In general, water treatment systems can be broken down into two basic categories: water softeners and water filters. The type that’s right for you will depend entirely on what’s in your water and what you want to get out of the system(s) you install. Today we’re going to talk about the differences of a water softener vs. a water filter and help you figure out which one to choose!
Water softener vs. water filter: What each system does
As water travels from its source to your home, it can pick up all kinds of different contaminants. These suspended contaminants (which include sediment, chemicals, various elements and more) can affect the taste and smell of your water, in addition to causing a range of different health effects in the people who use and consume it. Water filters are responsible for removing these suspended contaminants.
Hardness is a water quality issue that is in a category of its own. Hard water refers to water that contains high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium ions, which can wreak havoc on your plumbing system and create limescale all over your home. Water softeners are responsible for removing these dissolved calcium and magnesium ions.
Water softener vs. water filter: How each system works
Water filtration systems use a variety of techniques to trap suspended particles from your water. As water flows through a water filtration system, unwanted particles stick to the filter and only pure water molecules are allowed to pass through the other side. Water filters do not, however, trap dissolved hardness minerals from your water.
Water softening systems use a process called “ion exchange” to remove dissolved hardness minerals from your water. As water flows through a water softening system, resin beads exchange sodium ions for calcium and magnesium ions, resulting in softer water. Water softeners do not remove suspended particles from your water.
Water softener vs. water filter: Determining which one is right for you
The only way to decide between a water softener and a water filter is to have your water tested by EPA Water. We can test for both contamination and hardness levels and let you know what type of system is best for your home. In homes that need both softening and filtering (as many homes do), one of the best solutions is the WaterMax from Hague. The WaterMax is a two-in-one system that provides both filtration and softening capabilities from a single unit!
If you have any questions about a water softener vs. a water filter, or if you’d like a water treatment system serviced or installed in your home, contact North Carolina Water Consultants, your North and South Carolina water filtration and water softener dealer. We provide service and installations of water filtration systems all over the Carolinas, including towns like Mooresville, Cornelius and Huntersville, NC.