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Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a popular method of purifying drinking water. It removes impurities from tap water using pressure and filters. RO systems are expensive, however, and require regular maintenance.
Fridge Water Filters are a great alternative to RO. They remove impurities from tap water without requiring any special equipment. In fact, they work just as well as RO systems.
In this article, I’ll compare the two most common types of water filtration systems: RO vs. Fridge Water Filters. I’ll also share with you how to choose the right type of system for your home.
Comparison of removed contaminants between the reverse osmosis and fridge water
Reverse osmosis removes contaminants from tap water, but not all of them. Some contaminants remain behind, including arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, cysts, fluorides, lead, nitrates and nitrites, radium, selenium, total dissolved solids (Tds), and zinc.
Fridge water filters remove most of those contaminants, but not all of the ones listed above. Instead, they reduce chlorine taste and odor, zinc, copper, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic.
Reverse osmosis VS Fridge water filter
Here is the comparison between the Reverse osmosis and the Fridge water filter:
1. Which One Eliminates Maximum Contaminants
There are two types of refrigerator water filtration systems: reverse osmosis and fridge water filters. Both work well, but which one eliminates the most contaminants?
RO systems use a semi-perforated membrane to filter out contaminants. These membranes are made of polymers or cellulose acetate fibers that allow only certain molecules through. Activated carbon is used to remove chemicals and heavy metals.
Fridge water filters use activated carbon and ion exchange resins to remove contaminants. Ion exchange resins are charged positively or negatively depending on whether they attract positive or negative ions.
Both types of filters remove large particles, but RO systems can remove anything that can harm you, whereas fridge water filters can only remove small particles.
So if you’re concerned about removing harmful substances from your water, then you should consider getting a reverse osmosis system.
But if you’re worried about removing pesticides and herbicides from your water, then a fridge water filter might be right for you.
2. Which One Is Consistent and Reliable
A reverse osmosis water filter works by removing impurities from tap water. Reverse osmosis removes chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, and bacteria. But it doesn’t remove minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals are important for healthy bones and teeth.
On the other hand, a fridge water filter only removes chlorine and fluoride. It does nothing to remove heavy metals, bacteria, or minerals.
So which one is consistent and dependable? Well, neither one is consistently reliable. There are times when the reverse osmosis system may produce cloudy water, and there are times when the fridge water filter produces cloudy water.
But overall, the reverse osmosis water filtering system is consistently reliable. It’s the most efficient method of producing clean drinking water. It’s also the most expensive option.
However, the fridge water filter isn’t consistently reliable. Sometimes it produces cloudy water, and sometimes it doesn’t.
So which one should you invest in? Well, if you’re concerned about getting consistent results, then you should definitely invest in a reverse osmosis system. Otherwise, you might be disappointed with the results.
3. Which One Uses Less Energy
Both work well, but they differ in how they operate. Reverse osmosis uses pressure to force water through membranes that remove contaminants. Refrigerator filters use electricity to pump water through activated carbon filters that remove impurities.
Both methods reduce the number of contaminants in your tap water but reverse osmosis uses less energy. You can save $100 or more per year using a reverse osmosis system instead of a fridge water filter.
4. Which One Is Better for the Environment
Reverse osmosis is a process where water passes through a semi-permeable membrane. Water molecules pass through the membrane, leaving behind dissolved minerals and contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes impurities from tap water without using any chemicals or plastic materials.
A fridge water filter works differently. Instead of passing water through a membrane, it uses carbon blocks to trap particles. These blocks are placed inside the refrigerator. As the water flows past the blocks, the particles become trapped and remain in the water.
Both types of water filters work well. But reverse osmosis is better for the environment because it doesn’t add any chemicals or plastic materials to the water. And it reduces the risk of harmful bacteria growing in the water.
5. Which One Lasts Longer?
Both types of filtration systems work great, but there are pros and cons to each. Reverse osmosis systems are typically more expensive upfront, but they last longer. A properly maintained reverse osmosis water filtration unit can last for 10 to 15 years.
Refrigerator water filters are a great way to ensure your family is getting clean, fresh-tasted water. But they only work if you change them regularly. You should change them every 6 months.
6. Which One Eliminates Toxic Metals
A reverse osmosis water filter removes toxic metals from your tap water. It does this by using pressure to force water through a membrane made of special materials. As the water passes through the membrane, it becomes purified.
A fridge water filter works similarly to a reverse osmosis water filer. However, instead of forcing water through a membrane, it uses carbon to trap contaminants. Once the water is filtered, it goes right into your refrigerator.
Both types of filters are safe and effective. But if you’re concerned about removing toxins from your tap water, then you should consider installing a reverse osmosis system.
7. Which Ones are Easy to Install and Maintain
Both reverse osmosis systems and fridge water filters are relatively easy to install and maintain. But there are pros and cons to each option. Read our guide to find out which ones are easiest to install and maintain.
8. Which One Eliminates Which Contaminants
Comparison of removed contaminants between the reverse osmosis and fridge water:
Fridge Water Filter:
- Reduce chlorine taste and odor
- Zinc
- Copper
- Cadmium
- Mercury
Reverse Osmosis System:
- Arsenic
- Barium
- Cadmium
- Chromium
- Copper
- Cyst (cryptosporidium)
- Fluoride
- Lead
- Nitrates and nitrites
- Radium
- Selenium
- Total dissolved solids (TDS)
Conclusion:
Reverse osmosis (RO) water purification systems are far superior to refrigerator filters because they remove impurities such as chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, bacteria, viruses, parasites, and even radioactive elements.
RO systems are also effective at removing chemicals and minerals that cause corrosion, discoloration, odor, taste, and cloudiness.
In addition, RO systems produce purer drinking water than refrigerator filters because they remove dissolved solids and particles that accumulate inside the filter. This means that RO systems provide cleaner, healthier drinking water than refrigerator filters.