Water Softeners vs. Water Filters: What’s the Difference?
Determining the ins and outs of various water treatment systems can be tough. If you want better water quality, there are many different choices to make. The most central of these choices will be whether to get a water softener or water filter. But what’s the difference between a water softener and a water filter? What do they each do? We’ll analyze those questions in the following blog.
Water Softeners
Water softeners are often confused with water filters, but there couldn’t be a bigger difference between the function of each. Water softeners traditionally remedy the problem of hard water. Hard water results from minerals such as calcium and magnesium accumulating during the water treatment cycle. These minerals aren’t necessarily bad for your health like traditional contaminants are, but they can clog your appliances. Hard water can dehydrate and irritate your skin and cause streaks in your dishes. While you can drink hard water, it’s still an undesirable substance. Water softeners make this problem a non-issue, typically through an ion exchange process that softens the water.
Water Filters
On the other hand, there are just as many misconceptions about water filters. They do not remove minerals in the water but offer a physical barrier to filter out contaminants and debris. Bacteria that will normally pass through the filters is a non-factor. A water filter also removes odors and makes the water taste better overall. It’s also a boon to your health since contaminated water can lead to headaches, nausea, and even dysentery; water filters make these conditions a non-issue. This is a key difference between water softeners and water filters. Filters remove contaminants while softeners don’t.
Which Do You Need?
The answer to this question depends on your needs. Most people opt for a whole home filtration system, but in many cases, hard water can become such an issue that a homeowner will choose a water softener instead. Luckily, at Alamo Water Softeners, our experts offer complete water filtration systems in San Antonio that take care of everything from water hardness to purity.
In short, while water hardness and contaminated water are serious issues, you don’t have to be at their mercy. Shop Alamo Water softeners today for a complete home filtration system! You’ll be happy you did.
