Good health requires unfettered access to clean and safe water. If you have a fridge with an inbuilt water filter, chances are that you have grown up using water straight from the fridge. Probably you never know, but the act of changing your fridge water filter frequently is just as essential as using it at first.
A refrigerator is installed with a water filter that removes harmful contaminants from the water you and your loved ones drink. The working of a filter diminishes with time due to blockage from debris and pollutants. This is the reason why you need to change the filter at stipulated intervals, and the continuation of quality of water depends on this.
Understanding of Water Purification Filter in Refrigerator Freezers
A fridge water filter is that small but critical part of modern refrigerators which is designed to filter many contaminants present in your water before it leaves and makes clean, fresh water come out. There are many kinds of filters, but activated carbon filters appear to be the most popular types of fridge water filters. They contain activated carbon that catches an impressive high number of impurities, bacteria, and chemicals from your water.
Types of Water Filters
- Activated Carbon Filters- the common filter found in fridges-most common filters. This uses activated carbon to trap chlorine, lead and volatile organic compounds VOCs.
- Reverse Osmosis Filters- this is the more advanced filter, commonly used in single, standalone water filtration systems. They remove a wider range of contaminants, including bacteria and viruses.
- Ion Exchange Filters: They remove calcium and magnesium ions from hard water by replacing sodium or potassium ions.
The fridge filters are very effective at removing harmful agents, though it has a limited lifespan. Generally, a filter has an average lifespan of 3 to 6 months depending on usage and the quality of the water .
Contaminants Removed by Water Filters
Your fridge water filter plays a very significant role in ensuring that you drink clean, contaminant-free water, free from dangerous contaminants. The filter needs to be quite diligent to remove several known contaminants among which are:
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Chlorine
Chlorine is a chemical compound employed in most municipal water treatment to purify bacteria and viruses. However, excessive intake of chlorine may lead to various problems. It may cause dry skin, itchiness in the eyes, and even respiratory discomforts if taken excessively over a period of time. A refrigerator water filter can eliminate most of the chlorine in the water, thus making it safer for drinking.
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Lead
Lead is considered one of the most dangerous contaminants that can end up in tapped water. Extensive contact with it may lead to severe health conditions, which include developmental problems in babies and renal failure in adults. Refrigerator water filters can remove or reduce the level of leads in water.
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Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
These are chemicals that may produce toxins if ingested. VOCs cause nausea, dizziness, and exposure after a long time produces cancer. Water filters remove the compounds abundantly, leaving your water safe.
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Bacteria and Parasites
When ingested, older pipes or any untreated sources of water can carry deleterious bacteria and parasites. Bacteria like E.coli cause dangerous gastric issues. A water filter helps to trap and eliminate these bad microorganisms.
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Sediments
Similarly, aged pipes can also cause the entrance of sediment like sand, dirt, and rust particles into the water coming to your house. They can make your water milky in color and sometimes lead to health problems over time. Fridge water filters can effectively remove such sediments.
Benefits Clean Water for Health
There are numerous health benefits when you drink clean, filtered water. Here are a few key advantages:
1. The free hydrating substance that is totally clear of contaminants
Whether hydrating or not, the role water plays in sustaining good health, to some extent, cannot be underplayed. As your filtered water tastes fresh and clean, you can ensure the guarantee that you are drinking little or no poisons within it.
2. Better Skin Health
Drifting filtered water improves the quality of your skins. The usage of water chlorine which contains chemicals dries up the skin. By using a fridge water filter, one gets rid of harmful chemicals hence healthier skin.
3. Better Health Digestion
Fresh water means that you will have proper digestion. When your body is free from harmful bacteria and parasites, your digestive system works better. Changing your fridge water filter helps remove these bacteria and parasites from your water.
4. Lower Risk of Chronic Diseases
It can cause dangerous health issues- from damage to the kidneys to cancer-from drinking polluted water that contains lead or other heavy metal particles. Maintaining your fridge water filter will save your body from these health hazards.
5. Health Benefits to Vulnerable Groups
The effects of contaminated water to the human body are much worst for children, pregnant women, and the aged. Regular replacement of your water filter ensures that none of these groups faces dangerous contaminants.
Why You Must Replace Your Water Filter: The Dangers of Not Replacing
Although it is evident that replacing your water filter benefits you, what happens if you do not replace your water filter?
Clogged Filters Cause Contamination
Filters clog up with exactly what it is supposed to remove over time. A clogged filter can no longer trap any contaminants to send them into your water you drink.
Slow Water Flow
Water cannot easily pass through the fridge since the flow of water is hampers by the clogged filter. This affects the overall performance of your fridge's water and ice dispenser
Bacteria Build-Up
Old filters easily become breeding grounds for bacteria. This is because in case you do not change the filter, the bacteria present in the old filter may multiply and subsequently contaminate your water .
Over Straining the Refrigerator
Using a dirty water filter over-strains your refrigerator's system. Such may, in the long run, lead to mechanical failure and potentially place you at an added disadvantage of having to pay so much money to repair it.
When and How to Replace Water Filter?
So, how often must you change your fridge's water filter? Most producers recommend that a water filter should be replaced every 6 months. However, this may vary with the use of the refrigerator's dispenser and the quality of water from your local supply.
Step-by-Step Guide to Replacing Your Fridge Filter
Locate the Filter: Most fridge filters are found on either the bottom grille of the fridge, or within the fridge compartment.
Shut Off The Water Supply: Before you remove the old filter, make sure to shut off the water supply.
Removing the Old Filter: you twist the old filter which some model requires; in other models, you just need to press a button.
In installing a new one, you are required to do what the manufacturer indicates for putting up the new filter.
Re installation of Water Supply: After putting up the new filter, turn on the water supply.
Run Water Through the New Filter: Allow some liters of water to pass through the filter to wash away loose carbon particles that may have loosened during transit.
Choosing a Water Filter
When changing your fridge water filter for the first time, make sure you are selective over a number of things:
Compatibility: Ensure the filter is compatible with your fridge model.
Contaminates Targeted: Some filters target certain contaminants; so, choose a filter based on your local water quality.
Brand and Quality: The choice of a reliable brand will not go wrong for your needs.
Feature Products
Below are some top water filters that we recommend for your fridge:
Liebherr Miele Fridge Water Filter: A highly efficient filter reduces chlorine, lead, and any other bad ones from making it to your glass.
Bosch Fridge Water Filter: This filter is suitable for use in Bosch fridges and ensures the elimination of chlorine and lead-like impurities.
LG Fridge Water Filter: This water filter is suitable for LG fridges and removes any harmful chemicals or particles from water.
Zip Genuine Water Filter Cartridge: This filter is compatible with Zip water systems, thus making your water filtration quite high-quality.
Tefal Kettle Quick Cup Filter: Suitable for purifying water in your kettle or coffee maker.
Original Bosch Fridge Water Filter: The Bosch original water filter is just perfect for offering you fresh and pure clean water in your home.
Conclusion
It just isn't about access to fresh water; maintaining a clean and effective fridge water filter does protect your health. For example, regular replacement of the filter ensures that chlorine, lead, and bacteria in your drinking water are completely removed.
The information on the contaminants type the filter removes, and the health benefits of clean water, makes you more prepared to make key decisions when it really is time to change your filter. Don't let a filter that has spent too much time in one place compromise your health. Regular changing of filters ensures you enjoy clean fresh water.
Last but not least, take a few minutes selecting the best fridge water filter. In our search for an available fridge water filter in NZ, or similar regions, our best-selling product ensures excellent filtration to give you peace of mind.