FridgeFilters.com Blog

How Much Are You Paying for Tap Water?

At Fridge Filters, we're big fans of filtered water. We're not such big fans of disposable plastic water bottles. That's because water you buy at the store can cost anywhere from 50-2700 times more than filtered water from your faucet.

Some supporters of bottled water may claim that their bottled water is from fresh mountain springs or secluded mineral wells on remote islands, however those claims may not be true. Recently, several businesses have been duped by water companies advertising "fresh, great-tasting spring water" when, in fact, it is merely municipal tap water. 

 

A plumbing company in Chicago recently filed a lawsuit against Nestlé Waters North America for this terrible lie in advertising. It was quoted "Nestlé Waters' failure to discloser this critical fact caused consumers to purchase five-gallon jugs thatthey wouldn't have otherwise purchased... and caused consumers to pay more" than municipal water costs.

 

Nestlé Waters North America is believed to have a 32% market share in the bottled water industry and sells brands like Ice Mountain, Poland Spring, Arrowhead, Deer Park, and Nestlé Pure Life. With so many brands under one corporate giant, this lawsuit could change the face of the bottled water industry. There is already an increased focus on bottled water sources, labeling, cost, and environmental issues surrounding production. 

 

Over the years, there have been other lawsuits similar to this one. Even major companies like Pepsi and Coca-Cola have been involved in them. At the end of the day, it's important to know that tap water in America is some of the best you can get in the world. Why pay 2700 times more when you can get the same great, quality water right from the filter? 

 

What Are Contaminants?

In water filtration, we use the word "contaminant" frequently. But what exactly does it mean? A contaminant is any one of a number of unwanted things in something. Food, drink, land, and filters are all things which can be contaminated.

 

Contaminants are vastly different which is why it is so difficult to make filters to remove all contaminants. There are also differing opinions regarding contaminants. Some people believe fluoride is a contaminant, while the EPA does not regard it as such. Because the opinions and beliefs are so varied, there are many filters available to help meet your needs.

 

When you learn about contaminants and the potential threats they pose, don't get scared of the tap water! Remember, America still has one of the best drinking water systems in the world and we are very lucky. First, you should have your water tested. You can get an at-home water test kit, or you can contact a local plumber to help you. You can also get easy to install point of use filters like refrigerator water filters, faucet filters, and shower filters to remove many common contaminants. You can also install a whole house filter system on your home's water line to filter all water coming into your home.

 

When in doubt, don't hesitate to contact our customer service team by phone at 800-683-8353 or by email at support@fridgefilters.com.

 

4396710 and 4396841 – Which Filter Do I Need?

By Megan Vick

 

Multiple times a day, our customer service team gets phone calls regarding the PUR refrigerator water filter for Whirlpool/Kenmore. PUR makes the filter for both Whirlpool and Kenmore brands and it does have many product numbers. Both 4396710 and 4396841 will fit the same in your fridge, but the performance may differ. Here is a quick way to help determine which filter is right for you!

 

4396710

This is the “Advanced” filter for your model refrigerator. This filter is slightly slower than its “Deluxe” counterpart, but it removes more contaminants. It is also NSF tested and certified to meet or exceed NSF standards 42 and 53.

 

The 4396710 filter is great if you have heavy metals, pesticides, chlorine, and particulates in your water. We particularly recommend this filter over the Deluxe filter if you have well water, live in a more rural area, or if pesticides are used frequently in your community for landscaping.

 

PRO TIP: If your refrigerator has “Fast Fill” or “PUR Measure” on the water dispenser, do not use this filter. Your water dispenser’s performance will decrease significantly.

 

4396841

This is the “Deluxe” filter for your model fridge. This filter is also known as the “Fast Fill” filter or “PUR Measure” filter due to its higher gallon per minute output. If your water dispenser has either of the two phrases on it, make certain you use this filter instead of the “Advanced” because your water dispenser’s performance will suffer.

 

The 4396841 filter is excellent if you have lead, mercury, chlorine, or particulates in your water. It is also NSF tested and certified to meet or exceed NSF standards 42 and 53. We recommend this filter to customers who have municipal water and want a little extra filtering of their drinking water.

 

If you have any questions about which filter to use, don’t hesitate to contact our customer service team by phone 800-683-8353 or by email at support@fridgefilters.com. We are more than happy to assist you!

Happy Filtering!

 

Fridge Filters 101: How Often Should I Change My Refrigerator Filter?

All refrigerator manufacturers recommend that you change your refrigerator filter at least every six
months--more often if have hard water or if your water has an odor or an unpleasant taste!

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Fridge Filters 101: How Do I Remove My Fridge Filter?

Most Refrigerators:

1. Twist the old filter a quarter or half-turn counterclockwise

2. Pull the filter straight out and discard
   

 

Frigidaire PureSource & PureSourcePlus - Only

1. Unscrew the filter cup and dump out the water
2. Pull the old filter straight down and discard

Frigidaire PureSource2 - Only

1. Press the button to the right of the filter to release it
2. Pull the old filter straight out and discard

Whirlpool & KitchenAid Base-Grille "Push Button" - Only

1. Press the button to the left of the filter to release it
2. Pull the filter straight out, and remove the reusable color-keyed cap from the end
3. Discard the old filter

 

Friendly reminders:

• If your filter is located in the base grille of your fridge, don't throw away your reusable knob!
• Don't worry-- nearly all refrigerators will automatically shut the water off while the filter is out.
  

 

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A season of change

The cooler weather is finally here! Everything is changing as nature prepares for the upcoming winter months. After a long hot summer I am really excited to feel the temperature drop and see the leaves changing color. Of course, the changing seasons are also a great reminder to check on the little things around the house too. Here's a little checklist for you with a couple quick home maintenance tips.

• Inspect and (possibly) clean out your gutters
• Clean or replace dirty furnace filters
• Test smoke and CO monitors (especially if you use your fireplace in the winter)
• Check for gaps in caulk and weather-stripping around windows and doors
• Check your roof for missing shingles, cracks in flashing and wind damage

While you're busy preparing your home for the colder weather, go ahead and check on your water filter too. One place you don't want to see the colors changing is in the water coming from your refrigerator. Most refrigerator filters need to be replaced about every 6 months to insure the best water quality. If you haven't changed your fridge filter in a while, go ahead and add that to your list. I promise you won't be disappointed with the results.

FridgeFilters Reviews from Real Customers: "Keeping it Easy"

Thanks so much for all the great comments again this week! Today's feedback comes from Sally from Silver Springs NV, Francis from St. Louis MO, and Elizabeth from Thornton CO.

Easy to find the right part...

"Fridgefilters hosts a web site that is extremely easy to navigate. As part of their excellent customer service, they send you email reminders to reorder, the frequency of which you determine yourself. Their prices are extremely competitive, and their shipping options are many. I highly recommend Fridgefilters for all of your home filter needs." - Francis R.

Easy to order...

"I am very happy with the quality of the merchandise and extremely happy with the ease in which it was ordered and sent to me. I plan to keep ordering as long as they have the product I am looking for. I would certainly reccomend it to anyone looking for a good value and quick service." - Sally M.

Easy to re-purchase...

"FridgeFilters has been great to work with. We had one issue with the product one of the times we ordered and they sent us out a replacement within 24 hours. They have exceptional customer service! Their email reminders make it very easy to re-purchase as well!" - Elizabeth K.

FridgeFilters Reviews from Real Customers: "Consistently great customer service"

We really appreciate the extra time you take to tell us how we're doing and provide reviews on our service. Today's feedback comes from Sarah from San Francisco, CA; David from Aiken, SC. and Raymond from Florida. Thank you very much for the great feedback!

Great service...

"I have ordered many times from this vendor and they are consistently excellent. Great service on the phone, too, if you have to call them." - Sarah L.

Great prices...

"Great prices, easy purchase process, and they don't soak you on shipping. Order was at my house in just a couple of days! Great folks to deal with...thanks!" - David J.

Prompt delivery...

"After looking for these filters in my local stores and unable to find them, I went on line and found just what I was looking for. No hassle, no fuss. Decided to go for 3 filters at a time. Was pleased with ease of ordering, promptness of delivery and of course the exact product I was wanting. Thanks." - Raymond R.

FridgeFilters Featured Customer: Great Expectations

Jay lives in Commerce, MI, a small town outside of Detroit where he likes to do a little woodworking on the side, making cabinets and other casings. Back in 2005, he bought a new refrigerator and when it was time to order his water filters he went online to search for the right part. He placed his first order with FridgeFilters.com, because "your site was the easiest to find the right model". Now, six years later he still buys his water filters from FridgeFilters.

I asked Jay what helped us keep his business all these years. "It's about the service you provide," he explains, "I always get the right filter. That's what you want from an internet transaction, especially once you have done it for 6 years." Jay tells me he has even stopped using the filter change reminder sticker that comes with the new filters. "I don't even get the sticker out of the box, because I know I will get an email reminder [from FridgeFilters] about a month before I need to change my filter."

"A lot of companies miss the boat with commodity products," Jay says, "I have a table saw with a blade that has to be replaced. I would love to get a reminder from them when it is time to change it." There are a lot of e-stores competing for your business, but not all of them provide the same level of service. "After at least 6 years, fridgefilters.com continues to exceed my expectations and out do everyone else on the web in terms of doing ecommerce right."

Many thanks to Jay M. or Commerce, MI, for taking the time to share his story with me.

Like Clockwork

April is a very busy woman. She works for Dwayne Johnson & Associates, S.C. an accounting firm in Waukesha, WI. In addition to the work she does in reception and billing, she also handles all of the online orders for the company. I asked April what she looks for when she shops online and she explained that there are two major factors on her list.

The first thing is to order from someone you can trust to do things right the first time. Because Dwayne Johnson is a company that is built around trust and integrity, two very important values when you manage financial details for your clients, they expect the same from other businesses. April tells me she has ordered refrigerator filters from FridgeFilters for the last 5 years and has never once "had to use customer service ever" for an issue.

The second thing she looks for is prompt service. Ordering a water filter is "something you need to do and get it out of the way" April explains, because "you want to put the energy into your clients, not ordering a water filter." In a fast-paced business environment time is a valuable commodity and needs to be invested wisely. Having an email reminder when it's time to order new filters and a quick click re-order option saves her time. "The efficiency of what you offer is very important to me," April says, "I found the right place online to buy filters".

A very special thank you to April B. of Dwayne Johnson & Associates for taking the time to speak with me today!