If you have never changed your refrigerator water filter lately, a few years, or even months, you might be wondering when you should change it. Buying a new replacement refrigerator water filter from the original brand can be extremely costly. Aftermarket refrigerators filters can be the same price but are of better quality. Refrigerator water filters generally need to be replaced every year. But of course, that is not the only way to keep your water quality at its peak, and keeping your water in good condition means taking other steps as well.

One of the easiest ways to tell if it is time to change out your fridge’s water filter is by looking at the indicator light on the jug. If the indicator light stays on, then you probably have a filter that needs changing. If the indicator light goes off, however, or turns red, then chances are your water filter is fine, and you are just waiting for bacteria to start building up in your fridge. When it’s time to change your fridge’s water filter, make sure you replace it right away, so bacteria doesn’t have a chance to build up.

Another good way to gauge how often you should change out your old filter is by looking at how consistently your water tastes. If after a month or two your water tastes bad, then it is probably time to get a new one. But this is not always the case, and sometimes bad tasting water is simply an indication that your old filter is no longer doing its job. The way a water filter works is by letting some of the non-carbonated liquid passes through its filters, capturing particles that would otherwise escape into your kitchen. It is important that you change your filter when the taste of your water changes because some people prefer their water to be a certain flavor, and other people don’t.

Water filters also help to clean your drinking water, since most are designed to remove both hard water and soft water. Hard water can damage pipes and appliances, and soft water can leave chemicals and minerals in your water that can make your skin feel greasy and your hair feel tangy. Both types of water are bad for your health. If you feel better after drinking hard water, or your pipes work more effectively after cleaning with a filter, then you know you are getting cleaner water. But, if you are constantly getting sick from consuming too much water with too little filtration, or if you are developing skin rashes, stains on clothing, and similar problems, then you might want to consider getting a softener.

Probably the single most important factor in choosing a refrigerator water filter is how it filters out impurities. Different brands filter out different types of contaminants, so it’s important to choose a brand that filters out the most contaminants. Some of the most common contaminants in tap water include sediment, pesticides, chlorine, lead, and a host of other chemicals. If you filter out all of these things, you are sure to get truly clean water. The quality of your filtered water will vary from brand to brand, but you’ll want to make sure that it’s as good as it claims to be.

Refrigerator water filter prices range, but they are definitely worth the price. A high-quality filter will last a long time, and even if you have to replace it a couple of times now and then, it will save you money in the long run. The only thing to remember is that you need to change it when it is time to change your diet, and when it’s time to avoid harmful chemicals in your drinking water. But, other than that, changing your fridge water filters regularly should be a pretty easy job. Now go ahead and enjoy great-tasting water.

This post was written by a water treatment expert at Paragon Water Systems. They manufacture home water solutions such as reverse osmosis systems, under sink water filtration systems, showerhead filtration systems, carbon cartridges, and a wide variety of other products. Their focus is to provide America with safe and clean water throughout the home. Click here for more information!