How Often Should I Replace My Water Filter?
Replacing your water filter regularly keeps your drinking water clean, clear, and great-tasting. Most refrigerator and inline water filters should be changed every six months, but usage, water quality, and filter type can affect that timeline. In this guide, we’ll help you determine exactly when it’s time for a replacement, but most importantly why it matters. If your fridge has a water dispenser or ice maker, the filter is doing real work every day. The only catch is that every filter has a lifespan. Change it on time and you get consistently better taste, better flow, and reliable filtration performance.
Why 6 months is the standard?
Many refrigerator filters are designed around a typical household’s use. Over time, the filter media loads up with what it captures, which can reduce water flow and reduce how well it performs. Six months is the most common replacement interval because it balances performance and practicality for everyday homes.
What can make you need a new filter sooner?
If you fill a lot of reusable bottles, have a big household, or run an ice maker constantly, you’ll put more water through the filter. Some homes also have water that carries more sediment or causes faster clogging. In those cases, you may notice reduced flow or taste changes before the 6-month mark. If you see that, trust what you’re experiencing and swap the filter.
What happens if you don’t replace it on time?
An overdue filter can restrict flow, which is frustrating and can affect ice production. More importantly, an expired filter is past its intended service life, which means you’re no longer getting the performance you thought you were getting. Replacing on schedule is a simple way to keep your water consistent and your fridge running the way it should.
How to change a refrigerator water filter? (simple steps)
Find where your filter is located, usually inside the fridge compartment or in the base grille. Remove the old filter according to your refrigerator’s instructions, install the new one fully seated, then flush water through the dispenser for a few minutes to clear any carbon fines. Finally, reset the filter light using your fridge’s button sequence (it varies by model).
How to pick the right replacement filter without guessing?
Start with your refrigerator brand and model number, then match the filter part number listed in your manual or on the old filter. From there, choose a replacement that’s certified and built by a manufacturer you can trust. WaterSentinel is a straightforward option for first-time buyers and replacement shoppers because it’s IAPMO-certified, built in the USA, and ready to ship fast, so you can get back to clean-tasting water without a long wait.
