water softener tank

Water Softener vs. Conditioner: Which is Best?

If you’re looking into water treatment systems for your home, you may have come across the terms “water softeners” and “water conditioners.” While both systems aim to improve water quality by reducing hardness, they work differently and have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Water softeners use ion exchange to remove minerals that cause water hardness, while water conditioners alter the structure of the minerals without removing them.

How To Read Your Water Quality Report

If you rely on water from your city, you may have received a water quality report. Anyone who pays for public tap water can request this annual report free from the government. Renters may need to ask the building owner for a copy or see if the report is publicly available.

Water glass with contaminants chart.

Why Do I Need a Water Filter?

Just because your tap water looks and tastes fine doesn’t mean it is. Sometimes, tap water contains chemicals and impurities that could harm you and cause problems to your appliances. Yes, it happens. We’re not saying this applies to all homes but in many cases, unfiltered tap water just isn’t safe enough.

Bags full of used plastic water bottles.

Bottled Water vs Filtered Tap Water: Important Facts

Americans consume around 1,500 disposable plastic water bottles each second, or nearly 2.2 million each day. Many Americans place a high trust in bottled water, and assume it’s safer than tap water. The truth is there are virtually no real benefits to consuming bottled water. Most bottled water is little more than over-priced tap water in a bottle that contributes to over 2 million tons of plastic waste in our landfills every year.

Filter and reverse osmosis tank of a water filtration system.

Comparing Water Filter Technology

Depending on the type of water filter you’re interested in, you may be able to choose from a range of different water filter technologies including mechanical, activated carbon, reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and ultraviolet light filtration. With so many options to choose from, it’s important to understand these filter technologies to determine which option is best suited for your needs. To assist you with the buying process, we’ll explain how each of them work.