Water Purifier vs Water Softener
Are you looking to improve the quality of your water? A water purifier and water softener can make a huge difference in enhancing the taste and health of your water. While both help enhance the flavor of your water, each serves a different purpose. Water purifiers eliminate a wide range of harmful contaminants, while water softeners remove calcium and magnesium from water and add small amounts of sodium. Read our guide to learn more about the differences between the two and find the right system for your home.
What Is a Water Purifier?
Water is a critical part of human life and plays a vital role in various aspects of your daily routine. We use it for drinking, cooking, washing, gardening, and more! . While most of our world’s water is made up of ocean salt water, it is the freshwater sources such as lakes and rivers that serve as our primary water supply. These sources are often susceptible to contamination by bacteria and parasites, posing potential risks to our health. This is where water purifiers step in, protecting us from life-threatening contaminants from our water. Water purifiers can effectively remove bacteria, heavy metals, chemicals, and other harmful substances. Not only does this process ensure the safety and purity of your water, but can enhance its taste and odor.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF WATER PURIFICATION?
Throughout history, scientists and engineers have worked hard to develop new and improved ways to access cleaner water. There are several types of water filters to choose from. Here are some of the most common ways to purify water:
1. Distillation
During this process, water is heated and boiled into steam. . The vapor moves through a condenser where it can cool down and turn back into its liquid form. The water then becomes clean enough to drink. Often, water will be taken through the distillation process multiple times to further ensure its cleanliness.
2. Ultraviolet Light
UV light is a highly reliable and safe process for eliminating viruses and bacteria from water. This method requires more energy to work, making it a lot more expensive than the other purifier options.
3. Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis uses pressure to eliminate harmful bacteria. In this process, water is pushed through a semipermeable membrane that helps remove dissolved inorganic solids like salt, lead, chlorine, fluoride, and pesticides.
TOP 5 BENEFITS OF WATER PURIFIERS
If you are looking for clean and safe water, then a water purifier is a better solution than a water softener. Here are five benefits to look for when improving the quality of your water:
- Improves the taste of your water.
- Removes strong odors
- Decreases your chances of getting diseases and illnesses, including cancer.
- Removes harmful chemicals and lead.
- Improves your children’s immune system.
When you install a home water purification system in your home, you don’t have to worry about drinking your water or it causing any harm to those who live in your home.
What Is a Water Softener?
Even after water has been purified, it can still be left with various minerals like magnesium, calcium, and iron. These minerals can cause buildup in your pipes and be rough on your skin and water-using appliances. This water is called “hard water” and how hard your water is depends on where you live and the amount of minerals in the water. In fact, we have a pretty big problem here in Utah when it comes to hard water. Learn more about the hardness water level, depending where you live in Utah.
If your water is hard, you should install a water softener. The water softener will decrease the amount of minerals in your water. Keep reading to learn more about how it works and how installing one could benefit you and your family
HOW DO WATER SOFTENERS WORK?
The hard water is sent through a mineral tank. That is where beads will draw the minerals out of the water and replace them with sodium ions. The water then enters the home where regeneration occurs. In this process, a brine tank will send saltwater through the mineral tank to flush hard minerals out and replace them with sodium ions. The whole process repeats itself to ensure as many minerals are removed as possible.
TOP 5 BENEFITS OF WATER SOFTENERS
No need to worry about hard water anymore! Here some benefits you can look forward to when installing a water softener in your home:
- Clean, soft, and hydrated skin
- Plumbing stays in better condition
- A decrease in utility bills
- Cleaner dishes and laundry
- Limits soap scum on faucets and shower walls.
Even though a water softener can effectively reduce the hardness of your water, you will still want to invest in a water purifier to make your water safe enough to consume.
Install Water Purifier or Water Softener in Your Home
At Shamrock Plumbing, we understand how important it is to have access to water that is as clean and mineral-free as possible. Should you need any of our installation or repair services when it comes to water purifiers and water softeners, please give us a call today!