Water Filters and Water Softeners are NOT the Same.
People often ask our plumbers, “What is the difference between a water filtration system and a water softener system?
What do Water Filters do?
Water filtration systems remove impurities from your home’s water. Even water that goes through a large municipal filtration system, like we have in many North Texas cities, will still contain low levels of toxic chemicals like:
- chromium-6 (a carcinogen)
- lead
- chlorine
- lithium
- selenium
- boron
A home water filter system is the last line of defense that protects your family against the harmful chemicals.
Many water filters rely on a process called reverse osmosis, which forces your water through a tight membrane that prevents impurities from passing through.
Do Water Filters Soften Water?
Water filters remove impurities — but they do not remove high concentrations of minerals that may be in the water. Minerals are what defines the water as “hard”.
What is Hard Water? Read More about Hard Water Here.
What Do Water Softeners Do?
A water softener will protect your skin and your plumbing equipment, because it removes minerals that make your water hard. While water softeners are technically filters, because they remove unwanted contaminants, water softeners use a process called ion swapping to replace calcium and manganese ions in your water with sodium ones.
The sodium ion swap method is works well in reducing mineral concentrations in your water. It doesn’t, however, remove other contaminants like lead or chlorine. If you do not have either system, our Trident plumbers suggest that you invest in a whole House Filtration & Softener System.
Whole House Filtration & Softener System
For North Texas Homeowners, a whole House Filtration and Softener System will combat the hard water and harmful chemicals that still show up in our tap water.
Remember:
- Hard water increases your energy and water consumption because of the mineral buildup (scale) in your plumbing and appliances.
- Hard water can cost homeowners thousands of dollars per year in extra detergent, plumbing repair costs, and increased utility bills.
- And we cannot forget to discuss the weird taste in the water that can force homeowners to buy bottled water.
- Chemicals like chlorine also result in an unsavory taste.
- Most importantly, chlorine, lead, arsenic, and heavy metals that can be found in tap water can have a negative impact on your family’s health.
Trident Installs Atlas Water Filtration Systems, Aquasana Water Filtration Systems, and Springwell .