Kenmore Water Filter, Models 38454
...A High-Quality Undercounter Filter

Who Needs It?

A quality carbon block undercounter filter is for those who want not only better tasting water but a high quality of purity in their water as well. Being an undercounter filter means that it is much bigger than a faucet mount filter and hence there is more carbon block material filtering the water, increasing the removal of pollutants. It's not the highest level of removal of pollutants. A water distiller or a reverse osmosis filter can give you purer water, but at a much slower rate. The undercounter model as opposed to the countertop model is great for those who have adequate undercounter room and want their filter to be out of sight. It also has its own separate faucet requiring installation that drills through the sink or countertop.

It's Claim to "Excellence"

Out of the hundreds of carbon water filters, what recommends the Kenmore Water Filter, model 38454? The Kenmore 38454 tied for first place with the Aqua Pure APDWS-1000 in the category of undersink carbon based filters in Consumer Reports 2007 ratings which compare filters on lead removal, chloroform removal, flow rate, clogging and bad-taste removal. In fact it was selected as "Best Buy" by Consumer Reports because of it's low cost and high quality.

All this sounds good, but consumer reviews are often negative. Here are a few reviews:

We bought this water filter by consumer reports' recommendation and are very disappointed. First, the water tastes worse than tap water. Second, it was a nightmare to install...had to go to the hardware store twice and still got leakage. Third, in less than one month after installing it the faucet broke. This is a plastic, thin and fragile faucet and it broke during normal operation. Strongly do not recommend it.

Here is what I learned. It does not come with a filter element! You'll have to buy one separately which bumps the price up $16.00. ...The filtered water is only marginally better tasting than tap water to be frank.

Pros - It filters nicely. You can definitely taste the difference in the water. Cons - Cheap construction. My first one is a couple years old and still working. My second one never worked right. I snapped the thin plastic dispenser when cleaning the third one and now it doesn't work.

It's Features/Advantages

I was unable to find much information on the features of this filter, it's rate of filtering, it's micron rating, it's method of monitoring, etc.

Disadvantages

The disadvantages of the Kenmore Water Filter, model 38454 are the same as the disadvantages of any carbon filter. There are four elements that affect the quality of filtration: 1) The amount of time that the water is in contact with the carbon, 2) The density of the activated carbon, 3) The quantity of the carbon, and 4) The amount of water that has gone through the filter which becomes increasingly ineffective the longer it is used until it needs to be replaced. In short, there is a relative element to the filtration. It is relative to these four factors. As opposed to a purification system such as distillation which removes all impurities completely, except for VOCs which are usually remove by other filters.

The second disadvantage of carbon filters is that they cannot remove many micro organisms such as bacteria and viruses. They cannot remove toxic minerals, nitrates, fluoride or soluble salts without other kinds of filters.

What Contaminants Does It Remove?

The Kenmore Water Filter, model 38454 removes a wide variety of contaminants including Chlorine, some Lead, Chloroform, sediment, bad taste and odor.

Cost

1. Initial cost: $47.00

2. Cost of replacement filter cartridge: $17.00 (every 6 months)

3. Capacity: ?

4. Cost per gallon: ?

Where to Purchase?

sears.com

At A Glance

For Further Information

To learn more about this kind of filter and other faucet mount filters go to Kenmore Water Filter 38454.