Tap water in most states is considered safe for drinking, but regardless, it is advisable to filter every drop of water you drink in your house. As water travels to your tap, it passes through miles and miles of pipes and may come into contact with bacteria that can cause diseases. Filtering protects you from many health complications which can arise from consuming tap water. Today, you can find different types of Refrigerator water filter brands that boast different specifications. This article looks at the five mistakes to avoid when purchasing a refrigerator water filter.

When Should You Purchase A Refrigerator Water Filter

The following are the reasons to buy or replace an existing refrigerator water filter.
  • Your water tastes different - When your water has a different weird taste than the usual one, it is time to get a refrigerator water filter.
  • Alternating water pressure - The refrigerator is dispensing water at varying pressure, meaning that the current water filter is no longer effective.
  • Small ice-cubes - When the refrigerator produces small ice-cubes or produces them in less quantity than before, you need to purchase a new refrigerator water filter.

5 Mistakes To Avoid When Purchasing A Refrigerator Water Filter

1. Failing To Test Your Water

Although most people overlook this step, it is important to test the properties of your drinking water regardless of the source, whether a borehole or from a city water plant. Understanding the impurities in your water is the best thing you can do for your family.

When a test is done on your drinking water, a detailed report is subsequently produced establishing all the impurities and bacteria present in the water. This assessment can be done by a private laboratory or a water filter manufacturer who can also recommend the best water filter to buy for your home’s drinking water. Make sure you read the contents of the water filter recommended to make sure it can filter the properties of your drinking water.

2. Buying The Wrong Brand

Just like it is important to find the right filter for the properties of your water, each refrigerator brand has a filter specifically made for that brand. In most cases, a refrigerator will work well with a generic water filter. However, it is advisable to match your filter to the brand of your fridge.

If you want to buy a generic filter, make sure it is specifically manufactured to filter drinking water and not bathwater. This will ensure that you do not get surprises whenever you filter water for the first time.

3. Choosing The Wrong Fit

Ensure the water filter and your fridge are compatible and can effectively filter out contaminants without putting your health at risk. Every refrigerator water filter has specifications that give more details to the buyer about the product. You should always read those specifications to establish if the two will fit inside your fridge.

4. Not Looking At The Right Certifications

When you decide to use water filters for your drinking water needs, you give your trust to the corporation that makes that specific filter. To help keep this trust, companies are encouraged and mandated to have certifications that are overseen by an overall agency that protects the interests of the consumer.

These certifications look for several factors, including the conditions of the facilities where the filter was made, the filter’s components, and warranties, among other details. Companies can also become green compliant, which helps showcase the company’s dedication to saving the environment. Certifications like NSF, the National Sanitation Foundation, and WQA or Water Quality Association ensure that the filters are certified.

5. Going For The Cheapest Option

Water filters are quite expensive, and depending on your drinking water needs, you might need to spend a lot to get the best fit for your refrigerator. The problem arises when you go for the cheapest option on the market instead of the most value for your money. Cheap doesn’t always mean good quality, and it can prove to be expensive in the long run, posing a great risk to your family’s health.

Before settling on a specific water filter, ensure the filter possesses the needed specifications to safely filter your water and make it healthier for your consumption. The warranty should be well established, and if the product is defective, the necessary claims should be made to the distributors.

When looking to provide your family with healthy drinking water, you need to find a filter that will efficiently provide contaminant-free drinking water. These tips should help you avoid losing money to mediocre products that might put your health in jeopardy.