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

Everyone needs clean water for day-to-day routines like cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene. Many the U.S. homeowners ask themselves which is better—a water filter or a water softener? Discover the important differences between inline water filters and whole-house water softeners, the advantages they provide and how to figure out 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 enters your home. It’s installed on your main water line, removing sediment, chlorine, bacteria and other impurities from the municipal water supply before entering your plumbing fixtures and appliances.

Benefits of Water Filters

If your water comes from a municipal company, you may question why you could use an inline water filter. After all, the water has already been cleansed at a water treatment plant. Unfortunately, many local water supplies barely meet EPA standards, and water may acquire harmful particles between the treatment plant and your home. Here’s how using a water filter can benefit you:

• Healthier water: Water filters get rid of harmful microorganisms, carcinogenic materials and other debris for safer, better-tasting drinking water.
• Reduced sediment: Water filters reduce sediment buildup in your pipes, appliances and fixtures, protecting them from wear and tear.
• No plastic waste: Inline water filters reduce the need for bottled water, contributing to a greener environment.
• Cost-effectiveness: Access to clean, safe tap water saves you from spending extra money on bottled water and minimizes the stress on your plumbing system.

How to Tell if You Need a Whole-House Water Filter

About one-third of American households rely on home treatment systems for top-quality drinking water. Here are some signals that you should use a whole-house water filter:

• Discoloration, strange taste or nasty smell: If your tap water is anything but totally clear, clean-tasting and odor-free, it may be contaminated. Consider adding a filter for your health and well-being.
• Constant plumbing issues: A whole-house water filter helps alleviate clogged pipes, low water pressure and other issues.
• Skin discomfort: If you notice anyone in your household is suffering from redness, rashes or other skin issues attributed to poor water quality, a whole-house water filter may be helpful.
• Past history: Does your local water supply have a history of pollution? Installing a whole-house water filter can give you peace of mind against long-term problems.

What Is a Water Softener?

A water softener removes calcium and magnesium from water. A process called ion exchange works somewhat like a chemical magnet, replacing these “hard” minerals with sodium ions to “soften” the water.

Benefits of Water Softeners

If you have hard water, here’s what you’ll notice once you set up a water softener:

• Longer plumbing life span: Soft water decreases scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, dishwashers and washing machines, lengthening their life span and improving their appearance.
• Clog-free plumbing: Soft water doesn’t leave a hard mineral coating to adhere to your plumbing system, which helps keep your pipes and faucets flowing easily.
• 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 work effectively for lower electricity charges.

How to Determine if You Need a Water Softener

Most water supplies in North America are deemed moderately hard, hard or very hard. You can learn about the quality of your local water by reading your city’s water quality report. In the meantime, here are some clues 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 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 often become severely 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 hinders soap from rinsing properly, resulting in irritated skin and brittle hair.
• Repeated appliance repairs: If your dishwasher or water heater malfunctions often due to scale buildup, a water softener may be a worthwhile purchase.

Should You Buy Both a Water Filter and 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 boosts overall water quality, while a water softener specifically removes hard minerals. In some cases, using a water filter and a water softener is necessary. Consider 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 trustworthy provider of water treatment remedies in the U.S., including water filters and water softeners from Excalibur. Our skilled specialists can help you determine if one or both solutions are necessary to help you achieve the best water quality in your the U.S. home.