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The Latest Guide to Change GE Refrigerator Water Filter in 2024
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It is today more integral than ever to maintain the hygiene and transparency of your drinking water, considering the fact that unfiltered water is pregnant with a plethora of hazardous contaminants. That is why you must care for your drinking water—regardless of its source—and try to filter it properly before consumption, and the water dispensed from GE refrigerators is no exception.
GE refrigerator water filters deliver cutting-edge technologies and outstanding filtration capabilities, as long as you maintain them appropriately and replace them correctly. These filters come in diverse models to fit GE’s various refrigerator models, and understanding how to change them properly is of the utmost importance.
In this post today, we are going to learn everything about GE refrigerator water filters. We will talk about what these filters are, where they are located, how you can replace them, when you should replace them, and everything else you need to know about them.
What is a GE Refrigerator Water Filter?
GE refrigerator water filters are replacement filters designed specifically for GE refrigerators. They can strongly extract diverse impurities from drinking water so you can drink water from your GE refrigerator dispenser with peace of mind.
The company presents its refrigerator water filters in different models and specifications. Each of these models come with its distinctive features and compatibility. For example, MWF filters reduce 99% of lead and other contaminants, and XWFE filters come with Leak-Detecting Sensing Technology and reduce a plethora of contaminants.
Where Can I Find the Water Filter on a GE Refrigerator?
It depends on your GE refrigerator model. Some common locations where you can find these filters based on the refrigerator model are mentioned in the table below:
GE Refrigerator Model | Usual Location of Water Filter |
Side-by-Side Refrigerators | In the back, upper right corner of the fresh food compartment |
French Door Refrigerators | Inside the top-right or top-left corner, or in the door itself |
Bottom Freezer Refrigerators | Inside the top-right corner of the refrigerator |
Top Freezer Refrigerators | Inside the top-right corner of the refrigerator |
If you cannot discover the location of your GE refrigerator water filter based on the table above, you can check your user manual. Also, you can visit the GE Appliance official website to get help.
Another option is to use the Filter Finder tool on the GE Appliances Parts website to locate the correct filter for your model. Needless to say, you can always get help from the support team behind the company.
How to Find a GE Refrigerator Model Number
The model number of GE refrigerators might be on various parts of the device. This location generally depends on the model of your refrigerator. The table below clarifies where you can find this number based on the device model.
GE Refrigerator Model | Usual Location of Model Number |
Side-by-Side Refrigerators |
|
French Door Refrigerators |
|
Bottom Freezer Refrigerators |
|
Top Freezer Refrigerators |
|
If you still have issues in locating your GE refrigerator model number, you can obviously check your user manual, contact the company’s support team, or use GE’s official website and online tools.
What Kind of Water Filter Does My GE Refrigerator Use?
You can go through different procedures to find out which water filter your GE refrigerator uses. The first and easiest option is always to check your user manual where the list of compatible water filters is available. If that is not the case, you can check the model number of your existing water filter to discover its type.
In addition to these options, it is good to mention that GE Appliances offers an online tool to help you find the right filter for your refrigerator. You can submit your refrigerator’s model number on the GE Appliances Parts website before you get a list of compatible filters for your specific refrigerator model.
Another option is to check the filter housing inside your refrigerator where you can possibly find a label or instructions showing the type of filter needed. Lastly, if none of the mentioned options works, feel free to contact the customer support team for assistance in this regard.
Some common GE water filters and their features are as follows:
- MWF: This filter pulls out 99% of lead and other contaminants, and fits select GE side-by-side and bottom-freezer refrigerators.
- XWF: This filter benefits from activated carbon technology to extract impurities, and fits different GE refrigerator models.
- XWFE: This is an upgraded version of XWF that is armed with Leak-Detecting Sensing Technology and fits select GE French-door refrigerators.
- RPWFE: This filter comes with a longer life cycle and higher capacity, and fits specific GE refrigerator models such as certain French-door and bottom-freezer models.
- MSWF: This filter is compatible with select GE side-by-side refrigerators.
- GSWF: This filter is compatible with select GE top-freezer and bottom-freezer refrigerators.
The Correct Steps for Changing GE Refrigerator Water Filters
It is generally an effortless task to replace your GE refrigerator water filter. To handle this, you can follow the steps below in a row:
Step 1: Locate the Water Filter
To replace your GE refrigerator water filter, you initially need to know where your filter is located. Earlier in this post, we talked about the location of the water filter in GE refrigerators based on the appliance’s model. Make sure you check all mentioned areas to locate your water filter.
Step 2: Remove the Old Filter
Once you have located the old filter, try turning it clockwise (to the left) until it stops. Pull the filter down towards the outside of the housing to remove it. Since a small amount of water may drip out, it is suggested that you prepare a piece of cloth in advance.
Step 3: Install the New Filter
Now, remove the plastic cap from the new filter to prepare it for installation. Fill it with tap water to simplify the flow of water. The filter itself and the cartridge holder usually have an arrow sign for proper alignment of the filter. Insert the filter into the housing, and once the arrow signs collide, push the device up slowly. Finally, turn the filter clockwise (to the right) until it stops.
Step 4: Purge Air from the System
Run water through the dispenser for almost three minutes. This can equal to 1-2 gallons of water. It helps you clear and clean and system and prevent sputtering.
Step 5: Reset the Filter Indicator Light (if applicable)
If your water filter is equipped with a filter indicator, press and hold the Reset Water Filter button on the dispenser for about three seconds. Keep the button pressed until the light goes off or turns green.
Step 6: Check for Leaks
Once your water filter is reset, inspect the device, its housing, and the surrounding area to see if there are any signs of water leakage. Simply close the refrigerator door if you can see no leaks.
Step 7: Dispose of the Old Filter
The last step is to dispose of the old filter. Remember to throw the device away as per your local recycling guidelines and abide by environmental sustainability rules and regulations.
How Often to Change GE Refrigerator Water Filters?
Regarding the frequency of replacement, the majority of GE refrigerator water filters need to be changed every 6 months or after dispensing every 300 gallons of water—whichever comes first. You can follow this frequency for all major filters offered by the company, including MWF, XWF, XWFE, RPWFE, MSWF, and GSWF.
It is needless to say some specific criteria can shorten your filter replacement intervals. For example, if you can notice your water taste/odor has changed, or your water flow rate has decreased, it can be a sign that your filter may need a sooner replacement. Also, if you live in an area with hard water, you should change your GE filter sooner than the usual recommended period.
To find out when it is time for a replacement, you primarily need to pay attention to the filter indicator light. The majority of GE refrigerators come with this light that notifies you when it is time to change your filter. Just make sure you reset this light each time you have just installed the filter anew.
The key point here is to check the filter routinely for any sign of clogging or diminished water flow. This is even more essential during periods that you may have consumed a lot of water, or your water is hard. These regular checks ensure that you will always drink fresh, tasty, and pure water out of your dispenser.
How to Clean GE Refrigerator Water Filters
It is crucial to cleanse your GE refrigerator water if you want your drinking water to remain hygienic and safe. To do so, follow the steps below.
- Find the Filter: Locate your water filter inside the refrigerator. Earlier in this post, we discussed where you can find the filter in a GE refrigerator.
- Remove the Filter: Turn the filter counterclockwise and then pull it down and out of the housing to remove it. Have a cloth ready to collect possible spills.
- Prepare a Cleaning Solution: In a bucket, mix water and white vinegar in equal parts.
- Soak the Filter: Submerge the filter in the mixture for half an hour.
- Rinse the Filter: Rinse the filter under cold running water carefully.
- Tap the Filter: Tap it to dislodge larger particles with caution.
- Optional Soak: If needed, repeat steps 4, 5, and 6.
- Dry the Filter: Air dry the filter before you reinstall it.
- Reinstall the Filter: Put the filter back into the housing and turn it clockwise to tighten it.
- Flush the Filter: Run water through the dispenser for almost 3 minutes (approximately 1-2 gallons) to flush the filter.
- Reset the Filter Indicator: Press and hold the Reset Water Filter button for 3 seconds to reset it.
Are There Alternatives to GE Refrigerator Water Filters?
You may find a few alternatives to genuine GE refrigerator water filters on the market. Here are some options you can consider as an alternative:
- IcePure RWF0600A: This filter fits GE MWF refrigerator water filters. It comes with major certifications such as NSF/ANSI 42 and 372. IcePure’s filter is able to reduce a huge amount of contaminants, including 97.5% of chlorine, THM, VOCs, and particles. Plus, it is BPA-free, made with premium materials, and affordable.
- EveryDrop Refrigerator Water Filter 4: This filter fits multiple refrigerator brands, including GE. In addition to broad compatibility, it comes with powerful filtration.
- Waterdrop Plus WDP-F13 MWF: This filter fits GE refrigerators and is affordable. It comes with NSF certifications and employs coconut shell carbon block for filtration.
- Pureline Refrigerator Water Filter Replacement: This filter fits diverse refrigerator models, including GE. Although this is a more affordable alternative, it may not have the same certifications as the original filters.
It is crucial to remember that using non-OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) filters can give birth to innate risks such as lowered filtration efficiency and potential health hazards. Therefore, always make sure your alternative filter comes with powerful filtration and has major critical certifications.
Final Words
It is generally an effortless procedure to replace and maintain your GE refrigerator water filter. The replacement itself is an essential process that pays off over time in helping you drink cleansed, filtered water. Routine cleaning and replacement of these filters sweeten the taste of your drinking water, and more importantly, shield you against various waterborne diseases.
If you use a GE refrigerator, a general piece of advice is to stick to GE’s certified filters. However, the alternative filters we introduced today—including options from IcePure and Waterdrop—can come with diverse new benefits. Whichever filter you tend to use, just remember to replace it in time and through the correct steps we explained today.
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