You need clean water for daily activities like cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene. Many the U.S. homeowners wonder which is best—a water filter or a water softener? Explore the key differences between inline water filters and whole-house water softeners, the benefits they provide and how to determine which one is best for your needs.
An inline water filter is a point-of-entry filtration system that treats water as it enters your home. It’s installed directly on your main water line, removing sediment, chlorine, bacteria and other impurities from the municipal water supply before flowing to your plumbing fixtures and appliances.
If your water comes from a municipal supplier, you may wonder why you might need an inline water filter. After all, the water is already cleaned at a water treatment plant. However, many local water supplies barely meet EPA standards, and water may pick up impurities between the treatment plant and your faucets. Here’s how installing a water filter can benefit you:
About one-third of American households rely on home treatment systems for quality drinking water. Here are some signs that you need a whole-house water filter:
A water softener removes calcium and magnesium from your water supply. A process called ion exchange works somewhat like a chemical magnet, replacing these “hard” minerals with sodium ions to “soften” the water.
If you have hard water, here’s what you’ll notice once you install a water softener:
Most water supplies in North America are considered moderately hard, hard or very hard. Learn more by reading your city’s water quality report. In the meantime, here are some signs that you could benefit from a water softener:
Inline water filters and water softeners each provide valuable benefits, but they perform different functions. An inline water filter removes contaminants and improves overall water quality, while a water softener specifically targets hard minerals. In some cases, having a water filter and a water softener is necessary. Evaluate your specific needs and water quality to determine the best solution for your household.
Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is a trusted provider of water treatment solutions in the U.S., including water filters and water softeners from Excalibur. Our team can help you decide if one or both solutions are necessary to help you achieve the best water quality in your the U.S. home.
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