I want to know how refrigerators know when it is time to change the filter. Is it just set to notify you every year or is it actually linked to the condition of the filter and once the filter gets to a certain threshhold the light comes on, whether that be in 6 months or 2 years. The reason I ask is that I am single and so I don't use the water as much as would be the case in a normal family. I want to know if when the light comes on, is it because the filter is actually worn out/dirty or is it just because a preset timer has expired. I feel like I have to keep shelling out 50 bucks every time the red light is on while the filter I am throwing out still may have a lot of life left in it.
However I have also read that bacteria can grow inside a water filter if it is not changed after 6 months. Any truth to this?How do refrigerators know when it's time to change the water filter?The filter change light comes in on either timed used (like 6 months), or when it is dirty and the flow gets restricted, that makes it harder to push the water.
Bacteria can grow in plastic water bottles that you keep refilling with tap water. The filter is is a material that filters out contaminates or minerals etc... It is entirely possible that some of the water that doesn't pass through will alow bacteria to grow.
But there is a very cheap bateria killer that anyone can get. And the bateria dies, not just 99% like Lysol says it kills. The 1 % lysol doesn't kill becomes resistant to it.
Put the filter in simple peroxide, it will kill all the bateria safely. Rinse it good because it is not safe to drink peroxide and it is germ free.
Peroxide on sale for 2 or 3 bottles for $1 will clean the filter many times for reuse.How do refrigerators know when it's time to change the water filter?i agree with you 100%. it's a ripoff. the filter for my kenmore is $75. i use it for lots of ice and water daily and the flow has not slowed down at all. i just reset it and keep using it and have never really worried about bacteria in it. heck we get enough of it everywhere else. if it really worries you try the guy's peroxide trick.How do refrigerators know when it's time to change the water filter?Mainly it's timed, and when the red change light goes on, the filter should be replaced as soon as possible. Most refrigerator filters use carbon, which will allow bacteria to grow after a certain period. So, even if you are the only person drinking the water, to be safe, you need to change the filter when directed. True, most carbon filters will remove chlorine beyond the specified time because it's really the number of gallons used that determines when the carbon wears out. You could hit reset and continue to use the cartridge, but that's not safe.
