There are several types of water filters such as whole house , under sink , countertop , and shower filters. Additionally, water filters can use a variety of different methods to reduce contaminants. Water softeners help to remove minerals such as calcium and magnesium that contribute to hard water. They work somewhat like a chemical magnet using ion exchange.
Water is forced through a bed filled with beads that are covered with sodium ions. When this happens, the calcium is no longer in the water, preventing those horrible rings in your bathtub, soap scum buildup, and clogged pipes. However, while the water softener has effectively reduced the hardness of your water, the water is not safer or cleaner to consume.
However, many people carry the misconception that their water is safe and clean simply because they are using a water softener to filter their water. This is an unfortunate misunderstanding. Although a water softener may help to make your water less hard, it does not make it a cleaner or safer drink.
Water softeners do not filter water, they only remove calcium and magnesium minerals to address hard water. If your goal is only to reduce the presence of harmful contaminants, a water filter is a better solution than a water softener.
A whole house water filter will enable you to provide filtered water throughout your entire house, but you can also get clean water through under sink or countertop filters that let you decide where you want to receive filtered water from. These resins are coated in a sodium solution and when hard water comes into contact with the resin beads, the calcium and magnesium ions migrate out of the solution to the active sites on the resin and are replaced in the solution by sodium ions.
Benefits of using a water softener including more soap lather, no water spots, and doesn't damage pipes and household appliances. These salt-less systems use an advanced ceramic media that effectively attracts and neutralizes hard water scaling properties without the need for regeneration, backwashing, or electricity. These salt-free systems are essentially maintenance free and contain no added sodium for your diet. Water softeners are excellent water purification systems that will protect your home from the harmful effects of hard water scale buildup.
However, if you have other water problems such as with water chlorination, bacterial contamination or iron staining, you will need to consider getting a whole house filter that will treat those specific water concerns as well.
It is quite common for homeowners to install both a water softener and whole house filter to properly treat their incoming water, and these total solution type setups offer more complete filtration coverage. Below is a table that lists some common water problem and the systems which can treat them. My Cart. We are America's leading supplier of high quality drinking water systems and information source.
Complete Guide to Home Water Filtration. Related Articles. Benefits of having a water softener. Do I need a whole house filter? Have you noticed water spots on your glasses or utensils, soap scum in your tub and on shower doors, or a filmy residue after you wash your hands?
Hard water is likely the culprit. Soap reacts with the high level of calcium and magnesium in hard water to produce the water spots and residue you can see and feel.
When your home has hard water, you need more soap or detergent to get things clean. Mineral deposits also can form when hard water is heated, as with your home water heater.
Geological Survey notes. Water softeners remove the calcium and magnesium minerals that are the causes of hard water. By eliminating excess calcium and magnesium from water, softeners can boost the efficiency of your water-using appliances and help you save on cleaning supplies. Not only are you likely to see cleaner dishes and coffee pots, but your whole family could see less-irritated, more-hydrated skin and hair as well.
How do they work? Water softeners use salt to modify the properties of water. If you live in a brine-restricted area, you can explore salt-free alternatives. In contrast, water filtration systems—whether whole-house systems or smaller products that filter products at the point of use—can use any of several methods to make water cleaner and safer depending on the contaminants being filtered.
While water softeners target issues like spots on dishes and buildup on appliances, water filters aim to supply better-tasting, cleaner water by removing a wider array of contaminants. These can include:.
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