Sub-Zero 7042798 Air Purification Filter: What It Does and When to Replace It

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Ask most Sub-Zero owners about their water filter and they'll know exactly what you mean. Ask about their air filter and you'll often get a blank look. That's the 7042798 — the genuine Sub-Zero air purification cartridge — and it's quietly one of the most important parts in your refrigerator. Here's what it does and when to replace it.

Genuine Sub-Zero 7042798 refrigerator air purification cartridge

The quick answer

The Sub-Zero 7042798 is the genuine air purification cartridge for most Sub-Zero refrigerators. It sits inside the fresh-food compartment and continuously scrubs the air to reduce odors and slow spoilage. Sub-Zero recommends replacing it about once a year. (It replaces the older part number 7007067, so if you see that number, the 7042798 is your current genuine cartridge.)

👉 Need one? Here's the genuine Sub-Zero 7042798 air purification filter.

What does the 7042798 actually do?

Your Sub-Zero is famous for keeping food fresh longer than an ordinary refrigerator, and the air purification cartridge is a big reason why. As air circulates inside the fresh-food compartment, it passes through the 7042798, which works to remove odors and reduce ethylene gas — the natural gas that fruits and vegetables give off as they ripen. Left unchecked, ethylene speeds up spoilage and makes your produce go soft and brown faster. By scrubbing it from the air, the cartridge helps your food last, and it keeps strong smells from migrating between items (so your butter doesn't taste like last night's leftovers).

In short: fresher produce, longer, and a cleaner-smelling fridge.

Why it's the most overlooked filter in your kitchen

The air cartridge does its job silently, out of sight, with no dispenser and no obvious "change me" moment the way a water filter has. There's no taste cue to remind you. That's exactly why so many Sub-Zero owners go years without replacing it — and why a spent cartridge is one of the most common reasons a fridge starts to hold odors or produce spoils quicker than it used to.

How often should you replace it?

Plan on replacing the 7042798 about once a year. A cartridge has a finite capacity to absorb odors and ethylene, and once it's saturated it simply stops working — even though it looks the same. An easy trick: pair it with your water filter change. Many owners swap both at the same time so the air cartridge never gets forgotten.

Sub-Zero water and air filter combo pack including the 7042798 air purification cartridge

Signs your air cartridge is due

The inside of your fridge holds odors or smells stale
Produce is softening or spoiling faster than it used to
Flavors seem to transfer between foods
It's simply been a year (or you can't remember the last change)

Which Sub-Zero models use the 7042798?

The 7042798 is used across most Sub-Zero refrigeration that features air purification, including Classic Series (BI), Designer Series, and PRO models. It's a small cartridge that clips into the fresh-food section — no tools required. If your current cartridge reads 7042798 or the older 7007067, this is your replacement.

Genuine vs. aftermarket

As with water filters, you'll find cheaper look-alikes sold as 7042798 replacements. The catch is that an air cartridge's whole job is the media inside it — the material that actually captures odors and ethylene. Genuine Sub-Zero cartridges use the correct media in the correct amount, so you get the full year of performance the design intends. Bargain versions often under-deliver or quit early, which defeats the point of having air purification at all.

The easy move: change air and water together

Because both filters are on a similar schedule, the simplest approach is to replace them together and never think about it again:

👉 Sub-Zero 7042798 air filter on its own
👉 Water + air combo pack — the 7042798 paired with the 4204490 water filter in one order

We stock genuine Sub-Zero parts, ship most orders within 24 hours, and include free shipping and returns.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 7042798 the same as the 7007067?

The 7042798 is the current genuine air purification cartridge and replaces the older 7007067. If your fridge or paperwork references 7007067, order the 7042798.

Do I really need the air filter, or just the water filter?

They do different jobs. The water filter cleans your drinking and ice water; the 7042798 air cartridge keeps the air fresh and helps food last longer. For the full Sub-Zero freshness experience, you want both.

How do I know when the 7042798 is used up?

There's no light or taste cue, so go by time — about once a year — or by symptoms like lingering odors and produce spoiling faster. When in doubt, replace it.