Difference Between UV and RO Water Purifier

The most common type of purifiers are Reverse Osmosis (RO) and UV water purifiers. It is assumed that RO water purifiers are better than UV purifiers.

RO gives a high level of purification, while the UV purifier is combined with various forms of filtration, as UV light can kill bacteria and viruses.

The big question is, how to choose a water purifier. Well, it should depend on the drinking water of your locality. If the water has more ions, then you should buy an RO.

A Kent RO is noise-free and has inbuilt Total Dissolved Salt (TDS) control and if the minerals are low then you can opt for a UV purifier.

RO systems

In this purifier, water is purified using the RO technology that is opposite the osmosis technology. Impurities like dissolved solids in water are removed.

But there are less chances of reducing invisible bacteria when compared to UV water purifier.

How does it work?

The RO purifier has a membrane that filters the dissolved solids and invisible particles like bacteria. It can reduce the germs in the water and is, therefore, a water cleansing process.

With this purifier, filtering of chemicals and microbes protect the health of every family member, as children are more prone to get infected to foreign particles.

The RO system moves the molecules from a region of higher solute concentration to lower solute concentration by using the pressure of incoming water across the membrane and leaving the impurities behind.

Osmosis allows the water molecules to flow across a semipermeable membrane from a low solute concentration to high solute concentration.

As mentioned, that RO works the reverse of osmosis, so it moves the water molecules from high concentration to low concentration with the pressure of incoming water that pushes across the membrane. The left out water and particles are discharged through other outlets.

Ultra Violet (UV) system

These system work with UV rays where the germs and microbes are destroyed with the help of UV rays after the RO stage and gives pure and healthy water.

This system can kill harmful contaminants and can be combined with other forms of filtration by reducing chlorine.

How does it work?

The UV water purifier makes water-borne diseases inactive by exposing them to UV rays. It uses a UV light source, which is mounted in such a manner that when water passes through in a flow is exposed to UV rays, penetrate the cells of bacteria and destroy their ability to reproduce.

The germs are destroyed with UV rays after the RO stage and give pure drinking water.

Maintenance Costs

A quality RO gives 100 percent pure water that is free of chemicals and smell, it requires low maintenance costs. While a low cost and quality RO compromises on filters and other accessories which needs a high maintenance cost.

Periodic service is a must for RO purifiers and can enjoy best service with spare parts that keep the RO running in perfect condition.

For a UV water purifier, UV requires annual replacement for better performance. After one year there is no assurance that the UV light gives sufficient disinfection. The quartz sleeve need not be replaced but needs cleaning many times in a year.

Power Consumption

Power Consumption for RO water purifier:

If you buy a Eureka Forbes RO purifier, its electricity consumption is negligible when compared to other equipment.

The Aquaguard purifier comes with 25 W that consumes one unit of current in 40 hours. With one unit you can get 4,800 liters of water purified. The figure may vary, depending on what model and storage capacity you choose.

Power Consumption for UV water purifier:

While the UV unit uses the same amount of energy as a 60W light bulb that makes it affordable and enhances water quality as well.

The UV purifiers give 30,000 MW seconds for the required flow rate. The UV purifiers give optimum performance depending on model and storage capacity.

Family Size

Most RO’s are suitable for a family size of one to five members. While some high output water purification system recommended for both family and office are suitable for one to 15 members.

While a UV water purifier is suitable for five family members.

Cost

The RO water purifiers are more expensive than UV water purifiers, but a buyer should consider the cost of ownership along with health benefits.

An RO purifier costs as low as Rs 2,500, while a purifier from a leading brand can even cost Rs 14,500. RO water purifier can cost double as much to a UV water purifier.

Who Wins the Race?

Water purifiers are essential these days for drinking clean water to stay healthy. When it comes a trusted name then you should choose Kent RO.

They come with UV gravity water purifier that doubles the protection against impure water.

While UV water purifier has not been successful in giving 100 percent clean water that is why RO water purifiers are most preferred over UV purifiers.