If you’re using a water softener at home, you might think your water’s fine. Yet, even after water is processed by a water softener, impurities may stay in the water you drink and use for cooking and cleaning. Reverse osmosis can eliminate those impurities from your already-softened water — including 98% of salt left in the water from the softening process. Do you need a water softener and a reverse osmosis system together? There are quite good reasons why reverse osmosis and a water softener make an excellent combination.
Reverse Osmosis and Water Softening Working Together
Softening Protects a Reverse Osmosis Filter
Reverse osmosis filters are fragile. Although there is typically a debris filter in front of the reverse osmosis membrane, reverse osmosis has a tough time getting rid of or minimizing calcium and magnesium – the minerals that make water hard. So by using a water softener with an RO drinking water system, the water softener will decrease the minerals in water, for a first layer of filtering and protection before water goes to reverse osmosis. This will make the reverse osmosis filtering more efficient and improve the lifespan of the system.
Better Quality Water
Many people who have a home water softener system also have a reverse osmosis system in the kitchen area. Such a system can be mounted to a kitchen faucet, a refrigerator-freezer, or both. To put it simply, a reverse osmosis system goes a step further than your water softener, making sure the water you consume is even cleaner. Reverse osmosis tech has been used to desalinate ocean water. Today, many homes enjoy better water thanks to much smaller RO systems installed in the kitchen.
A softener and a reverse osmosis filtration system are a high quality combo since the softener provides soft water throughout the entire house by getting rid of minerals that make your water hard and reverse osmosis gives your home the purest drinking water by getting rid of most pollutants (including of hydrocarbons, sulfates, cadmium, pesticides and more).
Cost Savings
Most people who like water softeners have found it cuts home energy costs, too. More benefits, and cost savings, include fixtures and appliances lasting longer and more efficient cleaning – for clothing, bed sheets, dishwashers, yourself and more. A water softener can pay for itself quite quickly.
Reverse osmosis system users find they save money, too. After installing an RO system, they can cut bottled water out of the grocery budget. In addition to that most households save by buying fewer sugary drinks, which is a clear health positive, too. A conditioner and reverse osmosis filter are an excellent pair for your budget, and supplying clean, quality water.
More on Reverse Osmosis
Many people are familiar with reverse osmosis systems, but what’s reverse osmosis do? An RO system makes purified water for drinking, food prep, cleaning and any other purpose. A reverse osmosis filtering system makes drinking water safer by filtering out lead, salt, nitrates and other contaminants. Even if your water originates from a municipal water distributor, your water may taste and smell better because a reverse osmosis system also removes chlorine.
What Can I Do About Hard Water?
If you already have a reverse osmosis drinking water system, don’t stop there. Your home could still have hard water, and you might be thinking about options for treating it. Hard water has liquified calcium, magnesium and iron. A lot of residences have hard water, whether the water is from a well or a public water supplier. The common signs are:
- Mineral deposits on shower heads, faucets and fixtures
- Soap scum in sinks, bathtubs and faucets
- Dishes and glasses which don’t get clean
- Poor water pressure
- Filmy feeling on skin after showering
- Soap and detergent don’t work well
- Poor results with laundry
While a RO system will decontaminate and purify your water, it will not help against the damage hard water may do on appliances, fixtures and the plumbing system in a home. A reverse osmosis membrane will last longer and work better if you soften water before going through it.
Considerations with a Reverse Osmosis System
If you already have a home water softener system, you need to select a reverse osmosis system that will not interfere with keeping that system. It shouldn’t change the functioning or quality of the water softener. It pays to check warranties or the fine print with both systems so you know what’s covered, what you shouldn’t do and more details about what’s being installed in your home. Find out how much sound each system makes to make sure noise won’t be an issue. Ask or learn about filter life and routine upkeep so you’ll know how to stay up to date.
Advantages of a Reverse Osmosis System
By using a reverse osmosis system and a water softener, you’re giving your family the purest drinking water possible. Reverse osmosis removes a variety of pollutants that are typically in tap water. This is making your drinking water taste better. With a reverse osmosis system you can be confident you’re providing your family members clean, purified water that is so essential to health, wellbeing and comfort.
South End Water Filtration specializes in HALO Water Filter products including the HALO H2 Zero Whole Home Water Filter. HALO systems solve hard water problems, give your family clear, great-tasting water and are totally maintenance free. We’re just a click away to help and answer any questions. South End Plumbing and South End Water Filtration will give you a free estimate. Call us at 704-486-1988 or contact us online to schedule a visit.