how often to change water filter in your refrigeratorHaving a refrigerator that dispenses water is a great option in any kitchen. You get fresh, clean water and ice with just a tap on the door of your refrigerator, and that comes in handy when you’re cooking or just want to cool off with a nice, cold glass of water.

But there’s a bit of maintenance that comes along with having any refrigerator that can dispense water, and just like you change the oil in your car, you’ll need to change the water filter in your refrigerator with a replacement filter every six months.

water filter samsung What happens when you don’t change your water filter

There’s a lot of excess debris in water that, if you poured it straight from the tap, would make it’s way into your glass. This is one of the reasons why people decide to buy a refrigerator with a water dispenser built in: they want to filter out anything they don’t want to drink.

While the water filter in your refrigerator does the job of keeping your water pure, over time it can build up debris of its own. Bacteria and mold can build up in the filter, and if you don’t change it, not only is your refrigerator no longer effectively keeping those impurities from your water, it could be added trace elements from your refrigerator’s filter.

How to know it’s time to change your water filter

samsung water filterIt’s recommended that you change your Samsung filter or LG filter every six months, and although you can set a reminder in your phone or remind yourself via your home’s calendar to change it, there are few indicators you’ll notice when it’s due.

Decreased water flow

When it’s time for a replacement filter you may notice that you have a slower flow of water. Your ice maker may struggle to make ice cubes and your water may come out slowly or have debris in it.

Your water tastes or smells bad

Does your water have an unpleasant taste? Does it smell ‘off’? When your water filter isn’t working it’s much more likely that your water’s taste or smell won’t be the same as it was when you first started pouring water. The older the filter gets, the more likely it is that your water will smell or taste badly.

where to replace water filterNow that you know why you should change your water filter every six months, you’ll probably want to know how easy it is to do so. Unlike changing your own oil, it’s very simple to change your refrigerator’s replacement filter.

Depending on your refrigerator you’ll want to choose a replacement Samsung filter, LG filter, or Whirlpool filter.

Take a look inside your refrigerator for where your water filter currently is. In certain Samsung refrigerators the water filter is located between the two crisper drawers. All you’ll have to do is turn the dial on the water filter holder, pull out the existing water filter, and replace it.

Changing your water filter means that you’ll have fresh, clean water for another six months, and you can find all types of replacement filter for your refrigerator on Best Buy right now.

Shelly Wutke
Editor TV & Home Theatre
I'm a Vancouver freelancer and tech enthusiast. When I'm not writing you'll find me on my farm with my alpacas, chickens, and honeybees. Visit my website Survivemag

4 COMMENTS

  1. Forget about fridge water and biofilms. Just get good municipal water straight from the tap. Way safer.

  2. I usually end up changing the filter at least a month prior to any recommended time. I find that water begins to taste funny – that is usually my number one sign.

  3. I find it’s best not to go by these time recommendations, and just change the filter when your water starts to taste funny. I mean, unless you don’t mind wasting money by changing your filter early, then by all means change it as often as you want 🙂

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