How Well Do Refrigerator Water Filters Work

Is Your Refrigerator Water Filter Really Good Enough?

1 of our readers wanted to know if refrigerator h2o filters were acceptable or if they would be better off with an under counter water filter. Information technology's a question that many people struggle with.

Is your refrigerator water filter good plenty to produce clean drinking water for you and your family?

Of form, there's no simple answer because the reply depends on the following:

the contaminants yous want to remove
the quality of the fridge h2o filter

Limitations of Refrigerator Water Filters

If you want to remove the most contaminants possible including Arsenic, Fluoride, Nitrate and Nitrite, Barium, Selenium, and Radium, well-nigh refrigerator filters aren't able to remove these contaminants.

Why?

Because refrigerator filters apply only a carbon filter and carbon filters have limitations on contaminant removal. Then, if yous want maximum contaminant removal, and so you'll need to opt for a carbon filter with a contrary osmosis filter or a carbon filter combined with another media. Although many carbon filters are highly effective, there's a limit to the type of contaminants these filters can remove.

If you're not worried about the contaminants listed above, then you might exist fine with a generic refrigerator filter. Merely, you need to assemble information almost the filter. We recommend buying filters that are tested by third-party labs to verify the manufacturer's claims.

Why is Testing Important?

Many water filter manufacturers make claims of being the all-time, but non all take the next step to prove their filter's performance. If a manufacturer actually believes in their product, they get it tested by a certified third-party lab. And, they make those test results available on their website for your review.

If their product is non tested and performance results aren't available, you've got to ask yourself why.

You Must Find & Read the Fine Impress

When evaluating a h2o filter, you should bank check for third-party lab results. Here's the catch, though. It's not enough to only check for lab testing, you need to read the results.

Yes, it'due south a lot of fine print!

But fifty-fifty with third-political party testing, the quality of the filters tin can vary widely. For instance, some filters may only exist certified to remove half dozen or 7 contaminants while others are certified to remove over 200. You'll also want to pay attention to the level of contaminant reduction. Once again, in that location can be wide variations. Some may only reduce a contaminant by 50% and others may reduce it past 95%.

The Typical Water Filter Disclosure is Inadequate

The typical h2o filter disclosure is inadequate. Here's a typical refrigerator h2o filter effectiveness disclosure:

This filter is NSF-certified to reduce lead, asbestos, chlorine taste, and odor, sediment and trace pharmaceuticals.*
*Contaminant reduction certified by NSF.
Reduces lead, asbestos, chlorine gustatory modality, and odour, sediment, and pharmaceuticals
NSF Certified

It's actually not plenty information, correct?

Although it's good to know information technology reduces lead and chlorine, the manufacturer doesn't say how much. And, you'd probably similar to know if information technology'southward going to reduce 50% of pb or 99%.

It's bang-up that it is NSF certified, simply you don't accept the report outlining the results. Plus, at that place'southward another issue here. If your water department uses chloramines as a water disinfectant instead of chlorine, then this filter won't reduce the h2o disinfectant. And, about 20% of h2o departments use chloramines as a h2o disinfectant rather than chlorine.

What you really need is a copy of the third-party testing results. Hither's an example of a test written report from Austin Springs.

With this report, y'all'll know exactly what kind of filtration you are getting.

To summarize, a refrigerator water filter may work for you depending on the contaminants you want to remove every bit well as the quality of the filter. Just, you've got some work to practice!

UPDATE October 6, 2017!

Ane of our favorite water purification companies has developed a universal fridge h2o filter that removes fluoride, lead, arsenic, and other 200 other contaminants.

Propur Promax Refrigerator Filter - Remove Fluoride

It installs behind your refrigerator for some of the all-time fridge filtered water for drinking and ice cubes. Cheque out the Propur Promax third-party lab results and installation instructions.

So, what practise you exercise with your existing refrigerator filter? Most manufacturers provide a replacement plug in place of the filter.

Learn more here - Propur Promax Refrigerator Filter that removes fluoride.

Need a Portable Water Filter that Doesn't Require Installation?

The great news is that there are many portable h2o filter solutions that work great and do not require installation. Below are our favorites. All remove over 200 contaminants including fluoride, lead, arsenic, nitrate and more than.

Propur Water Pitcher Filter Removes Fluoride

Propur H2o Pitcher Filter

A water bullpen filter that removes fluoride plus 200 other contaminants. Works equally well equally a reverse osmosis water filter organisation. Perfect when you need a portable solution. Platonic for dorm rooms, offices and travel. Long-lasting filter. Learn more.

Propur Counter Top Water Filter removes fluoride

Propur Promax Counter Elevation Water Filter

If yous take a standard faucet and want to remove over 200 contaminants including fluoride, pb and more than, this is your solution. The filter attaches to a standard faucet (without a pullout sprayer), and is easily installed in five minutes. People rave nigh the taste of their water using this water filter. Acquire more than.

Propur Container Water Filter Traveler Model removes fluoride

Propur Water Filter Container - Traveler Model

The Traveler has a 1.75-gallon capacity and is fabricated of high-quality stainless steel. It sits on your counter tiptop. When you pour water into the container, gravity pulls the water through the filter. Highly constructive. Removes over 200 contaminants and is as effective as a contrary osmosis water filter organization. Learn more.

Need help? Contact us. We can help y'all find the right h2o filter solution easily.