Hard Water Filter -Water Softener
People usually buy hard water filters also known as water softeners for their homes in order to soften their hard water by eliminating minerals such as calcium and magnesium. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that perhaps 15% of homes in the Untied States have soft water. The vast majority of the homes have a higher level of mineral content in their water however this does not create a health danger and there are reports stating that the higher level of minerals in hard water may be good for your health.
Problems Caused by Hard Water
It can hurt the inside surfaces of water pipes, tea kettles and faucets and can give an unattractive look to your sinks and counter tops. Hard water also makes it difficult to wash kitchen items, clothing or people because the soap you use will not create much lather and some of the soap will not dissolve and wash off. By washing your hair with hard water your hair will not be as smooth compared to using soft water.
How Hard Water Filters (Water Softeners) Work
Hard water filters create a chemical change to your water by using a process called ion exchange. This process will soften the water by exchanging sodium chloride (salt) for minerals that cause hard water which are primarily calcium, iron and magnesium. In typical water softener systems the water in your house will travel through a resin tank in which the chemical change will occur and your water will become softened. A typical water softener includes a resin tank which contains a resin bed inside and a brine tank. Soft water has a higher level of sodium than hard water so water passed through a hard water filter unit might not be healthy for some people.
Magnetic Water Softeners
These are relatively new systems. The water flows through a magnetic field which changes the magnesium and calcium so they do not create scale in your pipes and other items. The conditioned water actually keeps its calcium level and this can be good for your health. You should know that some experts are skeptical that this process actually works so you might want to do some research before you buy this type of system.
Please note that hard water filters work on minerals and not bacteria or chemicals that might be in your water. If you want to eliminate the impurities in your water that can be bad for your health you might what to use a water filtration system along with your hard water filter. Some people believe a water filtration system can soften your water to some extent but they are not nearly as good as a water softening system.
