Whole House Filters/Softeners vs. Whole House Reverse Osmosis

There is a lot of conflicting information available to the consumer when trying to figure out the best whole house water treatment solution. Home owners researching solutions will come across whole house filters, softeners, and reverse osmosis, and more often than not these systems can be advertised as interchangeable while the key qualities that make these systems unique are shadowed. Likewise, water treatment companies that specialize in one certain system will discredit other systems, further distorting an already jumbled image of home water treatment. Find out everything there is to know about each of these whole house solutions here:

Whole House Filters - These filters are commonly advertised to treat odors and improve the taste of your water throughout your home. The main player in a whole house filter is typically carbon filtration. Carbon filters are primarily designed to treat chlorine, chemical tastes & odors, organic chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and others. Carbon whole house filters are best used for homes using municipal city-treated water sources where chlorine can be overpowering in your drinking water or bathing water that irritates your skin. Homes using private wells can also benefit from carbon filters to treat organic chemicals that may be present, especially if living near an agricultural area where run-off or leaching can affect your well.

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Whole House Softener - These systems are very well-known by home owners to remove hard water minerals and prevent limescale build up in pipes and on water-using appliances and surfaces. Hard water minerals (primarily calcium and magnesium) can be found in city water sources and private well water so a water softener can benefit any home owner looking for soft scale-free water throughout their home. Common misconceptions with water softeners stems from salt-free vs. salt-based water softeners. While the appeal of salt-free water "softeners" is apparent, these systems are mislabeled as softeners because hard water minerals cannot be removed without using a salt-based softener resin. Without the salt, or brine, regeneration the water does not come out soft. Salt-free systems are a great alternative to standard water softeners for those who dislike the feeling of soft water or just want to go green, but if you're looking for true soft, scale-free water, you'll need salt.

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Whole House Reverse Osmosis - RO systems can be advertised to do the same as the two systems above and are too-often recommended to treat chlorine tastes and odors, hard water, iron, and others. These contaminants can actually foul the RO membrane, resulting in costly replacements as well as a costly investment in the wrong type of system. If you are looking to only treat chlorine, hard water, or iron, you can go with the appropriate (and cheaper) water filter or softener.
Reverse osmosis is designed to remove high salts from the water, so it is appropriate if you have salty or brackish water. If your water contains any of the above contaminants then it is recommended to have a filter or softener before the RO to prolong and protect your RO system. Whole house RO systems are great to use on city-treated water sources and for homes using private wells, however a customized whole house RO system built specifically for well water sources should be considered for optimum results and longevity.

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Do you have a question about whole house water treatment or want to know which system is the best for your home? Our educated and unbiased customer support team at RainDance Water Systems can review your water quality and recommend the best type of treatment to give you the results you are looking for. Contact us today!