Keep reading to find the answer to this question that so many are asking: “What does a water conditioner do?”
Drinking water is an essential resource for our daily lives, and the quality of the water we use can greatly impact our health and well-being. For those of us living in Clearwater, Tampa, St. Petersburg or other parts of central Florida, hard water is a very real problem.
One popular solution to address this a water conditioner. As we like to put it, any solution is better than nothing.
What Does a Water Conditioner Do?
To begin, let’s differentiate water conditioners from water softeners. While water softeners primarily target water hardness by removing minerals like calcium and magnesium, water conditioners do this and also add an additional filtration process.
First, water conditioners employ a process called ion exchange to soften water. The conditioner contains a tank filled with resin beads, which are charged with sodium ions. As hard water passes through the resin bed, the calcium and magnesium ions in the water attach to the resin beads, displacing the sodium ions. The result is softened water that is free from the harmful effects of excess minerals.
Next, water conditioners use a carbon filter to reduce chlorine and lead levels in the water, making it better for drinking. Obviously, anything is better than nothing, though two drawbacks should be noted:
- A water conditioner does not remove all of the chlorine and lead. It is also not designed to remove arsenic, chromium, chloroform, cadmium, harmful bacteria or pharmaceuticals.
- Most activated carbon filters result in the need for routine filter changes due to bacterial growth.
Related: How Often Should You Service a Water Filtration System?
Benefits of a Water Conditioner
First and foremost, it helps protect your plumbing system by preventing the buildup of scale and mineral deposits, extending the lifespan of your pipes and fixtures.
Additionally, softened water provides improved efficiency for water heaters and appliances. This reduces energy consumption and saves you money on utility bills. Softened water also leaves your skin and hair feeling smoother and reduces the need for excessive soap and detergent usage.
Furthermore, by eliminating scale buildup, water conditioners contribute to cleaner, spot-free dishes and sparkling glassware.
Finding the Right System
Getting the right system includes testing your water to understand what’s in it. Keep in mind a water conditioner only addresses the hardness of the water. It does not necessarily remove all the contaminants to ensure it is ideal for drinking.
Purity Bay specializes in a wide range of home water solutions. This includes water softeners, reverse-osmosis systems, whole home water filtration systems and anything in between. Whether you need help selecting a water system or servicing an existing system, our experienced team can help you out!
