We purchased a new Whirlpool refrigerator earlier this year. The new refrigerator has all the marvelous improvements developed in the last ten years for refrigerators, including a water filter.
The water filter really does deliver better water. However, the water filter seems quite expensive to me. Whirlpool, and other manufacturer's that use this type of filter, recommend the filter be replaced twice a year, whether you need to replace the filter or not.
The filter is relatively easy to replace, but be aware of what happens when you pull the filter. To remove the old filter you push a button next to the filter, typically to the left of the filter. Then pull on the cap covering the filter and pull the filter out. Make a note of how the filter was oriented when you pull it out.
The filter will now begin dripping water, so have a paper towel or small bowl available to let the water drip into. You can either let the filter finish dripping into a sink, or throw it into a plastic bag that you can seal to keep the water from dripping out of the bag. Be sure you remove the cover from the filter before you toss it. On our Whirlpool the cover twists counterclockwise for removal.
Install the filter cover onto the new filter. It takes just a twist to lock it into place. Holding the filter so that the two straight pieces on the end of the filter are vertical, with the open portion of the filter cover oriented on the bottom, slide the new filter straight into the filter cavity until the button on the left clicks to let you know the new filter is locked into place. Note that these instructions are for a Whirlpool, but I believe most other refrigerators are similar. You should be ready to go!
Had I known refrigerator water filters were so expensive I might have gone with a refrigerator without one, though our local water has a lot of chlorine in it (which is filtered out by the filter).
As with many modern conveniences, this water filter represents a convenience that you did not know you needed until you had it. Now that I have it, I am wondering whether I want it since I have to spend a chunk of change each year in filter replacements. Oh well. I guess I can sleep more soundly knowing that the water filter is now removing a bunch of stuff from my water that my body either did not want or need.
Good luck!
Overall we have found this to be a great water filter. But we have had our water tested by a professional, both at the tap, and at the filtered tap on the refrigerator. Both waters tested the same for chlorine content, however, the particle contaminants were greatly reduced by the filter on the refrigerator.
Something to note on your water filter.
The light is merely a timed indicator of when they want you to replace the filter. Think of it as a "countdown timer" that starts as soon as you reset it. It is in no way measuring the amount of water you are consuming... Personally, I used to change out the filter every 6 months when the indicator light came on, but we rarely use the water/ice now, so I haven't changed it (or reset it) in over a year although I probably will soon. I actually cut the first one in half to see how "contaminated" the filter was and to my surprise, it looked like a brand new filter...
The life of a filter depends on a couple of things.
1. The amount of contaminants in your water (well water is typically the worst)
2. The amount of water that passes through the filter
If you have low contaminants and/or use very little filtered water, your filter will last much longer than 6 months. If you pay attention to the amount of water flow and the size of your ice cubes, you can more accurately determine the proper time to replace the filter.
I have county water and we also have installed a "whole house" water filtration system, so I can probably get closer to 2 years out of a filter. Obviously, not everyone has these installed though, just use common sense on when to replace your filter and you'll be fine.
P.S. Why is it more expensive per unit to buy the 3-pack than it is to buy the 2-pack? Am I the only one that found this odd?
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Since I had had previous experience with Pur water filters, we purchased a side-by-side water and ice dispenser Whirlpool fridge over a year ago that uses these filters and they have made a huge difference in the quality of our water. We live in Riverview, FL, a suburb of Tampa, and the water here is so foul that I sometimes wonder if I have an odor from it after I shower. Since it smelled that bad coming from the tap I knew I was not going to drink it, cook with it, nor give it to my cats. So, to save us the expense of buying bottled water, we bought the fridge. Yes, the filters are expensive, but they are Pur water filters which, in my opinion, are better than Brita. I would rather have the expense than get sick drinking nasty water. Since I use the filtered water for just about everything, I have to replace my filter more frequently, but it is well worth the cost.
To save a few bucks, I order my filter online and three at a time; this usually saves me $3-5.00 per filter. Just search for the item number of the filter and you will find several places that sell it either as a single, a three-pack, a four-pack or a six-pack. Obviously, the more you buy, the more you save.
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I paid almost as much for this as I would have had to pay in the store, and it has never worked since the day I installed it. I kept thinking that maybe it needed to be in awhile and the bad taste would go away, but it has not. Once in awhile it tastes better for a glass or two, but most of the water and ice are terrible. I had a filter in that came with the refrigerator for two years and never had any bad ice or water, and ever since I changed to this one it has all been bad, so there must be something wrong with the filter. It is supposed to be the exact filter that came with my fridge when it was new according to the website, but it does not work the same. I am not entirely sure if it is even new, perhaps they are recycled or maybe it was just defective, but it is too difficult to try to fix it through the internet and the mail, so now I will be forced to go to the local store and buy another after just paying for a new one. If I were you, I would just get your replacements at a local store, if it doesn't work right, at least you can take it back easily and exchange it. I will not order one this way again, I will use a hardware store or department or appliance store.
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This filter lasted about 7 months for our family of four. It provides crystal clear and very good tasting drinking water. It's very quick and easy to replace and it can be done in about 30 seconds. The only down side is the cost is a little on the high side and this filter only removes 4 different contaminants. I pay a few more dollars now and get the PUR 4396710 that removes 12 different contaminants including harmful substances like lead, mercury, asbestos. If you want good tasting water then this filter will do the trick. If you want good tasting and healthy water then get the PUR 4396710.
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The Electrolux EWF2CBPA Pure Advantage Refrigerator Water Filter was a breeze to order on Amazon and it showed up on time as promised.
