Filter Quality
Learn more about fridge water filters
You know that the water that flows from your refrigerator water dispenser with just the push of a button is clear, clean and fresh—if you regularly change the refrigerator water filter.
But what else do you know about the water filter?
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AMERICAN FRIDGE
Bosch, Samsung, Maytag, LG ...
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FRIDGE FILTER
External or Internal fridge filter.
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ENJOY
Enjoy your fresh water & ice
Refrigerator water filters are essential components designed to improve the quality of drinking water dispensed from refrigerators by removing contaminants such as chlorine, lead and other impurities. They provide an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to bottled water. These filters are integrated into the refrigerator, offering a convenient source of purified water.
Fridge filters vary in composition, production processes, and filtration mechanisms, all contributing to their effectiveness in removing contaminants from drinking water. Quality fridge filters often carry the NSF Mark logo which is your assurance that the product has been tested and certified, and that the product meets requirements of strict public health standards.
Composition and Production
Refrigerator water filters typically use activated carbon as their primary filtering medium. Activated carbon is highly effective at absorbing chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other impurities which can improve taste and odour. The most common carbon types used in water filtration are bituminous, wood and coconut shell carbons. Some filters also include additional layers such as sediment filters to capture larger particles like rust and sand, and even more advanced media like KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion), which targets heavy metals and extends the filter's lifespan.
Filtration Process
The filtration process in these filters typically involves multiple stages:
1. Pre-Filtration: Water first passes through a sediment filter that removes larger particles.
2. Activated Carbon Filtration: The water then flows through activated carbon, which adsorbs chlorine, VOCs, and other chemicals, improving taste and odour.
3. Advanced Filtration (optional): In more sophisticated filters, an additional stage using KDF or RO may be included to remove heavy metals, bacteria, and other microscopic contaminants.
Types of Filters
1. Activated Carbon Filters: These are the most common and are excellent for removing chlorine and organic compounds, which can improve taste and smell.
2. Sediment Filters: These filters trap larger particles, protecting the main filter media and ensuring longer filter life.
3. Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filters: These filters are more advanced, capable of removing up to 99.99% of contaminants, including heavy metals, by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane.
Activated carbon
Activated carbon is carbon which has an electro-positive charge added to it and is highly porous.
Activated carbon filters used for home water treatment typically contain either granular activated carbon (GAC) or powdered block
carbon. Although both are effective, carbon block filters generally have a higher contaminant removal ratio.
How It Works
There are two principal mechanisms by which activated carbon remove contaminants from water: adsorption and catalytic reduction.
Adsorption: involves the accumulation of molecules on the surface of a material, in this case activated carbon (organic compounds).
Catalytic reduction: involves the attraction of negatively-charged contaminant ions to the positively-charged activated carbon (residual disinfectants such as chlorine).
Function
The two most important factors affecting the efficiency of activated carbon filtration are the amount of carbon in the unit and the amount of time the contaminant spends in contact with it. Particle size also affects removal rates.
Activated carbon filters are usually rated by the size of the particles they are able to remove, measured in microns, and generally range from 50 microns (least effective) down to 0.5 microns (most effective).
Advantages
Activated carbon filters remove many volatile organic chemicals (VOC), pesticides and herbicides, as well as benzene, chlorine (including cancer-causing by-product trihalomethanes), radon, solvents and hundreds of other man-made chemicals found in tap water. Some activated carbon filters are moderately effective at removing some, but not all, heavy metals. In addition, densely compacted carbon block filters mechanically remove particles down to 0.5 micron, including Giardia and Cryptosporidium, turbidity and particulates. Carbon block filters are generally better than GAC filters at removing sediment.
Installation and Maintenance
Installing a refrigerator water filter is generally straightforward, often requiring no tools or professional assistance. This user-friendly design encourages regular maintenance and ensures the filter operates at peak performance. The steps are as follow:
1. Locate the Filter Housing: This is typically found in the grille at the base of the fridge or in the back upper-right corner of the interior.
2. Turn off Water Supply: This prevents leaks during installation.
3. Replace the Old Filter: Remove the old filter by turning it counter clockwise or pressing the release button, depending on the model. Insert the new filter and ensure it is securely in place.
4. Flush the System: Run a few cups of water through the dispenser to clear any air or debris.
Replacement Frequency
Water filters come in many shapes and sizes, and because they contain a filter media they need to be replaced on a regular basis. Every fridge water filter cartridge has an established "service live" from its manufacturer. The service life may be for a specific number of litres and/or an estimate of the number of months that a cartridge will last from its installation.In order to ensure optimalfiltration to reduce contaminants, the filter should be changed when the end of the service cycle isreached (recommended byNSF International).
Why do refrigerator filters need to be changed?
Water filter cartridges generally reduce contaminants in one of two ways.
First, water filters remove some contaminants mechanically, meaning that contaminants that are physically large enough are trapped in the pores of the filter. Other contaminants adhere to the surface of the filter media. Eventually, the surface area of the filter media becomes filled and no more contaminants can be adsorbed.
Or, the pores of the filter become so clogged with debris that water is unable to move through the filter effectively.
While it is easy to spot the decrease in the flow rate, it's not as easy to tell when the surface area of the filter media has become full and needs to be changed. Not changing the filter may allow contaminants and growing bacteria penetrate into your drinking water.
In summary, refrigerator water filters play a crucial role in ensuring the water from your fridge is clean and safe to drink. They use various filtration media to remove a wide range of contaminants, enhancing the taste and safety of your drinking water. Regular maintenance and timely replacement of these filters are essential to maintain their effectiveness.
In addition, using genuine filters from reputable manufacturers is crucial, as counterfeit filters may not effectively remove contaminants and could potentially introduce harmful substances into the water.
Therefore, if you really want to stay on top of filter replacement, sign up for our Filter change reminder program and you will receive an email from us to remind you that it’s time to change your fridge filter. Buy 2 filters per order and save money with the filter reduction, and of course, save the environment by using only one shipment and only one packaging.
