You need clean water for day-to-day tasks like cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene. Many Memphis homeowners wonder which is right for them—a water filter or a water softener? Explore 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 treats water as it enters your residence. It’s installed directly on your main water line, removing sediment, chlorine, bacteria and other contaminants from the municipal water supply before it moves into your plumbing fixtures and appliances.
Benefits of Water Filters
If your water comes from a municipal company, you may question why you might need an inline water filter. After all, the water is already cleansed at a water treatment plant. Unfortunately, many local water supplies barely meet EPA standards, and water may be contaminated with impurities between the treatment plant and your home. Here’s how installing a water filter can improve the water in your home:
- Healthier water: Water filters get rid of unhealthy microorganisms, carcinogenic materials and other impurities for safer, better-tasting drinking water.
- Reduced sediment: Water filters minimize sediment accumulation in your pipes, appliances and fixtures, defending them from wear and tear.
- No plastic waste: Inline water filters diminish the need for bottled water, adding to a greener environment.
- Cost-effectiveness: Access to clean, safe tap water saves you from spending extra your hard-earned cash on bottled water and minimizesthe stress on your plumbing system.
How to Tell if You Need a Whole-House Water Filter
About one-third of American households use home treatment systems for top-quality drinking water. Here are some signals that you should use a whole-house water filter:
- Discoloration, unusual taste or undesirable smell: If your tap water is anything but totally clear, clean-tasting and odor-free, it may be contaminated. Consider putting in a filter for your health and well-being.
- Constant plumbing problems: A whole-house water filter helps alleviate clogged pipes, low water pressure and other troubles.
- Skin irritation: If you have redness, rashes or other skin issues linked to poor water quality, a whole-house water filter may be useful.
- Past history: Does your local water supply have a record of possible contamination? Getting a whole-house water filter can give you peace of mind against future problems.
What Is a Water Softener?
A water softener takes away calcium and magnesium from the water entering your home. A process called ion exchange works 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, here is what you’ll observe once you set up a water softener:
- Longer plumbing life span: Soft water reduces scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, dishwashers and washing machines, prolonging their life span and improving their appearance.
- Clog-free plumbing: Soft water doesn’t create 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, generating cleaner dishes, brighter laundry, and softer skin and hair, even with less soap and detergent.
- Energy savings: A water softener helps your plumbing appliances run efficiently for lower power charges.
How to Tell if You Need a Water Softener
Most water supplies in North America are considered moderately hard, hard or very hard. Learn more by reading your local municipality's water quality report. In the meantime, here are some clues that you could benefit from a water softener:
- Scale buildup: A white, chalky residue on your fixtures and appliances is evidence of hard water, as are the white spots on your dishes, glass shower door and coffee maker. A water softener can help eliminate this problem.
- Low water pressure: Showerheads and faucet aerators commonly become significantly clogged by mineral deposits within 18 months of use. Watch for this because it is a result of hard water.
- Dry skin and hair: Hard water prevents soap from rinsing completely, causing irritated skin and brittle hair.
- Frequent appliance repairs: If your dishwasher or water heater stops functioning often due to scale buildup, a water softener may be a worthwhile investment.
Do You Need Both a Water Filter and a Water Softener?
Inline water filters and water softeners are two tools that supply valuable benefits, but they perform different jobs. An inline water filter takes away contaminants and boosts overall water quality, while a water softener specifically addresses the problem of hard minerals. In some circumstances, utilizing a water filter and a water softener is appropriate. Assess your specific needs and water quality to determine the best solution for your household.
Schedule Water Filter and Water Softener Installation in Memphis
Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is a respected provider of water treatment remedies in Memphis, including water filters and water softeners from Excalibur. Our skilled specialists can help you evaluate if one or both solutions are necessary to help you achieve the best water quality in your Memphis home.