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

Everyone needs clean water for everyday routines like cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene. Many the U.S. homeowners wonder which is better—a water filter or a water softener? Explore the important 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 cleans water as it goes into your residence. It’s installed directly on your main water line, removing sediment, chlorine, bacteria and other pollutants from the municipal water supply before entering your plumbing fixtures and appliances.

Benefits of Water Filters

If your water comes from a municipal provider, you may ask yourself why you could use 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 acquire impurities between the treatment plant and your faucets. Here’s how installing a water filter can benefit you:

• Healthier water: Water filters remove harmful microorganisms, carcinogenic materials and other debris for safer, better-tasting drinking water.
• Reduced sediment: Water filters decrease sediment buildup in your pipes, appliances and fixtures, safeguarding them from harm.
• No plastic waste: Inline water filters cut back on 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 quality 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 absolutely clear, clean-tasting and odor-free, it may be contaminated. Think about putting in a filter for your safety.
• Constant plumbing problems: A whole-house water filter helps decrease blocked pipes, low water pressure and other troubles.
• Skin irritation: If you experience 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 history of pollution? Getting a whole-house water filter provides peace of mind against long-term problems.

What Is a Water Softener?

A water softener takes away calcium and magnesium from water. A process called ion exchange acts 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 put in a water softener:

• Longer plumbing life span: Soft water minimizes scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, dishwashers and washing machines, extending their life span and enhancing their appearance.
• Clog-free plumbing: Soft water doesn’t cause a hard mineral coating to adhere to your plumbing system, keeping your pipes and faucets flowing efficiently.
• Better soap lathering: Soft water ensures cleaning products lather more effectively, generating cleaner dishes, brighter laundry, and softer skin and hair, even if you use a smaller amount of soap and detergent.
• Energy savings: A water softener helps your plumbing appliances run effectively for lower energy bills.

How to Tell if You Need a Water Softener

Most water supplies in North America are considered 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 indicators 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 an indication of hard water, as are the white spots on your dishes, glass shower door and coffee maker. A water softener can help.
• Low water pressure: Showerheads and faucet aerators commonly become severely clogged by mineral deposits within 18 months of use. Watch for this because it is another indication of hard water.
• Dry skin and hair: Hard water stops soap from rinsing correctly, resulting in irritated skin and brittle hair.
• Repeated appliance repairs: If your dishwasher or water heater fails frequently due to scale buildup, a water softener may be a worthwhile investment.

Should You Use Both a Water Filter and a Water Softener?

Inline water filters and water softeners both provide valuable benefits, but they perform different functions. An inline water filter takes away contaminants and improves overall water quality, while a water softener specifically removes hard minerals. In some cases, using a water filter and a water softener is appropriate. Evaluate 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., such as 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.