In order to select the best refrigerator water filter, you will need to do some research on the water quality in your area. Certain filter configurations are better at removing certain impurities, so it is important to select a unit that can deal with the undesirable compounds present in your municipal or well water. Some of the common options include activated carbon and reverse osmosis, though you will also need to pay attention to the size of the particles a refrigerator water filter is capable of removing. This is typically measured in microns, and to achieve the best results you should look for a unit that is rated at 1 micron or lower. Your choices may be limited by the type of refrigerator you own, since many units require very specific configurations of cartridge or cassette type filters.
Water filters can be used to remove most of the undesirable impurities and chemical additives found in both municipal sources and water that comes from wells. There are many types of water filtration systems, from activated carbon filters to reverse osmosis, each of which is best suited to a different situation. When you start looking for a new filter, it is a good idea to determine what types of contaminants are present in your water. If you use municipal water, then you can usually request a water report. Otherwise, you will need to order your own tests.
After you have determined the type of contaminants and chemicals that are present in your water, you will be able to narrow down type types of filters that will work for you. If you need to remove chlorine, and various chemical contaminants, then a carbon block filter will typically do the job. This technology can also be combined with a particulate filter to remove certain other materials. If you need a more robust filtration method, you may want to choose a refrigerator water filter that includes a reverse osmosis step in addition to a carbon block.
Depending on the type of fridge you own, you may have a limited number of filter choices. If your fridge is an older, or a less popular design, you may be limited to filters produced by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), while many common fridge models have a variety of aftermarket units to choose from. In either case, it is important to choose a refrigerator water filter that matches the design of the unit that originally came with your fridge. If you select a refrigerator water filter that differs significantly in design, leakage is likely to occur.