8 Differences Between RO & UV Water Purifiers

An average human body is almost 70% water, which means water is key to survival. Hence, drinking safe and clean water makes your body healthier and improves digestion. The pollutants present in the environment have made the water bodies contaminated, which are the sources of water supply to our homes. Thus it is necessary nowadays to use a water purifier to purify water and make it safe for drinking. Now the question is which water purifier should be used? Which one is the best purifier for our homes? The choice of the water purifier directly depends on the type of water supply in your locality.

There are many types of water purifiers, but the two most prevalent types of purifiers:

1. RO water purifier
2. UV water purifier.

➢ RO water purifier

RO (Reverse Osmosis) is the process through which the water is filtered by using the RO technology. It pushes out the water through the semi-permeable RO membrane using water pressure. An RO purifier removes almost all the impurities like bacteria and viruses. It also removes other harmful minerals dissolved in water, like rust, arsenic, fluoride, lead, etc. It is efficient in converting hard water into soft water. But, it is not much effective against invisible bacteria and microorganisms which may cause water-borne diseases.

➢UV water purifier

UV (Ultraviolet) water purifier works with UV rays. The water passes through UV rays tube source which destroys the germs and microorganisms present in the water, and makes it safe for drinking and other household purposes. UV water purifier can be combined with other types of filters as well. UV water purifier is much more effective on microbes and viruses than TDS.

Listed below are the differences between an RO and an UV water purifier:

1. Maintenance

The best quality RO water purifier gives safe and pure drinking water which is chemical- free and smell-free and needs low maintenance cost. While a low-quality RO purifier has low-quality filters and other parts which need high-cost maintenance. Though RO purifier and its parts like tank, filters, pipe, etc. needs servicing and cleaning from time to time. UV water purifier, it requires replacement of its UV lamps annually for the best performance. But after a year, there is no assurance that the UV lamp gives sufficient disinfection. The quartz sleeve may work without any replacements but may need some cleaning many times in a year.

2. Appropriateness

RO water purifiers are mostly appropriate for ground water, while the UV water purifier is more appropriate for lake water, river water or the water supplied by the municipal committee in your locality. If you live on the outskirts of some metropolitan cities and the water supplied is muddy or dirty you should buy a RO water purifier.

3. Removal of contaminants

RO water purifier is more effective in removal of harmful salts and minerals present in the contaminated water and UV water purifier is effective in killing bacteria and microorganisms present in the water but which are invisible. It is assumed that RO (reversed osmosis) water purifiers are better than UV water purifiers as RO purifier gives high-level purification, while UV purifier is combined with various other forms of filtration.

4. Effectiveness against micro-organisms

RO purifier kills the bacteria and microbes and flushes out their bodies but UV water purifier kills the bacteria and microbes but the bodies remain in the water itself.

5. Time required for purification

RO purifier takes much more time to purify an average amount of water and the UV water purifier takes no time to purify the water. It purifies the water immediately.

6. Water wastage

RO purifiers produce lots of water waste but the UV water purifier does not produce any water waste.

7. Energy efficiency

RO water purifier requires electricity to operate, though it is negligible. An average RO water purifier consumes 1.52 units per year. UV water purifier does not need electricity to operate.

8. Function on dirty water

RO water purifier can work on muddy or dirty water, it cleans the water. But the water should be clear and mud-free to be worked by UV water purifier.

Conclusion:
Every type of water filter, either RO or UV has some pros and cons. The type of purifier best for your home depends on the type of water supply in your area. Otherwise, RO + UV water purifier are the best type of combination in water purifier for major metro cities. They are effective, efficient and provide safe as well as pure water for drinking and cooking.