Question:

I purchased a Kenmore refrigerator ( made by Whirlpool ) last yeat that has a replaceable water filter mounted through the grille.

I have been buying filters that process 500 gallons: they are expensive, about $30. The refrigerator has an indicator monitor that supposedly measures the amount of water that passes through the filter. It tells you when to replace the filter. It just indicated I am to replace the filter after six months of use.

But is this the truth? . I absolutely do not use that much water, the most a gallon and a half a day. Is the monitor just a mechanism that is programmed to change over time and really has no relation to water usage?

Answer:

Unless the water filter has some sort of bactericidal component, such as silver, the point is moot. The process of filtering gathers organic muck from the water and concentrates it on the outer layers of the filter. This muck can, over time, become a place for bacteria to grow. Even with low flow, changing the filter at six months is prudent.

Get an undercounter filter that will service both your refrigerator and a clean water tap. The variety shown here is commonly available at Lowes (probably at a discounted price). http://www.omni-water-filters.com/ot32_filter.htm We use it with a couple of carbon block filters for cooking water, but the filters get replaced every three months for safety.

Once you install an undercounter unit like this, remove the inline filter cart from the refrigerator.

Using old filters is probably more dangerous than using unfiltered municipal water.

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