How Does A Refrigerator Determine When The Water Filter Needs To Be Replaced?

Question

I have a new GE refrigerator with a water filter with a capacity of 170 gallons.  I use less than 0.5 pints of water per day.  At this rate, the filter should last at least 2720 days.  However, after about six months of use the water filter replacement indicator light shows that I need to replace the filter.  This is my first refrigerator with a water filter.
EDIT
Prior to this refrigerator water filter, I have never used any kind of water filter.
I have never had a problem with odor or taste of the water.  The water has a light brown color for a few hours after water is flushed through the fire hydrant near my house.
END EDIT
How does the refrigerator determine when the water filter needs to be replaced?
What issues could I encounter if I do not replace the filter?
Refrigerator model GSE25GGHKCC
Filter XWF

mark f · Accepted Answer

The replacement cycle is clock based not usage based, so if your usage is below average you can probably extend the interval to almost a year, but as Ed mentions, they can begin to introduce problems if left unchanged too long. (Early fridges with water and ice had NO filtration)

Correct answer by mark f on January 15, 2021

manassehkatz-Moving 2 Codidact · Answer

It is possible that:

The filter replacement indicator is based purely on time - I doubt this.
The filter replacement indicator is based on number of uses. This is simpler to calculate (i.e., count the switch presses instead of timing the water flow to determine volume used) and would be reasonable, except that it wouldn't distinguish between "cup of water" and "pitcher of water".

But there is one more possibility that comes to mind:
Ice, ice baby!
The water for the icemaker normally goes through the same filter. For many people this is actually more important than the cold water dispenser, because the cold water dispenser can always be replaced with a Brita or similar filter pitcher or a sink tap filter.

paul · Answer

Thanks to all for your input.
I will not replace the filter for now.   I will be on the lookout for issues such as slow water flow.
I was able to reset (turn off) the water filter replacement indicator light.   I did not do anything with the water filter.  However, I did hear some noise coming from the filter for a few seconds after the reset.

How Does A Refrigerator Determine When The Water Filter Needs To Be Replaced?

3 Answers

Ice, ice baby!

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