Look no further if you’re attempting to decide whether or not to install a water softener or reverse osmosis. We recognize that trying to grasp what reverse osmosis and water softening can accomplish for you can be difficult since many websites employ complex terms that only people who are already experienced with water treatment would understand. That’s why we designed this simple guide to help you understand the difference between a water softener and reverse osmosis.
Key Differences Between Water Softener or Reverse Osmosis
Water Quality: Water softener systems may decrease magnesium and calcium levels in the water, but they may not remove various other dangerous contaminants. It has no effect on water TDS levels. Total dissolved solids (TDS) include sodium, manganese, magnesium, iron, sulfate, chloride, nitrate, and carbonate. Reverse Osmosis, on the other hand, has been shown to remove 95-99 percent of pollutants from water. These devices are used to filter water that is heavy in organic and inorganic contaminants. Permeable membranes are used to remove hazardous and inorganic contaminants from water.
Taste: The compounds in water have an effect on its taste. Reverse osmosis can remove about 90% of contaminants in water and the associated odors. Water softeners, on the other hand, remove a significant amount of calcium, iron, and magnesium from water, making it suitable for daily use but not necessarily suitable for drinking. The taste of water is also slightly influenced by the residual sodium ions that are added to the water.
Efficiency: Residential or commercial reverse osmosis can be costly, although under-the-sink systems are relatively cheap. All reverse osmosis systems may have daily capacity constraints and frequently require pre and post-water treatment, as well as storage tanks and, in certain cases, re-pressurization systems. A water softener system has capacity limits as well, but there are several other alternatives to ensure that there are no interruption hard water breakthroughs. A true whole-house reverse osmosis installation takes up much more room, and the energy usage is far more than that of a water softener.
Repair and Maintenance: Reverse osmosis systems may require frequent filter changes, but they are simple to maintain. On the other hand, water softening systems require regular pre-filter replacements and salt additions.
Can I Use Both of These Systems?
Absolutely. In fact, a water softener will safeguard and extend the life of the reverse osmosis membrane. The water softener softens the water in your home, benefiting your pipes, fixtures, appliances, skin, and hair. Installing a reverse osmosis system under a sink might deliver purified water at a separate tap for drinking and cooking. Depending on the impurities in your water, you may require an additional whole-house system to treat them.
Whatever system you choose, make sure you get the best water softener brands from a reputable water softener equipment supplier like AWS. We offer both point-of-entry and whole-house reverse osmosis systems in both commercial and residential settings. Similarly, we offer various varieties of water softeners. Contact us today to get a free estimate or for more information about our water softeners Austin and water softener prices.