What’s the Difference Between a Water Softener and a Water Conditioner?

August 10, 2021

Homeowners often find themselves looking for the best way to treat their home’s water and reduce the impact of hard water and other common problems. Two popular options are water softeners and water conditioners—both are used to treat water, but they produce significantly different results. They also have different configurations and installation processes. Read on to find out about the differences between the two, and for some help determining which one might be right for your needs.

Water softener

If your tap water is hard, you may need to invest in a water softener. Hard water contains a high level of dissolved minerals and affects the vast majority of American homes. These minerals usually show up in hard water in the form calcium and magnesium ions. Water collects these ions as it percolates through the ground.

Hard water has an impact on your home and your body. These mineral deposits leave their mark when they come into contact with surfaces in the home. This is known as scaling. Take a look at the fixtures and features in your bathroom, such as the shower doors. If you find a white scale buildup, it likely means you have hard water.

This scale will also accumulate inside your plumbing over time. Hard water’s scale buildup will also have an impact on appliances that use water, like the dishwasher or water heater. It can reduce the efficiency of these appliances and shorten their lifespan.

Mineral deposits also affect people’s bodies, as they can be hard on your hair and skin. A water softener deals with these issues by removing chemicals and other substances from the water. It will also remove hard water’s occasionally unpleasant taste. However, it’s worth noting that water softeners do require electricity and drainage lines. You must also periodically add salt to the system for it to work properly.

Water conditioners

These are designed to removed unwanted substances from water that can affect its taste or smell. A water conditioner will remove compounds from the water, making it safe to drink. Substances a high-quality water conditioner will remove include:

  • Chlorine
  • Volatile organic compounds
  • Organic gases
  • Chloramines

Water conditioners work in a variety of ways. Some filter out unwanted substances as the water passes through, whereas others alter the structure of minerals in the water. These systems utilize a material called template-assisted crystallization to offer the many benefits of soft water around the home. Water conditioners are very effective at reducing the scaling that comes with hard water.

Whether you’re considering a water softener or a water conditioner, turn to WES Water for help with product selection, installation and maintenance. We offer a wide range of water purification, remediation and water filtration products and services. With over three decades of experience in the water purifier industry, we’re the experts you can count on to meet your specific water treatment needs.

We’re pleased to provide water conditioning and purification solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Contact us today to find out more and schedule your first appointment!

Categorised in: ,

WES Water