The home water filtration market including point-of-use (POU) filters such as countertop filters, pitcher filters, under-sink filters, refrigeration filters and point-of-entry (POE) filters such as reverse osmosis systems, water softening systems, and ion exchange units has gained tremendous impetus over the last decade. According to a survey by Frost & Sullivan, the water purification market in the Middle East will reach a value of Dh20.20 billion in 2020 as compared to Dh8.6 billion in 2002. Although faucet filters and pitcher filters are good methods to get clean water for cooking and drinking purposes, it doesn’t meet all the drinking water needs in a household. Most consumers use refrigerated water for drinking and other beverage preparation purposes. It is essential that the water coming through the refrigerator is clean and devoid of any contaminants such as chlorine, bacteria, sediments, etc. Refrigerators’ water and ice dispensers tend to work best with a filter installed, which facilitates provision of clean drinking water of high quality. Refrigerator filters remove the contaminants from the water by forcing them through activated carbon installed inside the filters. Activated carbon is commonly used to adsorb natural organic compounds, taste and odor compounds, and synthetic organic chemicals in drinking water treatment. University of Arizona and Good Housekeeping Research Institute (GHRI) recently conducted a study demonstrating the performance of refrigerator filters. The study concluded that refrigerator filters are one of the most effective methods of treating drinking water. This article provides a brief overview of the findings of that study. It also discusses the different types of refrigerator filters available in the market, benefits of using refrigerator filters, and some short good housekeeping description on filter replacements and cleaning.
REFRIGERATOR WATER FILTERS – GHRI STUDY, TYPES, AND MAINTENANCE
GHRI STUDY
– The study funded by the GHRI evaluated the efficiency of removing 15 chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) by five commercially available refrigerator and pour-through pitcher devices. To test the filters, municipal water was spiked with 15 contaminants of concern which have been discovered in drinking water. Then, to simulate the weeks or months of use, that pitcher and fridge filters were installed in actual homes of customers. Researchers passed gallons of contaminated water through each device until it reached the manufacturer’s estimated filter lifetime, then recorded the results. The CECs are contaminants that are not currently regulated by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The filters that were evaluated in this study thus went through rigorous testing and the results concluded that they were effective in contaminant removal.
TYPES
– the types of refrigerator filters are listed here: drop-down filters, grille filters, slide-out filters, in-line filters, cannister filters, bypass filters. In-line filters are the most commonly used refrigerator filters. These units remain outside the fridge and they must be sealed and strapped on the outside.
BENEFITS
– Some of the major benefits of using refrigerator filters are as follows:
- The best advantage of using refrigerator filters is provision of clean and cold drinking water and ice which can be used for many beverage preparations.
- Similar to all POU water filtration systems, they provide cost effective and environment-friendly alternative to bottled water
- It acts like a mini-whole house filtration system for the refrigerator
MAINTENANCE
– One of the most important elements of a refrigerator filter is the regular replacement of cartridges. It is recommended by most water experts and refrigerator manufacturers that the refrigerator’s water filter must be replaced at least every six months. The exact duration might vary depending upon usage and flow rate. There are many refrigerator models that provide an indication of when the filters need to be replaced.
Refrigerator filtration systems provide cost-effective, low-maintenance, and easy-to-install means of filtered and cold water at the same time.
Saniwater provides state-of-the-art filtration systems including 3M filters, PENTAIR filters, and KINETICO filters a to provide easily accessible clean and healthy drinking water at home. Saniwater also provides consultation on the type of filtration system best suited for the customers’ needs and guide the customers in selecting the appropriate product. Once the preferred filtration system is selected, the filtration expert technicians at Saniwater can get the system installed in less than an hour.
REFERENCES
https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/water-purifier-market-2017-2025.html
https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2019-05-23/water-purifier-market-witnessing-growth-due-to-rising-government-investment-for-industrial-water-purification-tmr
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/water-purifier-market-to-touch-dh20b-by-2020
https://www.hunker.com/12606448/will-a-refrigerator-work-without-a-filter
https://iaspub.epa.gov/tdb/pages/treatment/treatmentOverview.do?treatmentProcessId=2109700949
https://uanews.arizona.edu/story/ua-tests-consumer-water-filters-for-contaminant-removal
https://www.bestproductspro.com/refrigerator-water-filters/
https://www.consumerreports.org/refrigerators/how-to-find-cheaper-replacement-water-filter-for-your-refrigerator/
https://www.waterfiltermag.com/best-refrigerator-water-filter-reviews/
https://www.waterfiltration.solutions/best-refrigerator-water-filter-reviews/
