Are Refrigerator Water Filters Good for Drinking and Cooking?
If the ice seems dicey, you might need better filtration
Highlights
Fridge water filters remove some contaminants, but not all of them.
The chief purpose of a fridge water filter is to improve taste, but bad tastes aren’t always dangerous.
Fridge water filters cost $30 to $60 and should be replaced twice per year.
Fridge water filters provide an extra layer of protection, but they should not be your only method of water filtration.
“There are many different types of water filtration technologies. When one technology is not enough, ask a local water filtration pro how you can combine technologies to reach your water treatment goals.”
— Johnny Pujol, CEO and Water Expert for Tap Score Water Testing and SimpleLab, Inc., Berkeley, CA
Have you ever thought about what’s in your water? It can be hard to tell if the water coming out of your fridge is bad if there’s no distinct smell or taste to it. Because of this, many homeowners rely on refrigerator water filters to keep contaminants out. But are refrigerator water filters good and effective compared to the filters in your sink or water pitcher filters? Explore how water filters of all kinds, including the one in your fridge, can keep your household’s water safe.
How Refrigerator Water Filters Work
A fridge filtration system is built into the fridge. A small plumbing line connects it to your water supply, and the water flows through the filter. The water filter is often made of activated carbon, which sieves out contaminants such as chlorine, radon, and various other chemicals that can make water less-than-tasty.
While fridge water filters can effectively sift out several contaminants, they cannot remove the laundry list of chemicals and particles that more robust filtration systems can.
Pros and Cons of Fridge Water Filters
While fridge water filters do filter out a good amount of contaminants, they’re not the end-all be-all of water filtration. Explore some pros and cons of your fridge filter below to learn more.
Pros
At $30 to $60 apiece, fridge water filters are fairly inexpensive. You need to replace them twice a year to ensure they’re doing the best job possible, making the annual maintenance cost $60 to $120 per year. This is a far more budget-friendly option upfront than stronger filtration systems that target the entire water supply.
Fridges with water filters also have an extremely high flow rate compared to other water filtration systems like reverse osmosis. They're designed to filter and dispense water quickly and make it taste good while doing it. This filtration also extends to built-in ice makers.
Nonetheless, the main draw of a fridge water dispenser and filtration system is that it's very convenient if you want a cold glass of water and your room-temperature tap water has a funky taste. It’s also easy to change the filter yourself—no expertise required.
Cons
There are two elements that make a water filter effective: how long the water has contact with the filter and the size of the filter. Given that fridge filters are small and water dispensers are meant to give you water immediately, there isn't much contact time. This results in far less effective filtration compared to alternatives.
Even with extended contact time, fridge water filters cannot filter out tougher water contaminants like heavy metals (including arsenic and lead) and inorganic compounds like sulfates. An incredibly specialized activated charcoal filter in a sink or whole-house system can remove lead and combat other nasties in the water, but they are virtually never found in fridge size.
Alternatives to Fridge Water Filters
While fridge water filters can be effective, they should not be the only line of defense. Consider some alternative water filter options in addition to a fridge water filter.
Under-Sink Water Filtration System
Under-sink water filtration systems, also called point-of-use systems, fit under the sink, as the name implies. You would need to call a local water softener installation company to find the best under-sink solution for your home. Reverse osmosis is the most common method in under-sink systems because it’s extremely effective at removing contaminants and suitable for many homes and local water concerns.
Whole-House Water Filtration System
Just like under-sink water filters, a local water softener installation company needs to install a whole-house water filtration system. This is the most expensive but most robust option because it’s designed to tackle literally all of the water that enters your home. Whole-house water filtration systems can filter out hundreds of contaminants and be tailored to water quality issues where you live.
Water Pitcher Filters
Water pitcher filters don’t require any modifications to your home or appliances. These pitchers have built-in filters that you need to replace periodically per the manufacturer’s recommendations. They’re meant to provide good-tasting drinking water that removes extra contaminants your tap filter may have missed. Water pitcher filters are an accessible and inexpensive alternative to fridge water filters if you’re unsure of your region’s water quality. Plus, they provide an extra layer of filtration on top of your other systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your refrigerator has a built-in water dispenser or ice maker, a filter helps cut down on contaminants that may be in the water. It also makes the water and ice taste better. While it isn't as dire of a necessity as other water filtration systems, installing a fridge water filter is still a good idea.
Water from a refrigerator dispenser is a better choice than bottled water. Bottled water doesn't use as much filtration as tap water does, and it also contains chemicals from the plastic it’s bottled in, even if it tastes better than tap water. However, if fridge water isn't sufficiently filtered or the fridge water filter is dirty, bacteria and heavy metals can easily accumulate in it, decreasing the water’s quality.
The average fridge water filter has a rating of 20 microns, which captures more small contaminants than you would expect. However, it should not be the sole filtration method for your water supply because heavy metals, bacteria, and other harmful particles that would get caught by reverse osmosis or whole-house filtration can get past a 20-micron filter.