A refrigerator is a significant investment, especially if equipped with a water dispenser and ice maker. The continual cost of replacing the water or ice water filter can seem daunting. If you’re looking to save a bit, you may have heard of non-OEM filters but aren’t sure how they’ll affect your warranty. Let’s discuss replacing your water filter and the difference between OEM and non-OEM filter products.
Why do I need to change my refrigerator water filter?
You need to change your refrigerator’s water filter to ensure that the water you drink and the ice you use remain filtered. Over time, contaminants can bog down the filter’s media, which can become a harbor for bacteria.
The recommendation for how often you should change your water and ice filter is every six months.
Many refrigerators have a filter indicator light that reminds you when to change the filter. However, this indicator light is on a timer and does not indicate the quality of the filter.
What type of refrigerator water filter do I need?
Each refrigerator brand and model may require a different type of refrigerator water filter.
Another thing that you need to take into consideration is whether you want an OEM or aftermarket water filter.
The Filter Finder Tool makes determining which refrigerator water filter you need easy. Select the brand and answer a few simple questions about your refrigerator.
You can also search for your refrigerator water filter by part number. Whether you’re looking for a Samsung refrigerator water filter, GE refrigerator water filter, LG refrigerator water filter or any other refrigerator water filter, FiltersFast.com is here to help.
What is the difference between OEM refrigerator filters and aftermarket refrigerator filters?
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, which means that the filter was made by the same company that made your refrigerator. OEM filters are often referred to as genuine. Aftermarket fridge filters, also known as non-OEM, compatible, or off-brand, are made by various companies and designed to fit your refrigerator.
The main differences between an OEM refrigerator water filter and an aftermarket filter are cost, performance, and contaminant reduction capability.
Are non-OEM filters any good?
Non-OEM filters are often the most budget-friendly choice.
If you’re considering purchasing an aftermarket refrigerator water filter, you’ll want to ensure it has NSF certification. If a water filter is NSF-certified, this guarantees it meets the general standards set by the National Sanitation Foundation for the contaminants it claims to reduce or remove. The most common NSF certifications for water filters are NSF-42 and NSF-53. You can learn more about NSF standards in this blog post.
If you’re looking for affordable refrigerator water filter replacements you can trust, Filters Fast® Brand Refrigerator Water Filters have been tested and NSF-certified.
Shop Filters Fast® Refrigerator Filters
What about counterfeit filters?
Counterfeit refrigerator water filters differ from aftermarket filters because they appear genuine. But be careful — looks can be deceiving! Counterfeit filters often seem exactly like the OEM refrigerator filter but with a few subtle differences.
For example, the packaging and filter casing may look the same. But, upon further inspection, you might find a sticker on the OEM packaging is printed on the counterfeit, or the cap might be a slightly different shade of orange.
Another telling sign that a filter might be counterfeit is if the price is significantly less than the OEM’s. If the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Most aftermarket refrigerator filter brands will not have the same branding as the manufacturer, and it will be apparent that a different company makes the filter. While aftermarket filters are cheaper than OEM filters, it should be clear that the aftermarket filter is from a third party and not the original manufacturer.
The use of a counterfeit filter may void your warranty. You can learn more about the risk of purchasing counterfeit filters by visiting filteritout.org.
We found a counterfeit filter for sale on eBay and decided to investigate. Check out our YouTube video to see what we found:
Will using an off-brand refrigerator water filter void your refrigerator’s warranty?
Unfortunately, no standard answer exists for whether using an aftermarket filter will void your fridge warranty. This subject may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so we recommend you do your research before purchasing a filter to understand your rights as a consumer.
According to this article on the Federal Trade Commission’s website, “Companies can’t void your warranty or deny warranty coverage solely because you use a part made by another company or because you get repairs done or other services from someone not associated with the company unless the company provides the part or service for free under warranty. Companies may, however, refuse warranty coverage for defects or damage caused by third-party parts or third-party services”, according to the Warranty Act. This means manufacturers can’t threaten to void warranties or deny claims due to using aftermarket parts. This applies across the board, from refrigerator filters to car parts/repairs.
What can void your warranty?
Damage caused by incorrect installation, using the wrong filter, force-fitting, etc., can result in denied coverage under warranty.
Filters You Can Trust
If you are concerned about your warranty, buying the filter the manufacturer recommends is always the safest bet. To avoid counterfeit water filters, purchase from a trustworthy retailer.
FiltersFast.com is a trusted retailer of OEM and compatible refrigerator water filters for 60+ top refrigerator brands. Find the refrigerator water filter that fits your needs today!
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