Modern-day refrigerators are a sight to behold. Not only can you keep your food fresh for days, but you can also get clean drinking water and ice, too, with the help of a filter; but how do you know when it’s time to change the filter? How do you change your refrigerator’s water filter?
There are many ways to remove a water filter. The most common way is as follows:
- Place a towel or bowl to catch any dripping
- Turn the handle counterclockwise
- Pull the filter out
- Remove the handle from the old filter by sliding it off
- Slide the handle onto the new filter
- Remove the cap
- Reinstall the new filter by sliding it into the filter compartment completely and turning the handle clockwise to lock it in place
Luckily for many of us, you do not have to be a professional to change a refrigerator’s water filter. Many are made to be easily replaced by the homeowner. Keep reading to learn exactly when you should replace an old filter.
Read my ultimate guide on refrigerator filters.
Table of Contents
When Should You Replace a Water Filter?
The rule of thumb for changing water filters is every six months; however, if you notice your water quality is becoming poor before the six-month mark, it may be beneficial to replace the water filter ahead of schedule.
You should never continue to use your water filter after its expiration date. Filters that are allowed to become old and overused will continue to build up dirt and grime. This could lead to your filter becoming clogged and for your water to become contaminated. Contaminated water is not always obvious. It can look clear and taste clean but can be bad for your health.
If you do not know when your filter was last replaced, many filters come with a sticker to be placed on the fridge. This sticker tells you the date the filter was installed, the length of time the filter lasts, and the date it should be replaced.
If you are in a situation where you do not have a filter sticker and you do not know when the filter was last replaced, it is better to go ahead and replace the filter. As mentioned before, using a filter that is dirty and expired can lead to contaminated water.
How To Know Which Water Filter You Need
As we’ve seen, replacing a water filter is made to be easy for just about anyone, but unfortunately, water filters are not universal. You will have to use a filter made for your specific refrigerator. So how do you know which type of filter you need? There are a couple of ways. The easiest way is by searching by model number or brand name.
In every fridge, there is a sticker telling you information about your refrigerator, such as the model number or serial number. This sticker can be found inside your refrigerator, usually on the lower portion of the fridge. Other places to find your sticker are the upper left or right wall on the inside of the refrigerator, behind the bottom drawers, or on the refrigerator door side.
Some websites even offer a “Filter Finder”. This is a tool that takes into account your refrigerator brand, model number, refrigerator style, and the placement of the filter. It then gives you a list of filters that match your description to choose from.
How To Change Refrigerator Water Filter
When it comes time to replace your filter, it can seem a bit complicated at first. Many companies that produce refrigerators are aware of this, and they make it simple for the average homeowner to do it on their own.
After determining which filter you need, it’s time to replace the old one. Unfortunately, this is not a one-size-fits-all question. There are many different types of refrigerators out there with many different styles of filters. These filters can sometimes be placed in a variety of different places; however, the most common places are on the bottom grill or the inside ceiling to the right. Chances are your filter is at one of these two places. Due to how common they are, we will focus on these two placements.
Filters Placed on the Inside Ceiling
Before you replace a filter on the inside ceiling of your refrigerator, you have open the compartment. Open this compartment by simply pressing it to pop it open. Keep in mind that it is not necessary to shut the water supply to the fridge off before replacing a water filter. It is also recommended to place a bowl or towel beneath the location of the filter to catch any drops.
- Twist the filter counterclockwise
- Gently pull out the old filter and discard it
- Remove the dust cap from the new filter
- Gently insert the new filter into the compartment
- Rotate the new filter clockwise to lock it in place
- Close the compartment by pressing it back into the ceiling of your refrigerator
Filters Placed on the Grill
Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to shut the water supply to the fridge off before replacing a water filter; however, it is recommended to place a bowl or towel beneath the location of the filter to catch any drops.
While there can be many ways to replace a refrigerator water filter located on the bottom grill, the most common way is as follows:
- Turn the handle of the filter counterclockwise
- Pull the filter out gently
- Slide the handle off the old filter (you may discard the old filter)
- Attach the handle to the new filter by sliding it on
- Remove the dust cap
- Reinstall the new filter by sliding it gently into the filter compartment completely and turning the handle clockwise to lock it in place
Conclusion
It is important to remember to replace your water filters at least every six months, use the correct water filter for your refrigerator, and use a towel or bowl to catch any water that may fall. Luckily for us all, replacing your refrigerator water filter is made to be easily done at home by almost any homeowner in just a short amount of time.