Choosing and Buying Refrigerator Water Filters

Choosing and Buying Refrigerator Water Filters

If your local water supply doesn’t provide you with high-quality water or you simply want to reduce the contaminants, you should consider buying a refrigerator water filter.

A fridge water filter will remove many of the contaminants from city water, such as chlorine, Herbicides, Pesticides, and sediments.

Doing so will improve your drinking water’s taste and remove any unpleasant odor caused by various contaminants.

In this comprehensive guide, you will learn everything about refrigerator water filters, including how to choose the right one for your needs. Let’s dig in.

Fridge Water Filters - Do They Really Work?

Water filters for fridges have become so popular that many people consider them an essential part of any household or office. That’s because they work well.

They don’t remove 100% of contaminants, but they do eliminate most of them.

Some of the contaminants that they can filter out include:

• Chlorine
• Rust particles
• Petroleum Solvents
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene, pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides
• BPAs
• Emerging compounds like pharmaceuticals

These filters don’t remove fluoride, bacteria, viruses, nitrate, potassium, and arsenic, nor do they sift out all of the VOCs thoroughly.

So if you want to filter out these contaminants, consider buying a reverse osmosis water filter.

How Long Does a Fridge Water Filter Last?

Most fridge water filters last about six months (200-300 gallons), while some have a 12-month lifespan.

However, using them frequently shortens their lifespan.

If you mostly use water from your fridge, you will need to change your filter sooner than you might expect.

It’s crucial to replace it regularly because all the contaminants that it filters out build up over time and reduce its effectiveness.

If you keep using it, you could negatively affect your health due to various harmful compounds either being released back into your water.

These filters commonly use carbon to purify water.

Because carbon is very effective at removing chlorine - which is added to the water supply to kill bacteria, what can happen is that by removing the chlorine, bacteria can slowly grow up inside the filter.

After a certain time this might make your drinking water harmful.

This is why most fridges with water dispensers feature an indicator light that turns red when the water filter needs replacement.

Deposit buildup can also slow down the system and causes low water flow, so you’ll know when it’s time for a new filter.

Your taste buds should also tell you when you need to change it, as the water’s taste will become a bit unpleasant.

Can You Use a Fridge Without a Water Filter?

If your fridge has a built-in water dispenser and/or ice maker, we highly recommend you install a water filter.

You can use your fridge without it, but then your water wouldn’t be as pure as it should be.

Some fridges have a system that skips the filtration process automatically if there’s no water filter in place.

They have a built-in bypass plug, which is the part that enables them to operate without a filter. Others require installing that extra part.

Can I Add a Water Filter to My Refrigerator?

You can always add a water filter to your refrigerator if the appliance features a water dispenser and/or ice maker. Most newer fridges do.

Most of them also come with an installed water filter to enable consumers to start drinking purified water as soon as they buy a new fridge.

If you buy such an appliance, you will save both money and time that you would otherwise spend on looking for the right filter.

If your fridge doesn’t have a built-in water dispenser, you can still add a water filter. You can install an undersink water filter that will connect your sink to the fridge and purify water before it even reaches the refrigerator.

Which Refrigerator Has the Best Water Filter?

Some of the most popular brands that offer the best water filters out there include Whirlpool, Samsung, General Electric, and LG.

Their filters are popular because of their high durability, competitive price, effectiveness in reducing contaminants, safe construction materials, and simple installation.

There are many more brands that provide high-quality filters, along with various appliance parts.

At UK Water Filters, you can find top-notch fridge water filters from numerous popular brands and all the essential and popular part types that you’ll ever need.

Some of them include filter replacement cartridges, UV replacement bulbs, and spares such as water pipe connectors, connector nuts, shut-off valves, and more.

How Do I Know What Water Filter I Need for My Refrigerator?

Every water filter features model numbers of all the fridges that they are compatible with.

You can find your refrigerator’s model number in the manufacturer’s user manual and maybe even somewhere on the appliance itself.

Once you know the model number, you can do a simple Google search to find all the compatible water filters.

If your refrigerator has a built-in water filter, you will only need a cartridge to replace it when it’s time. Otherwise, you can find an inline water filter, that is, an undersink filter.

American Fridge Filter Replacement Cartridges - Things to Know

If you’re looking to buy an American fridge filter replacement cartridge, you need to know your fridge water filter type.

There are two types of American fridge filters:

• Internal
• External

If you have an internal water dispenser, you probably need the manufacturer’s fridge filter replacement cartridge.

That’s because every manufacturer has special fittings that you need to use to install and replace the filters.

If you have an external water dispenser, you don’t have to get a filter replacement cartridge.

There are many cartridges for external fridge water filters that you can get from numerous generic brands.

That’s because all of them are basically the same, with some slight differences in shape.

At UK Water Filters, we offer high-performing fridge water filter replacement cartridges for any type of external filters, including for American-style fridges.

They are of the highest quality and available at affordable prices.

Water Filters for Fridge Water Dispensers - Things to Know

We’ve discussed water filter compatibility, contaminant removal capabilities, and the lifespan of these popular parts of modern fridges.

But if you are to buy the best refrigerator water filter, there are a few more things you need to know.

Types of Fridge Water Filters

There are two primary types of water filters for fridges:

• Push-in filters
• Inline filters

Push-in filters are built-in filters that most new models feature by default.

There’s a compartment inside the fridge into which you push the filter and twist it.

You can use inline filters for undersink water filtration, or you can install one by connecting your water supply line to your fridge.

Generic vs. OEM Filters

When looking for a fridge water filter, you can go with a generic or an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) filter.

Generic filters tend to have a much lower price than OEM filters, and some might be even more effective than your particular manufacturer’s products.

If you opt for a generic filter, make sure you thoroughly check customer reviews to make an informed decision.

All OEM filters are certified for efficiency and safety, which only some of their generic counterparts can boast.

Their performance is guaranteed, and most of them come with a warranty.

NSF/ANSI Certification

Suppose you want to buy a top-quality water filter.

In that case, you need to make sure that it’s certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) International, which is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

There are three industry standards for water filtration products and systems:

• NSF/ANSI 42
• NSF/ANSI 53
• NSF/ANSI 401

The NSF/ANSI 42 standard establishes minimum requirements for reducing aesthetic-related contaminants, such as chlorine, chloramine, iron, zink, and manganese.

The NSF/ANSI 53 standard sets minimum requirements for reducing health-related contaminants, such as VOCs. It covers more than 50 contaminant reduction claims.

The NSF/ANSI 401 standard has to do with emerging compounds, that is, incidental contaminants, such as trace pharmaceuticals. It covers up to 15 contaminant reduction claims.

Most fridge filters have at least 42 NSF/ANSI certification. If you find a filter that doesn’t have this basic certification, we highly recommend moving on with your search.

Depending on your local water supply’s quality, the NSF/ANSI 42 filter may not even be enough to sift out all the present contaminants.

The additional NSF/ANSI 53 standard is recommended for urban areas, while an extra NSF/ANSI 401 seal ensures the highest safety.

WQA Certification

Not all water filters that are NSF/ANSI-certified perform the same. That’s why you should also look for the Water Quality Association (WQA) Gold Seal.

This is the international “Mark of Product Quality” awarded to the most trustworthy and reliable providers of quality drinking water systems.

If you find a filter with the WQA certification, you’ll know that its construction materials are safe and its packaging claims are accurate and data-based.

Warranty

It’s important to find a fridge filter with a warranty for obvious reasons.

You certainly wouldn’t want to buy a faulty one that you wouldn’t be able to return.

Most filters have a limited 30-day warranty for defective parts.

That means that you can’t try and return it because you wrongly assumed that it eliminated emerging compounds, for instance.

However, some products come with a much longer warranty, while some don’t have it at all.

Here at UK Water Filters, all the systems and products come with a three-year warranty.

Price

Price shouldn’t be the defining factor when choosing a water filter for your fridge.

After all, you’re getting one to purify your drinking water and keep your health in top condition.

However, that doesn’t mean that you need to pay an astronomical price to get premium quality.

Price doesn’t necessarily indicate quality, so keep in mind all the previous tips.

At UK Water Filters, we offer top-notch products at competitive prices.

We also offer a 90-day money-back guarantee, so you can return the goods and get a full refund if you’re not 100% satisfied.

We will also pay for your return postage!

Fridge Freezer Water Filters - Things to Know

When it comes to fridge freezer water filters, you should also look for the NSF/ANSI and WQA certification, as well as consider the warranty terms and conditions.

But if your fridge has an ice maker, there are some other things you should know as well to make a smart shopping decision.

You May Not Need a Separate Filter for the Ice Maker

This depends on the model of your refrigerator. But if it has a water dispenser, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll need a separate filter for the ice maker.

That’s because you install the filter at your water line, from where it can purify both the water going into the ice maker and the water for the dispenser.

Your Freezer May Not Work Without a Filter

If you don’t buy a water filter for your fridge, the freezer may not work at all. That also depends on the make and model.

For instance, no American-style fridge freezer with a water dispenser can work without a water filter.

Filter Installation and Maintenance Impact Ice Production

If you don’t install and maintain a fridge freezer water filter properly, you may end up with low ice production or no ice at all.

That’s because it can get clogged and reduce the water flow, and even cause unpleasant odors. Reduced water flow can also impact the water dispenser.

It’s important to let a professional install a new filter if you’ve never done it before. It’s quite straightforward, but you’ll have peace of mind if an expert does it.

It’s also vital to replace it frequently to avoid potential clogs and other performance and quality problems.

What Is a Fridge Water Filter Jug?

A fridge water filter jug or pitcher is one of the most accessible and inexpensive water filters. It doesn’t require any installation, as it’s similar to a regular water pitcher.

It features a built-in filter that captures various contaminants and requires a replacement every 2-3 months. It’s very easy to use, as you simply fill it up with tap water and wait for the filter media to purify it.

The process takes some time (about 10 minutes), so it may not be an ideal solution for impatient consumers who’d like clean drinking water instantly. Still, it’s just as effective as a full system that you need to install.

It also may not be a perfect choice for large families, as it may not be able to keep up with everyone’s water-drinking needs. It can be especially challenging if you want to use it for cooking purposes as well.

If you buy a fridge water filter jug, you need to keep it in the fridge to avoid bacteria getting in because there will be no chlorine to prevent it. That’s why we also highly recommend you drink the filtered water within 24 hours.

Refrigerator Water Filter DA2010CB - How to Install

The DA2010CB water filter is a universal one that works with all refrigerators that use an external inline filter.

Installing it couldn’t be simpler and doesn’t take longer than a few minutes. Here are all the steps you need to take:

Shut off the water supply.
Note the flow direction specified on the filter to position it properly.
Remove the safety bungs and safety clips (C-clips) from both sides of the filter.
Insert the water tube at the bottom of the filter, pushing it in about 19 mm until it fits tightly.
Put the safety clip back on.
Turn on the water supply.
Run water for about five minutes to clean the system.
Shut off the water supply again.
Repeat steps 4, 5, and 6 on the top side of the filter.
Run water for several minutes to clean the system and check for potential leaks.
Reset the indicator light by following the instructions from the user manual.

When replacing the filter, you need to take these steps:

Shut off the water supply.
Dispense the remaining water to reduce water pressure.
Remove the first safety clip.
Push the collet in, hold it, and pull out the water tube.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 on the other side of the filter.
Cut both ends of the water tube and discard the old filter.
Install a new filter.

If you’re wondering where to buy refrigerator water filters, UK Water Filters is here for you.

We offer a wide range of fridge filters and replacement cartridges, as well as spare parts and accessories.

We pride ourselves on excellent customer care and the huge value we provide to all customers.

We work with the most trusted UK suppliers to bring you products of the highest quality, all of which have undergone strict quality testing.

We offer fast and free delivery, free postage for all returns, and guarantee a safe and secure shopping experience.

Browse our online shop today to find the best fridge water filter for your needs! If you have any questions about us or our products, feel free to call or email us.

We’re always happy to help.