Would appreciate any info on pluses and minuses of whole house water filer versus a traditional water softener??? Live in Tucson where water is hard… have heard about ion-exchange type of water softener but also saw water filter with replaceable inserts as a whole house option. Any suggestions??? Thanks
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This will give you a bump. Check the archives. This has been discussed before.
It's apples and oranges. Water treatment units [aka water softeners ] chemically change the water whereas filters eliminate sediment and/or remove chemicals depending on the type you buy but don't change hard water to soft water.
A water softener softens the water but doesn't remove any particulates in the water, nor does it do anything for taste/odor. A filter removes particulates and may (depending on type) help with taste/odor. There are also iron removal systems, and systems for "fixing" water that's too acid or too alkali.
As has already been pointed out, water softeners and water filters are two different animals, and address two different issues. Here's a link to some consumer info from U of Georgia that may be helpful.
http://www.engr.uga.edu/service/extension/publications/c819-10c.html
The best place to start is have your water tested.
A test will determine what is in the water, this info will help you chose the proper equipment for your application.
As was mention earlier there many ways to treat water, a little homework could save you some money.
If I recall Tucson is forced to have to go deeper and deeper for their water and thus what works today maybe marginal in a few years because apparently the water in the aquifer is getting more and more contaminated..