and the light changed to green and stayed that way for at least 18 more months. Possibly an air bubble had slowed flow, leading the sensor to conclude that the filter was clogged. I believe the sensor measures flow rate.

 

[passatdoc]

ps

The indicator light is on the dispenser panel, not next to the filter. The only "button" by the filter is a mechanical one that ejects the filter when it needs to be changed.

I just checked the price online and now it's down to $28.45. Shipping/handling is now flat rate ($4.95 for orders under $75) which is a new feature. They used to have a fairly steep basic charge and the cost to ship two filters was about the same as for one filter, so I always bought in pairs. They are located in North Carolina, so purchasers in most other states will not pay sales tax.

Frigidaire WF2CB PureSource2 Water Filter - FC-100

The Frigidaire WF2CB eliminates contaminants in your refrigerator water & provides you with a healthy, refreshing drinking experience. Replace your filter today!

www.filtersfast.com

 

[ptcruiser51]

Use your best judgement

When I sell filter-equipped fridges at THD I always ask if the customer has well or city water. Well water usually has more particulate matter, which will build up in the filter faster. Also it will filter out other stuff as advertised, such as benzine, lead, mercury etc. If you have city water you should not have this stuff ANYWAY. My town publishes and distributes a water test result yearly. So with city water you just have to be concerned with particulate matter and chlorine. I recommend yearly replacement, or as gauged by the flow of water from the dispenser. When you notice a susbstantial decrease in the flow, or notice off-taste, it's time. With well water, go by your indicator or every six months.

One other thing, concerning bacteria. Since the filter removes chlorine, if your filter is inside the fridge the cold itself will retard bacteria growth. If your filter is in the bottom near the warm motor, well.... Just take this into consideration.

Finally, when you do change the filter it may dislodge stuff in the water line. Run a pitcher of water and use it on the plants.

 

[whirlcool]

Most filters instructions state that you should run the water through a new filter for several minutes before actually using the filtered water. Good for plants with that activated charcoal dust in it.

 

[mark_wpduet]

I'm on city water. My Whirlpool also goes from green/yellow/then red. The thing I notice is that it's EXACTLY six months.....So it's not as if the fridge is "sensing" that it needs changing, but more "programmed for time" instead. When the light goes red, I don't notice any difference in the taste. I only use it for drinking and for coffee as well. I never drink it out of the tap. These fridge water filters really are very convenient. I love them...Just wasn't sure if I really needed to change it when it said. I get my filters from filters fast as well and usually get three at a time.

 

[super32]

I use to go 2-3 cycles. When i say cycles, i mean reset the indicator and keep using the same filter. When me and the now EX were together, i would go usually 2 cycles. We entertained ALOT and somebody was always running in and out of the house. Both friges were well loved and well used...lol Now being single and not having alot of company, i proabaly would go back to 3 cycles. Im fortunate now that i dont have to pay for the filters.

 

[DADoES]

 
My GE Arctica filters are rated at 300 gals or 6 months maximum time. However, the change light triggers at about 1 year, so I have to wonder if 6 months is based on typical use and if a flow sensor is involved. I use the water & ice considerably less than average. Filter was changed 1/25/2010, 1/20/2009, 1/19/2008, 1/14/2007, and 2/11/2006, each time in response to the indicator light. I can tell the flow rate decreases when a change is coming due.

 

[mayguy]

I change our water filter once a year since I'm on City water. My parents are on well, and they have to do it 6 months.