Marvin McKinney
Water is important for everyone in the family, and having filtered water helps keep families healthy. It also makes it easier for kids to drink enough water to stay hydrated, improving skin texture and keeping family members healthier and more energetic.
The built-in filtration system transforms tap water into clean, fresh-tasting purified water.
How to Keep Your Dispenser Clean
You might not think an appliance dispenses clean water needs to be cleaned, but it’s important to keep your dispenser as clean as possible. Not only does it help with the taste, but germs and other contaminants can build up in your dispenser and negatively affect water quality.
Keeping your dispenser clean is simple and can be done in just a few steps. First, turn off your hot water and unplug the unit from the wall outlet. You will also want to make sure the water reservoir tank is empty. Once this is done, you can start the cleaning process.
Before you start, having all your supplies ready is best. You will need rubber gloves, a sponge or scrub brush, a microfiber cloth, and about a gallon of boiling water. Next, you will want to take your container and remove the baffle, air filter from the no-spill adapter, and water reservoir. Once you have removed these components, you will want to use your sponge or scrub brush to clean them gently. During this process, you should avoid dish soap, cleaning solutions (such as bleach or white vinegar), and other abrasive materials.
Once you have cleaned the water reservoir, baffle, and no-spill adapter, you can move on to the dispenser. Once again, turn off the hot water and unplug the unit from your wall outlet. You will then want to remove the water bottle and spigots and use your microfiber cloth to remove any mineral buildup from the surface. It is also important to rinse these components with cold water.
The last step in this process is to sanitize the dispenser. This can be done by backflushing with a bleach solution or using chemical disinfectants such as Aquamira’s Chlorine Treatment or Katadyn Purification Tablets. Once the dispenser is sanitized, you can replace all the parts and reassemble the unit. It is best to do this every three to six months, depending on usage.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Cold, filtered water at your fingertips is a nice convenience. It’s even more convenient when your water filter dispenser works properly. However, like all appliances, things can occasionally go wrong. That’s why it’s important to know how to troubleshoot common issues with your dispenser so you can fix them and get back to enjoying ice-cold, filtered water on demand.
First, you will want to check whether the water filter indicator light is still illuminated. This light usually indicates that it’s time to replace the filter. If it has been lit for a long time, you must press and hold the reset button to turn it off. You can typically find this button on a panel in front of the refrigerator. Most models require you to press and hold the button for about five seconds.
Another common issue is that the water dispenser doesn’t dispense anything. If you have this issue, there may be a problem with the pump that pumps water from the refrigerator into the filter. If so, the pump likely needs to be replaced or repaired.
Leaking around the valve is another possibility, and it can sometimes be difficult to diagnose. The best way to test this is to listen for telltale dripping sounds, which should stop once the water system is stable. You can try to fix this by tightening the valve, but replacing the whole filter housing for the most effective long-term solution is a good idea.
You may also experience problems with your dispenser if the air is trapped in the water supply lines. This could happen inside the filter itself or at any point before or after it in your plumbing system. If this is the case, flushing your system for a few minutes should clear out any trapped air and allow the water to flow normally.
Faults with the main control board that governs many dispenser parts may also occur. These can be more complex to diagnose, and repairing them may involve working with an appliance repair professional.
Replacement Filters
Most models require regular filter replacement, but this is a minor form of maintenance that most users can complete easily without any specialized knowledge. The filters are generally relatively inexpensive and available in various shapes and sizes.
Dispenser filters often use a combination of different modes of filtration to address a broad spectrum of contaminants. Adsorption filters are effective for chlorine and other similar substances, while ion exchange uses a resin to remove harmful ions from the water supply. Reverse osmosis filters are more advanced and typically remove fluoride, heavy metals and other contaminants by forcing the water through a semipermeable membrane.
Water dispensers can make a big difference in the quality of your home drinking water, particularly if you live in an area with poor or untreated municipal water. However, they do not remove all contaminants from the water supply and may still contain unhealthy or undesirable chemicals in small quantities. In these cases, a water test can help you determine whether a dispenser would benefit your household.
Some filters will also leave behind beneficial minerals, such as fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay and is necessary for healthy development in children. Similarly, some municipalities add chlorination to their drinking water supplies to protect against disease-causing pathogens. However, this can react with naturally-occurring elements in the water to produce toxins called trihalomethanes (THMs) that can cause asthma, bladder cancer and other serious conditions.
While most manufacturers offer a wide range of certifications for their dispensers, it’s important to remember that none of them can remove every single contaminant from the water. Even the best filter will occasionally allow some contaminants through, so it’s important to order a water test before committing to a particular dispenser.
If you are concerned about water quality, consider adding a filtration system to your kitchen. A water filter dispenser is an affordable option that provides many of the same benefits as more advanced whole-house purification systems. However, they are more portable and are great for families or individuals who want to improve the taste of their home water.
Getting Started
A water filtration dispenser is a great way to give everyone in your household easy access to fresh, clean drinking water. It’s also a great way to reduce the amount of plastic waste your family generates by eliminating the need for single-use bottles.
Whether you’re looking for a solution that dispenses cold or hot water, has a digital display to let you know when the filters are running low or need to be cleaned, or is BPA-free, we’ve got you covered. Our countertop filtered water dispensers are affordable and easy to install, making it possible for families of all sizes to enjoy the benefits of healthy hydration daily.
Many municipal water supplies are treated with chlorine to keep them clean and free of germs and bacteria, which can leave behind unpleasant chemical tastes and odors in the water. Water filters can remove these impurities, as well as calcium and magnesium, which can cause water hardness, damage pipes, and cause other problems.
The most common types of water filtration systems available are carbon or reverse osmosis. Carbon filtration works by trapping contaminants in a carbon filter, while reverse osmosis uses a membrane to eliminate nearly all contaminants and particles from your water supply. These systems are plumbed in, either to your kitchen sink or a secondary faucet like a wet bar or beverage center, and can be installed by a handy homeowner or a professional plumber.
If you’re considering a new water filtration system for your home, talk to a water expert about your local drinking water condition and how a water testing process can help evaluate the best solutions to remedy your water. Once you have the right system for your home, the maintenance required is minimal with most systems requiring only cleaning and sanitizing once per year.
Getting the kids to drink water is challenging, but with a filtered water dispenser in your home, they’ll be more likely to get their recommended daily water intake. Not only will it help keep them hydrated and active, but studies have shown that regularly drinking filtered water improves skin texture and overall health.