Reverse Osmosis vs Water Softener Systems: The Differences, Explained

When comparing reverse osmosis vs water softener systems, which should you choose? We explain the key differences to consider to help you decide. To know more about water system Visit Alivewater.ca

Do your hands still feel slimy even after washing with soap and water?

It’s most probably the water in your area. For places that have hard water, this is a common problem. That’s because hard water has more dissolved minerals like calcium, which can leave a film of residue on hands, hair, laundry, dishes, etc. 

Now, if you don’t like hard water, you can invest in a water softening system. You can also buy a reverse osmosis system, but keep in mind that the two have different functions.

That said, let’s talk about reverse osmosis vs. water softener systems and why you might need both if your area has hard water.

What Is Reverse Osmosis?

RO or reverse osmosis systems remove water contaminants and minerals through several stages of filtration. By using an RO unit, your family gets to enjoy safe, better-tasting water. 

Investing in a reverse osmosis system is also more cost-effective than buying bottled water. Of course, you may need to upgrade to a larger reverse osmosis system if you have a large household. 

What Is a Water Softener System?

If an RO unit can remove minerals, does that mean you don’t need a water softening system?

While a reverse osmosis system can remove minerals from water, it’s not as effective as eliminating Ca (calcium) or Mg (magnesium) from the best water softener (WS) system. You also need to think about your RO system’s lifespan. 

The more it filters hard water, the harder it has to work. Since this type of water contains a high concentration of minerals, it can also cause a mineral build-up on your reverse osmosis unit. If you continue just using a WS system, your reverse osmosis filtration unit will be less effective, or it might even break down before its replacement time.

Some Tips for Choosing a Water Softener System and an RO Water Filter

Now that you understand how you don’t need to choose between a WS system or a reverse osmosis filter, it’s time to think about types of water softener systems and other shopping considerations.

Of course, you have to consider your budget. Whether it’s a reverse osmosis filter or water softening system, don’t forget about the initial costs and maintenance expenses.

If you’re not sure how much to save for those purchases, a quick search online can help. For example, you can look for “water softener system cost” and maybe add your city to know the current home water treatment prices. 

Reverse Osmosis vs. Water Softener: Do You Have More Questions?

If yes, that’s good. Since you understand that investing in both systems is better, learning more about them can help you make more informed buying decisions.

Even if you don’t have to search “reverse osmosis vs. water softener” anymore, you can still read up on how they work, which types will be best for your home, and so on. 

For more home safety-related articles like this, you can check out our other posts. We also have various topics you might be interested in, including tech, money, leadership, etc., so feel free to stick around to discover more exciting content.