How Long Do Refrigerator Water Filters Last?

Did you know that there are all kinds of contaminants that could be working their way into your drinking water on a regular basis? You could very well put these contaminants into your body if you’re not careful!

One way to ensure that you don’t ingest these contaminants is by putting one of the best refrigerator filters into place. It’ll filter any and all contaminants out of your drinking water and prevent them from taking a toll on you.

You should also find out the answer to the question, “How long do refrigerator water filters last?” You won’t have to worry about your filter going bad on you when you know the refrigerator filter lifespan.

Today, we’re going to discuss the lifespan of a refrigerator filter. We’re also going to touch on some of the signs that’ll let you know that your refrigerator filter is on its last legs.

Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about refrigerator filters.

What Do Refrigerator Water Filters Do?

In a few moments, we’re going to answer the question, “How long do refrigerator filters last?”, for you. But before we do, it’s important for you to know what it is that refrigerator water filters do in the grand scheme of things.

Generally speaking, most refrigerator water filters are going to work to remove three main things from the drinking water that comes into your home through your refrigerator. They’ll remove:

  • Lead
  • Chlorine
  • Volatile organic compounds (also known as VOCs)

If you invest in a heavy-duty refrigerator water filter, it might also filter things like chloramine. You might want to choose your filter based on what’s currently found in your home’s drinking water. It’ll guarantee that it’s able to get all of the contaminants out of it.

How Long Do Refrigerator Water Filters Last?

Now that you know what refrigerator water filters actually do, let’s segue into talking about the answer to the question, “How long do refrigerator water filters last?” This will prevent you from hanging in your refrigerator water filter for long periods of time.

Most refrigerator manufacturers recommend that people replace their refrigerator water filters at least once every 6 months. As long as they do that, they shouldn’t have any trouble with their filters.

But with that being said, there are some people who are going to need to replace their refrigerator water filters more often than that. If, for example, you have hard water coming into your home or if the quality of the water coming into your home is poor, you may want to replace your refrigerator water filter every 3 months or so.

You’re also going to want to get into the habit of replacing your refrigerator water filter every few months if you tend to use it early and often. Those who filter gallons and gallons of water every day are going to wear their filters out quicker than those who don’t.

Whatever the case, you shouldn’t ever put off replacing a refrigerator water filter. You’re going to be doing a disservice to yourself and your family if you continue to use a filter well beyond its expiration date.

What Are Some Signs That Show Refrigerator Water Filters Should Be Replaced?

Most modern-day refrigerators will tell you when your refrigerator water filter needs to be replaced. A red light will pop on somewhere on your refrigerator to indicate that it’s time to get a new refrigerator water filter.

There are also some signs that you’re going to spot when your refrigerator water filter is on its last legs. Here are several signs that will show that you need to replace your filter ASAP:

  • Your drinking water and/or your ice have a funny smell to them
  • Your drinking water and/or your ice don’t taste very good
  • The pressure for your water dispenser is very low
  • Your icemaker doesn’t seem to be making ice as fast as it normally does

At the first sign of trouble with your refrigerator water filter, you should replace it right away. Otherwise, you could end up drinking water or using ice with contaminants in them.

Can You Replace Refrigerator Water Filters Yourself?

The good news for those who need to replace refrigerator water filters is that it’s not something you’re going to need to call a professional to do. You can replace your own refrigerator water filter with very little effort on your part.

All you’ll need to do is obtain the right filter for your specific refrigerator, remove your old filter from your refrigerator, and put the new one in its place. If you’re confused about the process at all, the manual for your fridge should break down how to get the job done in a hurry.

Which Types of Filters Should You Buy for Your Refrigerator?

One thing that you’ll want to keep in mind when replacing a refrigerator water filter is that you should always use the right one. You’re going to have to buy a filter that is designed for the fridge that you own.

For instance, if you have a Kenmore refrigerator, then you’re going to need to purchase one of these Kenmore filters to go in it. You don’t ever want to try and shoehorn the wrong type of filter into your fridge. It could do damage to your fridge while also failing to filter your drinking water properly.

Start Replacing Your Refrigerator Water Filter Regularly From Now On

Has it been a while since the last time you replaced your refrigerator water filter? If so, you should change that by replacing it today.

Now that you know the answer to the question, “How long do refrigerator water filters last?”, you should also make a note on your calendar that’ll make it easy for you to remember the next time you need to replace your filter. You should be able to stay on top of it so that you don’t ever get caught using an old filter.

Get more tips on taking better care of everything that you have in your home by browsing through the articles found on our blog.