Choosing and Maintaining Inline Water Filters

Inline water filters are commonly used for refrigerators and ice makers. They make the drinking water in your home taste better. A variety of inline filter systems are made to fit the refrigerator in any house. They are also available for use in an RV for traveling. Some schools and public buildings use a similar product for treatment in drinking fountains. Portable styles are used by people on backpacking trips to collect from streams or rivers and purify for drinking.

This particular home water treatment system gets its name from where it is installed; it fits inline with the water pipe. Inline models are considered point of use filtering systems. Carbon is the most commonly used media in these filters. Carbon is effective for removing sediment, chlorine and many organic materials. It is also one of the most affordable methods, both in the cost of the system and the replacement water filter cartridges.

You can install an inline filter easily yourself. The directions included with all models are easy to follow. Most brands include the fittings you will need to complete the job. Check to make sure the treatment system you have chosen includes everything before you leave the store. If they aren’t included with the water filter, they are cheap and easy to find in hardware stores and home improvement centers.

The water filter cartridges are disposable and will need to be replaced. For most homes, changing the inline cartridge twice a year is sufficient. If you use a significant amount of water and ice, you may need to change it more frequently. Look for a treatment system with easy access. Many brands offer easy access from the front panel of your refrigerator for replacing cartridges. The newest technology is a twist and lock system, which allows the filter to be locked in place with a simple twist of the filter. This arrangement is easier for maintenance.