Does your refrigerator water filter even work? Is there any harm to drinking water quality leaving an old water filter in? We tested the drinking water. #waterfilters #refrigerator #homemaintenance
One reason to replace them when the indicator turns on is bacterial buildup. Using an old filter for a long time can be harmful because of that. The water flows through everything but kinda just sits in the filter indefinitely which is what causes the bacterial growth.
I agree that it's mostly based off of where you get your water source. Most of these refrigerator water line filters just are made of activated carbon and potentially some other filters. It's primary job is to remove the chlorine and the sulfur odor, and not much more.
Thanks for sharing! I’ve always wondered how important the filters and scheduled filter changes were in these water dispensers and also in shower heads.
your research is flawed you don't forget you have about a gallon of water in line from the filter to the dispenser through the coil plastic coil... you have to run it at least 3 minutes to get all that water circulated out....
Thank you for watching and sharing. It sounds like you first hand experience with water quality. I have not had my personal Well water tested for safety in over 10 years… I’m behind.
Cut open the old filter and look at what has built up inside. Based on the water flow reduction you reported, I predict you'll find a lot of "gunk" in there. Is that gunk actually harmful? Probably not. But do you really want to drink it?
@@HomeRapidRepairWould be an impressively broad scam, if true. I suspect more likely it’s a matter of the HUGE differences in water quality and content across the country.
@@jimtalbott9535 I agree with you. I’m not saying it’s a scam at all. I’m just saying in some situations you won’t even notice a difference in the taste with a filter or without a filter.
Honestly, considering the price of them (I have an LG with a water filter too), a whole home filter would be a far better investment. Combine it with a water softener and really, it would be far better money spent compared to those foolish cartridges. I have to make some plumbing changes to get a bigger, high flow filter into my main line (I have a less than ideal one now) but once that is done, I am done with these silly things. That is for sure.
Not sure that I agree as, yes, the price per filtered unit is much lower, you are also filtering 99% of the water that isn't even bing consumed. 99% if the filtered water is quite literally going down the drains. The BEST value is a pitcher filter like ZEROWATER. Superior filtering AND value per filtered unit.
I’ve considered that idea. One thing I’m thinking of is to attach an “RV” water filter to the line headed to the fridge. Some are designed to last 5-10 years, and primarily improve flavor. But it would likely reduce the “work” the pricier filter in the fridge is doing.
Great question. I know in this house the kitchen faucet goes through a water softener. Where as this refrigerator waterline does not. 😊 Thank you for watching.
I replaced my refrigirator filter with that one. The water tasted terrible. Iodine taste after standing for a while.. I checked a number of times to make sure the filerter was inserted properly. Had to buy the original. Everydrop by whirlpool. Now the water tastes great.
Ok thanks for sharing your experience. I may be getting old, but I don’t taste much of a difference with filter in or filter out🤦🏻♂️. I used to buy the brand name water filters, but now at like $50+ each it just seems like a waste of money.
@@HomeRapidRepair Due to a ground water contamination issue water is heavily chlorinated. Supposedly the water around here once won contests for taste quality
I guarantee you it varies significantly by municipality because you WILL need a filter for the Augusta areas or else youd be drinkjng moldy sh*t water 100%
@@chrisrobinson5413 that was a good video, thanks. I usually run my filters at least three or four cycles of the warning light. I've never noticed any difference. Probably a good observation with the flow. I'll have to check that next time I replace it. The filter definitely does its job because my water smells like city pool without it.
I believe you. I think this water tester manufacturer wanted to make their testing strips look more fancy. However could they affect taste like if someone was a coffee snob?
You should have tested the third non filtered water straight from your spigot not from the fridge, that fridge has a huge reservoir, I suspect that the "unfiltered" water you tested last was still coming from the filtered reservoir
We did run a little bit of water not shown in the video. But you still may be right. I do happen to know my kitchen faucet is on a water softener however, the refrigerator water is not…. Thank you for watching. I do want to redo this video in the future with more scientific methods.
Just a reminder that the water coming into your house is already safe for human consumption. The filter on a refrigerator is just to get that remaining stuff out that isn't harmful to humans but can make the water sometimes taste better depending on the water in your area. My water taste the same out of the tap and fridge. I kind it all of a marketing ploy to spend more money on something you don't really need in the first place. I replace my filter yearly and reset it at 6 months, the water pressure does improve but meh.
Thanks for sharing. I think you bring up some good points for our viewers. In my case I’m on a private well, so there is no regular testing of the water. But yes, I agree with you. An annoying light turning on telling you to change your filter, prematurely, is a total marketing and salesmanship ploy.
@@HomeRapidRepair FFS a majority of water in most cities and towns is within spec for human consumption. If you want better tasting water put in a whole home water filtration system. Stop acting like it's so bad and grow up. The data disagrees with you.
