Refrigerator water filters: Change intervals

[stevet]

My wife and I are having a heated discussion about built in water filters and when they really need to be replaced.
The real issue is how does the refrigerator know when to turn on the light that says to replace the filter.
I remember reading that there is a counter that records how many times the door is opened and then sets off the light when the magic number is reached. She is livid that they would use the door counter and assume that water is being dispensed even if it isn't.
I also read that there is a gallon meter that records how many gallons have been dispensed vs. the filter capacity specs. Also, that they may have something that monitors the date the filter is changed and goes by a set number of days before turning on the light.

Does anyone know for sure or are we at the mercy of the manufacturers who want to make a killing on selling their own branded filters?

 

[DADoES]

 
My 2004 GE Arctica SxS has a timed (yearly) filter light.  The filter is suggested to be replaced at 6-month intervals but the light does not turn on at that time per the instances I jotted the next 6-mos change month on the reminder sticker that comes with filters.  The current filter is more than a year, probably two years.  I have a spare but haven't changed it.  The drinking water dispenser feed line leaks under the refrigerator and hasn't been used for several years (which also means I can't easily purge/prime a new filter) so only ice maker fills now go through the filter (assuming they do, I haven't eyeballed the layout).  I get non-GE filters from FiltersFast.com.  There may be some filters that don't have non-OEM substitutes.

 

[mattl]

On my Whirlpool it's a simple 6 month timer.  I wish it measured usage but it does not.

 

Regarding the filters I have been using aftermarket but I have found none with as good a rating as the Everydrop WP sells. It filters out more than others I have looked at.  Wirecutter recommends an external filter that is good for up to 2 years vs the internal. Most fridges work fine without the filter installed, Frigidaire makes an adapter to eliminate the filter.

 

[qsd-dan]

I continue use until there's a reduced flow. Sometimes I'll pick up on the taste of chlorine before the reduced flow and then replace.

 

[rp2813]

Ditto exactly what Dan posted.   Even though I use both dispensers on a daily basis, it's just me in the house.

 

My 2009 KA Architect SxS measures/displays dispensed water by the ounce with remarkable accuracy, and that's a convenience feature I've come to rely on.  But, I'm pretty sure the filter replacement indicator light runs on a six month cycle (currently ~ April/October) regardless of how much water was used during that period.  First it lights up orange, then a few weeks later it turns red.  At that point I push the reset button and give it another six months.  

 

I repeat this procedure until one of the indicators Dan mentioned presents itself, and then I replace with an Everydrop cartridge.  John L. has shared stories of off-brand or bargain priced filters causing problems, so I feel it's worth it to buy the authorized Whirlpool cartridge every year and a half or so.

 

[sudsmaster]

I just follow the light on my KA SxS. Seems to do the job. A couple of years ago I bought a box of water filter cartridges at a business center. I think they will be running out eventually, maybe in six months. It was a lot cheaper getting them in bulk than one at a time.