Water Softener Vs Water Filter

Categories: Contaminants

Water softeners remove minerals like calcium and magnesium from water to prevent hard water from coming through your taps.

Hard water can lead to limescale buildup, clogged pipes, bath rings, and soap scum. It is difficult to rinse soap away with hard water, often leading to skin irritation.

Through the ion exchange process, a water softener helps remove the minerals, which are replaced by sodium or potassium ions.

The end result is soft water, which prevents scale build up in pipes and other applications, increases the effectiveness of soap, and reduces irritation after washing.

 

What Is A Water Filter?

A water filter removes contaminants like chlorine, dissolved organic matter, and sediment from water before you turn on the taps, making it cleaner and healthier to drink. It is also used to create cleaner water for cooking.

There are various types of water filtration systems, such as reverse osmosis systems and carbon filters. However, they all filter drinking water to improve its taste and smell.

Investing in a water filter eradicates the need to buy bottled water from a shop, so they are both sustainable and cost-effective.

 

What Are The Differences Between A Water Softener and a Water Filter?

Purpose

  • Water Softener: To remove minerals to prevent hard water and the build up of limescale, making washing easier, helping keep skin healthy, and keeping fixtures clean.
  • Water Filter: To remove contaminants from water used for drinking and cooking. Filtered water is healthier and tastier to drink and smells nicer than unfiltered water.

Method

  • Water Softener: Operates through the ion exchange progress, replacing hardness materials like calcium and magnesium with sodium or potassium ions.
  • Water Filter: Filters water through the use of reverse osmosis, carbon filters, and others.

Installation

  • Water Softener: Tend to come in the form of whole-house systems, usually installed at the main water line to make sure softened water comes through all of the taps in the house.
  • Water Filters: Can come as a whole-house water filtration system, but often installed undersink, making installation more straightforward.

Maintenance

  • Water Softener: Salt refills needed every few weeks with occasional cleaning of the resin.
  • Water Filter: Cartridges need replacement every few months depending on the type of system, but overall little maintenance is needed. 

Price

  • Water Softener: The price of a water softener can range from £400-£2,000.
  • Water Filter: Water filters range even more drastically, with cheaper options valued at around £15, all the way up to £3000 at the higher end. This depends on the type of water filtration system.

 

Should I Get A Water Softener Or A Water Filter?

Ultimately, deciding on whether to get a water softener or a water filter purely depends on what you want to achieve.

For those in a hard water area who want to soften the water to make cleaning easier, the water softener is a great option.

If you are displeased by the quality of the drinking water coming from your tap, a water filtration system is the answer.

Depending on your water needs and where you live in the UK, you could find yourself needing a water softener and a water filter.

For example, if you reside in a hard water area and want to remove contaminants from drinking water, it could be beneficial for you to invest in both.

 

Find Out More About Generating Clean Water

To conclude, there are many key differences between water softeners and water filters, which we hope we have covered clearly.

However, if you have any further questions regarding either of the two, our Help Centre can assist you. For more information, check out our other guides for advice and product information.

Whether you want a softener, a filter, or one of each, Finerfilters stock premium products for these categories. With a decade of experience in the industry, we are happy to harness our expertise to help you.