Are you looking for a water softener or a water filter? Is there a difference, or are they interchangeable? What do I need to have safe drinking water?

These questions might be bothering you on which is best suited for you. To sum up all of the information on the internet about water softeners and water filters, both help improve your water quality, but each serves a different purpose.

Here's why. 

What Does Water Softener Do?

A water softener is a vital tool for protecting your plumbing system, and it is designed to remove the calcium and magnesium minerals that are elements of hard water. Hard water has a high concentration of these minerals, leaving a residue that you feel after washing your hands. This likely happens due to the reaction of the soap with calcium and magnesium.

Installing a water softener helps you save time and money by having these benefits,

• Increase the efficiency of your plumbing system while also extending its life
• Removes soap deposits on your glass and silverware
• Save money on household water appliance maintenance and repair
• Makes garments seem brighter and last longer

What Do Water Filters Do?

A water filter removes many unwanted contaminants or impurities and certain odors from your water. Depending on the filtration system you choose, a wide variety of filtration technologies may be used to treat contaminants in your water. Selecting the correct filtration system is to figure out what contaminants you want to get rid of. Excess chlorine can be detected by its odor, while hardness minerals can be identified by discoloration on sinks and glassware. However, many harmful chemicals in your water are challenging to detect because they can't always be seen, smelled, or tasted.

Having a water filters system at home has an abundance of benefits,

• Promoting better day-to-day quality of life
• Lower risk of certain health problems
• It saves a lot of money
• A better taste in water
• Easy installation and maintenance

Water Softener/Conditioner vs Water Filter

When speaking with a local water treatment specialist, you may have heard the term "water softener” or “water conditioner."  What is the distinction between a conditioner and a softener? Carbon. The difference is carbon. Resin on the interior of many water softeners accomplishes the "hard work" by removing the calcium and magnesium that produce the scale you notice on your fixtures. By adding carbon to this mixture, chlorine and other compounds from the same family will be removed. As a result, the water is "conditioned."

Is a water softener/conditioner more effective? Yes and no are the answers. If you use municipal water, a softener/conditioner may be beneficial; but, if you have a private well, a softener/conditioner may not be beneficial. Talking to a water specialist is always the best choice.

Which One Do I Need?

The quality of water you have will determine whether you need a water softener or a water filter. Consider the physical evidence of your water to assess what you need.

If your water leaves a residue on your glassware, silverware or even after washing your hands, your problem is hard water. Only a water softener can alleviate those by removing the hard minerals present in your water.

A water filter will be your best bet for most other water issues. A water filter will remove all of these, including contaminants from old pipes, chemicals in the water, chlorine, and bacteria. If your water is discolored or tastes terrible, a filter can restore it to its original clear form and remove any unpleasant odors. Certain filters may even remove viruses from contaminated water sources.

Conclusion

Both water filters and water softeners work to improve your water quality. While both may be required simultaneously, the main distinction is that a water softener protects your property while a water filter protects your health.

At Manax, we can determine what is the best approach with your water quality. Schedule an appointment today!