What's A Water Softener vs. a Water Filter?

People often use the terms "water softener" and "water filter" interchangeably. They assume they are the same thing. Well, aren't they? Nope.

A water softener will truly remove hard water minerals such as calcium and magnesium. It makes the water feel slippery soft. Hard water is not a health hazard. In fact, most water naturally has some hardness. After all, it's just minerals. However, many people don't like the effects of hard water on their appliances, tubs, and fixtures. It creates scale build-up over time, leave spots on dishes, and causes you to use more shampoo and detergents.

On the other hand, a filter is removing specific contaminants from the water such as chlorine, heavy metals or fluoride. The type of filter you purchase will determine which specific contaminants it will remove. There are, of course, many different types of filters. There are countertop filters, undercounter filters, coolers, and whole house water filters.

To decide which option is best for you (or perhaps a combination of both technologies), visit us at www.puriteam.com and we would be happy to provide a recommendation based on your needs.

The Better Water Blog: Ugh! I can't believe this.

The Better Water Blog: Ugh! I can't believe this.

Ugh! I can't believe this.

I very recently moved into a new home. The buyers of my previous home requested that the PurHome X-1000 whole house water filter remain in the home. I thought, well, that's OK, I can get a new whole house water filter at my new house in the next few weeks.

Then we moved into our home and tried the water. Honestly, it's horrible. Yes, people accuse me of being a water snob, but this stuff is BAD! It smells like chlorine (I would even go so far as to say bleachy), it tastes likes a nasty combination of chlorine and salt. I cannot bear to choke it down. So me, the biggest proponent of whole house water filters is forced to drink bottled water until I can get my new filter installed, which I hope will be days and not weeks.

At first, I thought I could wait a few weeks before installing it, but now I know I cannot wait another week! Thank goodness my dad is quite skilled at these installations, since he's installed both PurHome X-1000's and X-5's all over town here for friends and family. So my next call will be to him begging him to install another filter for me. Sorry, dad, but I really do appreciate it!