Do I Really Need a Water Softener or Is an Inline Filter Sufficient?

You need clean water for day-to-day tasks like cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene. Many the U.S. homeowners ask themselves which is right for them—a water filter or a water softener? Examine the key differences between inline water filters and whole-house water softeners, the advantages they provide and how to decide which one is best for your needs.

What Is an Inline Water Filter?

An inline water filter is a point-of-entry filtration system that filters water as it enters your residence. It’s installed on your main water line, removing sediment, chlorine, bacteria and other impurities from the municipal water supply before entering your plumbing fixtures and appliances.

Benefits of Water Filters

If your water comes from a municipal supplier, you may question why you could use an inline water filter. After all, the water has already been treated at a water treatment plant. However, many local water supplies barely meet EPA standards, and water may pick up harmful particles between the treatment plant and your faucets. Here’s how setting up a water filter can assist you:

• • Healthier water: Water filters remove unsafe microorganisms, carcinogenic materials and other impurities for safer, better-tasting drinking water.

• • Reduced sediment: Water filters reduce sediment collection in your pipes, appliances and fixtures, safeguarding them from damage.

• • No plastic waste: Inline water filters reduce the need for bottled water, adding to a greener environment.

• • Cost-effectiveness: Access to clean, safe tap water saves you from spending extra cash on bottled water and decreases the stress on your plumbing system.

How to Tell if You Need a Whole-House Water Filter

About one-third of American households depend on home treatment systems for safe and healthy drinking water. Here are some signals that you might need to get a whole-house water filter:

• • Discoloration, strange taste or nasty smell: If your tap water is anything but crystal clear, clean-tasting and odor-free, it may be contaminated. Consider adding a filter for your health and well-being.

• • Frequent plumbing issues: A whole-house water filter helps alleviate clogged pipes, low water pressure and other problems.

• • Skin discomfort: If you have redness, rashes or other skin issues attributed to poor water quality, a whole-house water filter may be useful.

• • Past history: Does your local water supply have a track record of pollution? Getting a whole-house water filter offers peace of mind against long-term problems.

What Is a Water Softener?

A water softener removes calcium and magnesium from the water entering your home. A process called ion exchange operates similar to a chemical magnet, replacing these “hard” minerals with sodium ions to “soften” the water.

Benefits of Water Softeners

If you have hard water, this is what you’ll discover once you install a water softener:

• • Longer plumbing life span: Soft water minimizes scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, dishwashers and washing machines, prolonging their life span and improving their appearance.

• • Clog-free plumbing: Soft water doesn’t leave a hard mineral coating to adhere to your plumbing system, keeping your pipes and faucets flowing easily.

• • Better soap lathering: Soft water helps cleaning products lather more effectively, producing cleaner dishes, brighter laundry, and softer skin and hair, even when using less soap and detergent.

• • Energy savings: A water softener helps your plumbing appliances work efficiently for lower power charges.

How to Tell if You Need a Water Softener

Most water resources in North America are categorized as moderately hard, hard or very hard. A good way to find out about the quality of water in your home is by reading your local government’s water quality report. In the meantime, here are some clues that you could see a real difference in the quality of water in your home by installing a water softener:

• • Scale buildup: A white, chalky film on your fixtures and appliances is a sign of hard water, as are the white spots on your dishes, glass shower door and coffee maker. A water softener can help you get rid of this unsightly issue.

• • Low water pressure: Showerheads and faucet aerators frequently become severely clogged by mineral deposits within 18 months of use. Watch for this because it is a sign of hard water.

• • Dry skin and hair: Hard water stops soap from rinsing completely, causing irritated skin and brittle hair.

• • Repeated appliance repairs: If your dishwasher or water heater fails often due to scale buildup, a water softener may be a worthwhile purchase.

Do You Need Both a Water Filter and a Water Softener?

Inline water filters and water softeners both offer valuable benefits, but they perform different jobs. An inline water filter takes away contaminants and boosts overall water quality, while a water softener specifically removes hard minerals. In some instances, utilizing a water filter and a water softener is required in order to make sure you have high-quality water. Consider your specific needs and water quality to determine the best solution for your household.

Schedule Water Filter and Water Softener Installation in the U.S.

Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is a respected provider of water treatment solutions in the U.S., carrying high-quality water filters and water softeners from Excalibur. Our skilled specialists can help you decide if one or both solutions are necessary to help you enjoy the best water quality in your the U.S. home.