Oftentimes, people tout the benefits of a reverse osmosis system. Yes, these water purifiers can do almost anything to improve your water, even soften it, but you should not compare them to water softeners. In fact, comparing the two is like saying whether apples or oranges are better. Both have their merits and different applications.
Reverse Osmosis and Water Softening
A reverse osmosis system is a water purification device. Water goes through five separate filters to remove 99% impurities and up to 96% dissolved minerals that make water hard. After purification, the water will taste better and be softened. Sending water through multiple filters gets unwanted components out, but it requires time. High-quality reverse osmosis systems can only filter 50 gallons per day, which makes these units ideal for producing drinking water but not for treating all the water in your home.
Hard Water Impacts a Reverse Osmosis System Can’t Help
Hard water comes in two forms – temporary and permanent. The former causes scale deposits inside kettles, cooking pots, and water heaters. Boiling temporary hard water causes the calcium and magnesium dissolved in it to precipitate out and settle at the bottom of the heated container. Permanent hard water has sulfates in it plus calcium and magnesium. These minerals cause soap scum to make scrubbing your shower a pain in the neck.
With a reverse osmosis system, you can only prevent scale in kettles and coffee pots by using purified water. However, the reverse osmosis system does not treat water that goes into your water heater or shower.
Water Softeners
Water softeners replace the calcium and magnesium in hard water with salts to soften the water. A water softener conducts this ion exchange as water enters your home before it reaches your water heater and other plumbing fixtures. This system is the only way to prevent hard water damage throughout the home.
Get a Water Softener or Reverse Osmosis System for Your Home
A reverse osmosis system purifies small amounts of water while a water softener protects your whole home from hard water harm. You can have both in your home and benefit because they serve different purposes. Contact us at Oceanus today to find out more about these and other water treatment solutions for your home.
Sources
https://besthomewatertreatmentsystems.com/products/reverse-osmosis/
https://www.britannica.com/science/hard-water
https://besthomewatertreatmentsystems.com/products/water-softener/
https://besthomewatertreatmentsystems.com/contact-us
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