Posted by Rachel Schwartz on 10/13/2020 to
Residential
October is National Fire Safety Month which is why many people tend to change the
batteries in their smoke detectors during October. As those are recommended to be changed at least once a year,
if not every six months, it seems like a good idea to also change any other annual or bi-annual batteries,
filters, etc. at the same time. If you have a refrigerator
with a water and/or ice dispenser, the filter for that should be added to your list of October
change-outs. While most refrigerators with indicator lights will warn you when the filter needs changing, for
those that do not have one it's a good idea to create a schedule on which to change your filter. Most
manufacturers recommend changing the filter at minimum every six months, although the quality of water in your
area and how often the dispenser is used can alter that timeline.
If you know the brand and model of your refrigerator, great! This
makes it easy to buy to the correct replacement in the store or order one online. If you do not know this
information, take the filter from your refrigerator with you to the store and ask an employee to help you find
the replacement you need. Knowing what filter you need will make future purchases easier as some filters can be
purchased in multi-packs online. Typically, there are three types of filters: push-in, twist-in, and inline
filters.
Push-in Filters
To change any filter, you first must locate where it is on the refrigerator. For
push-in filters, there are a few possible places depending on the make and model of your refrigerator: behind
the bottom grill in front of the fridge, inside the fridge in one of the drawers, or in the top compartment at
the back of the fridge. This type of filter is usually built into the refrigerator. To change the filter out,
the old filter must be taken out first. This can be done by pushing the eject button if there is one or by
twisting off the filter cap. Take this cap off of the old filter and place it onto the new one. Some caps and
filters have arrows. If this is the case, make sure to line them up and snap the cap into place by twisting
clockwise. Slide the new filter into place where the old one was and push it in until you hear or feel it lock
into place. Then reset the indicator light if your refrigerator has one.
Twist-in Filters
Called a twist-in filter because you must twist it to both remove and insert the
filter, this filter also has a few possible locations within your refrigerator. Depending on the make and model
of the refrigerator, most twist-in filters will be located behind the bottom grill in front of the fridge,
inside the fridge near the bottom, or in the upper-right-hand corner of the refrigerator. To remove the old
filter, turn it counterclockwise 1/4 of a turn and pull the filter out of the housing. Make sure that the filter
is pulled out straight and not at an angle. Take the cover off of the old filter and place it on the new one.
Push the new filter into the housing straight (no angling) and turn it back 1/4 of a turn clockwise to lock it
into place. Then reset the indicator light.
If the filter is located in the upper-right-hand corner of the refrigerator, open
the cover by either pushing or pulling on it. Then turn the filter counterclockwise to release it. Insert the
new filter and turn it clockwise until it locks into place. Reset the indicator light.
Inline Filters
For inline filters, make sure the water supply is turned off before doing anything
else. For most filters, this happens automatically once the filter becomes unscrewed, but it is a good idea to
double check. There should be an accessible portion of tubing between the shut-off valve and the refrigerator.
Cut this tubing using tubing cutters. It is important that the cut made is square and not done at an angle. You
can smooth the edges with a piece of steel wool as needed. Remove the cap on the new filter and insert the
tubing. Lock this into place by holding down the end cap. Now you can turn the water supply back on. Hold the
filter over a bucket and let the water run until it runs clear. Do this for the other end of the filter and then
check for any leaks.
When changing any of these filters, it is a good idea to run a gallon or two of
water through the new filters before using them. This is because many filters contain black carbon granules and
during the first use or two of a new filter, some of this carbon is flushed out and can leave behind small black
flecks or a grey tinge to the water. While not harmful, some may find it unsettling to drink a glass of water
that is tinged grey or contains small flecks. If your refrigerator does not have a filter indicator light, it's
best to write down the date the filter was last changed and place this either in a place where it will easily be
remembered or on a piece of tape that is placed directly on the filter itself for future reference.
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