Water Filters vs. Water Softeners – What’s the Difference?

Should you get a water softener or a water filter?

If you’re concerned about the quality of your tap water, you could invest in a high-tech water filter – reverse osmosis filtration systems are quite effective for Utah homes. But is installing a water softener a better idea?

To figure out the answer to that question, you need to understand how the two treatment options differ.

Water Filter Systems

Water filters, as you might expect, filter out harmful pollutants and contaminants from your household supply.

Carbon filters capture large particulates, and they can be formulated to address specific contamination concerns like arsenic or chlorine. High-quality reverse osmosis purification systems – like those made by Kinetico — can efficiently eliminate these along with a wide range of other impurities. As such, a reverse osmosis filtration system is likely to improve the quality of what’s flowing from your tap more than a carbon filtration system.

Water Softener Systems

Water softeners are filters – but instead of removing harmful contaminants, they filter out minerals that create hard water.

Hardness may not be hazardous to your health, but the effects can be problematic. The calcium and magnesium ions hard water contains cause soap scum buildup, dingy laundry and dry, itchy skin. Plus, the minerals leave limescale deposits in your pipes –which not only wreaks havoc on your plumbing system, but also shortens the lifespan of your washing machine, dishwasher and any other household appliance that uses water. Softeners do away with these issues, and Kinetico’s non-electric, on-demand softening systems feature a compact twin-tank design and use much less salt than softeners made by other brands.

Do You Need a Water Filter or Water Softener?

Depending upon where you live in Utah, you may have a number of contaminants threatening your household water supply. And while mineral composition differs from region to region, hardness is also a problem throughout much of the state.

The easiest way to decide on a treatment solution is to get your supply tested for impurities and minerals. After a thorough analysis, you’ll know exactly what it contains – and a treatment specialist can recommend a cost-effective system that solves your quality problems.

That may be a reverse osmosis filtration system, a softening system – or both. Homeowners don’t have to choose one or the other, and installing a reverse osmosis system in addition to a softener is often the ideal solution.

At Kinetico Utah, a decade-long industry leader serving Salt Lake City and the surrounding northern Utah area offers a selection of innovative filtration and softening systems. We’re known for providing advanced treatment solutions at affordable prices, and our commitment to customer service is second to none.

The Kinetico Utah team is always happy to answer questions, and we’d love to help make sure you and your family have a steady supply of safe, soft water. For more information on the products and services we offer, or to schedule a free, no-obligation quality test and consultation to determine if you need a water filter, water softener or both, contact our office in Draper, Utah, today.

How Does Reverse Osmosis Work?

Utah RO system installation

Reverse osmosis is an advanced water purification process, one that can greatly improve the quality of your water. Installing an RO system is an effective way to get safe, great-tasting drinking water – and the components last a long time, so each glass will cost just a few pennies.

For details on how the water purification method works, what an RO system can remove from your drinking water and answers to your questions about installation, take a look at the following guide.

The Reverse Osmosis Process

Reverse osmosis is a high-tech solution to drinking water quality problems, but the way RO systems work isn’t all that difficult to understand.

The process essentially involves using pressure to force water through a semi-permeable membrane. The holes are just large enough to allow water molecules through – impurities are trapped, and even small contaminant particles get flushed away. As such, the drinking water produced through the RO process is clean, clear and delicious.

Impurities Removed through Reverse Osmosis

Install an RO system, and you won’t have to worry about the quality of your household drinking water – you’ll be providing your family with a supply that’s free of many potentially harmful contaminants. The pollutants and impurities filtered out by the semi-permeable RO membrane include:

  • Arsenic
  • Lead
  • Iron
  • Floride
  • Mercury
  • Copper
  • Sulfate
  • Cadmium
  • Sodium

And that’s just a few of the contaminants removed through the RO process. Organic, inorganic and chemical byproducts of the water disinfection process are also trapped, and high-quality RO systems contain additional filters to remove particulates and sediments.

Installing a Reverse Osmosis System

RO systems are typically installed under the kitchen sink or in the  basement or a utility closet.

You can also opt to hook up your reverse osmosis system to a refrigerator or ice maker. And if you already have a water softener or are planning on installing one, you won’t have any issues – in fact, because hard water damages the RO membrane, having a softener will extend the lifespan of your RO system.

Do you have any questions? For expert answers and advice on drinking water purification systems, turn to the professional team at Kinetico Utah.

An industry leader serving residential clients throughout the state of Utah, we’ve been helping homeowners get clean, great-tasting drinking water for more than 30 years. We offer a range of affordable treatment solutions, including the Kinetico K5 reverse osmosis system. To learn more, contact us and schedule a free consultation today.

How Often Do Water Softening Systems Need Servicing?

Are water softeners hard to take care of

High-quality water softening systems, like those designed by Kinetico, require very little attention. Invest in one, and other than adding salt – which you’ll do far less often than with a traditional softener – you’ll only need to schedule regular service calls.

So, how often will that be necessary? Most softening system manufacturers recommend yearly servicing by a water treatment professional. Below, you’ll find four reasons why annual service calls are essential for a well-functioning water softener.

Cleaning & Sanitizing

During an annual service call, a treatment professional will thoroughly clean out the brine tank and sanitize your water softening system. These are tasks you could handle on your own, but neither is particularly easy – and if you’re like most homeowners, you’ll rest easier with an expert taking care of the cleaning and sanitization.

Settings Optimization

When you get your softening system professionally serviced, you can count on the settings being optimized to suit the needs of your family. You might be using more or less water than before, and an expert knows how to make sure that the equipment setup is right for your household.

Component Maintenance

High-quality water softening systems that don’t use electricity – like those we offer here at Kinetico Utah — don’t need repairs or replacement parts nearly as often as traditional models. That said, just like every other appliance, components can get worn over time. During a service call, a professional will inspect every part of your softener and, if necessary, complete any repair work. They’ll catch any problems early on, before they grow to cause more extensive issues.

Water Quality Testing

In addition to all of the above, treatment professionals also typically perform water quality testing as part of every annual service call. Based on the results, you’ll know if your household supply is safe or if it contains any biological, chemical or physical contaminants. And in the event the latter is true, an expert can recommend an effective filtration system, one that works with your softener.

Clearly, annual servicing by a water treatment professional is key to ensuring a water softener operates efficiently for as long as possible. If you’re ready to schedule a service call – or if you’re interested in installing a new softening system – reach out to Kinetico Utah.

We’ve been a trusted regional industry leader for more than 30 years, known for our advanced water treatment solutions, competitive pricing and exceptional customer care. For more information on our water softening systems or their servicing needs, contact our office in Draper, Utah, today.

Is Your Utah Drinking Water Safe?

Safety considerations of Utah tap water

A recent study has revealed that millions of Americans are drinking water that doesn’t meet approved health standards.

Is your family among those millions? Or is your household supply safe to drink?

If you don’t want to worry whether your tap water is fit for drinking, you’ll need to take action. Here’s how to preserve the quality of water in your Utah home.

Test Your Drinking Water

Whether you get your water from a private well or municipal source, testing it is the best way to ensure the supply is safe to drink. If your water is provided by a municipal water company you can contact your water provider or visit their website and view the drinking water report they provide. This will allow you to see which contaminants they are testing for and what the levels are.

Test kits are also widely available, but interpreting the results and figuring out how to effectively eliminate any contaminants that are present can be a challenge.

If you turn to Kinetico Utah, our expert team will offer advice on treatment solutions free of charge.

Install a Filtration System

If testing shows that your tap water is contaminated filtering it can make it safe for drinking. You have your choice of several under sink and faucet filters, and you can get filters that target specific contaminants.

To make sure your family has safe drinking water, however, you may be better off installing a reverse osmosis filtration system. The reverse osmosis process removes the following:

  • Chemical contaminants, lead, copper and arsenic etc
  • Organic, inorganic and chemical byproducts of disinfection
  • Sediments, particulates and physical contaminants
  • Kinetico also offers filters that remove viruses, bacteria and other biological contaminants

Call on the Kinetico Utah Team

At Kinetico Utah, we offer highly effective treatment systems that are backed by an industry-leading warranty. Homeowners across the state rely on us to make their tap water safe, and we’re ready to do the same for you — at a price that meets your budget.

To learn more about our products and the reverse osmosis process, or to schedule a free, no-obligation estimate for a filtration system installation, contact our Draper, Utah, office today.

https://deq.utah.gov/drinking-water/utahs-drinking-water

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/02/millions-americans-drink-potentially-unsafe-tap-water-how-does-your-county-stack

Do You Need a Water Softener? Here’s How to Tell

Utah water softeners

If you have hard water, you should seriously consider installing a water softener. Without one, mineral buildup can create plumbing issues, reduce the lifespan of your appliances and increase your home energy costs.

So, how do you know if you have hard water? Here are the telltale signs that you could benefit from water softener installation.

Scale Residue

Take a look at your faucets, fixtures and showerheads. If you see limescale or mineral deposits, you probably have hard water. The same is true if you notice rust-colored stains in your sinks or toilets, and in either case, the solution lies in a softening system.

Appliance Problems

If your dishwasher isn’t getting your dishes as clean as it used to – or if your washing machine seems to be leaving a residue on your clothing — hard water is the likely culprit. Install a softening system, and you can have cleaner dishes and clothes.

Itchy Dry Skin

If anyone in your household has noticed their skin getting dry and itchy, you could be in need of a water softener. Bathing or showering in hard water can cause skin irritation, particularly in those with eczema and other skin issues.

Dull or Dingy Hair

Using water that contains a high mineral content to wash and condition your hair makes thoroughly rinsing away the products quite difficult. And when residue is left behind, the result is limp, dull-looking hair.

Higher Energy Bills

As your appliances become less efficient and your pipes have to work harder, your water bills rise. If you’ve noticed that your monthly bill is rising, installing a water softener can help bring your costs down. And if you get yours from Kinetico, you’ll see even greater energy savings, as our softening systems don’t use electricity.

If you live in northern Utah and want to learn more about the benefits of installing a water softener – or if you ready to explore your softening system options – turn to the professional team at Kinetico Utah.

Kinetico has been an industry leader for decades, known for innovative and affordable solutions to hard water problems. And, we’re always happy to answer questions, offer advice and help home and business owners find effective ways to meet their treatment needs. For more information on our products, or to schedule a free professional consultation to discuss water softener installation with the Kinetico Utah team, contact our Draper office today.

Is DIY Water Filtration System Installation a Good Idea?

How to install a water filter

Are you thinking about taking the do-it-yourself approach to water filtration system installation?

Many people wonder it going the DIY route is possible, and yes, the task can be done. But as the saying goes, just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Here’s why you may be better off if you work with a water treatment professional.

Expertise in How to Improve Water Quality is Essential

Saving money is the primary reason people consider DIY water softening or filtration system installation. That might seem to make sense, but is keeping a few bucks in the bank worth the risk that the system installed actually may not do what you wanted it to?

To provide effective filtration, you need to understand how to assess the quality of the water. Without knowledge of what’s wrong with your supply, you can’t determine how to make improvements. And while you can use a kit to test the water yourself, professionals have the necessary expertise to properly interpret the results. Try that on your own, and you might end up choosing the wrong treatment system.

If you want to install a system yourself make sure you consult with a professional to ensure you are getting what you really need.

Improper Installation Can Result in Damage to your Home

Let’s assume you perform your own quality test, and you figure out which system is the best option to meet your water filtration needs. Why not make the installation a DIY project?

The truth is, reading tutorials and watching online videos may not be enough to learn how to handle the task. Installing a water filtration system can be a complex process, and it will involve plumbing modifications. If you make a misstep during the installation, you could inadvertently have leaks which can easily do hundreds or thousands of dollars in damage – which is exactly the opposite of what you’re trying to achieve.

Quality of DIYSystems

When looking to install a water softener or water filtration system the options available for DIY are generally going to be a big box store or find something on the internet. Generally these options are lower quality and need to be replaced much sooner. They may also provide less than the desired results and when parts or filters are needed they are very difficult, if not impossible to find.

We regularly work with clients who have gone this route and within a couple of years we are removing their DIY system and they are telling us that this was the most expensive way they could have tried to improve their water.  This is because the water system didn’t work very well, didn’t last very long or was so expensive to maintain.

Professional Installation Takes Much Less Time

How much time are you willing to spend on your filtration system? Getting a good grasp of how to effectively treat your water and the proper steps to take for installation is going to take a rather large time investment – and so is actually completing the work.

Let a water treatment professional take on the installation, and aside from the initial consultation and follow-up visit, the project will likely only take a couple of hours. Plus, you’ll have the peace of mind in knowing that the work was done correctly. Given that you’re pursuing water filtration to make sure your household supply is clean, safe and free of impurities, opting for professional installation is in your best interest.

Kinetico Utah, a decades-long water treatment industry leader based in Draper and serving Salt Lake City and the surrounding northern Utah area, offers solutions that are innovative, efficient and affordable. To learn more about our products, or to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and estimate for professional water filtration system installation, contact us today.

Water Softening – Answers to Your Top Questions

Utah water treatment system installation

Many homeowners in Salt Lake City and throughout Utah opt to have water softening systems installed. Should you follow suit?

To make a decision, you’ll likely need more information. The following guide from the Kinetico Utah team has answers to the most common questions people have about softeners, and a quick read should tell you what you want to know.

Why is Water Softening Necessary?

Hard water is safe for drinking and for household use, but over time, it can cause problems with your plumbing. When mineral deposits build up in the faucets and appliances, their openings grow narrower. This results in low pressure, and eventually they can become completely clogged.

In addition, hard water often creates soap scum and leaves limescale on fixture and appliances. And, using it to wash clothes leads to a dull, dingy-looking wardrobe.

By installing a softener, these issues can be avoided.

How Does Water Softening Work?

Softeners contain resin beads with ions that are oppositely charged to the mineral ions in hard water. The electrical charge difference in the beads attracts the minerals, which results in them being removed from the household supply.

A high quality water softening system can provide decades of operation, with very little maintenance. And since a softener saves you money on monthly energy bills and helps you avoid plumbing and appliance problems, installing one is a smart investment.

Does Softening Add Salt to the Drinking Water?

Water softeners use salt to eliminate minerals, and many people wonder how much of that remains behind. The answer is, almost none — the amount of sodium in the household supply after softening is quite minimal.

However, for those who are worried about their salt intake, in many homes we can bypass your drinking water so there is no sodium added to it. We also offer reverse osmosis treatment systems, which remove just about everything – including sodium. As another option for avoiding salt.

Do Softeners Make Water Safe for Drinking?

While the softening process improves water quality, it doesn’t ensure that the supply is safe to drink. Softeners only remove minerals, not contaminants.

For safe, clean drinking water, homeowners can install a reverse osmosis system along with a softener. The filtration will eliminate the sodium added by the softener and all of the other pollutants, particulates and contaminants present. Plus, the soft water will boost the lifespan of the reverse osmosis system.

Interested in learning more? Kinetico Utah offers a full range of high-quality treatment systems, the best products available in the state.

Kinetico is an industry leader, involved in the development of innovative filtration and softening methods for 50 years. Countless Utah homeowners enjoy improved water quality with our softeners and reverse osmosis systems.

For a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss water softening and treatment with the expert team at Kinetico Utah, contact us today.

Benefits of Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water

RO system Salt Lake City

Choosing reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water is a smart, healthy decision. By installing an RO system, you can stop buying bottles and enjoy a fresh and clean supply of water straight from the tap.

What, exactly, makes drinking water treated by the RO process the best option? Here, we explain the many advantages of investing in a home purification system.

Reverse Osmosis Systems Remove Impurities

Drinking water that’s contaminated can have negative effects on your health. Install an RO system, and you’ll greatly reduce the impurities in your household supply. The semi-permeable membrane filters out the vast majority of chemical and physical contaminants as well as organic, inorganic and chemical disinfection byproducts.

Reverse Osmosis Water Has a Delicious Taste

With all of those unwanted contaminants removed by a home purification system, the drinking water flowing from your household tap will taste clean and refreshing. Many people consider RO water to be the most delicious available, and your system will provide you with a virtually unlimited supply for your entire family to enjoy.

Reverse Osmosis Water is Great for Cooking

When you cook with untreated water, it affects the taste of your food – which is why the best restaurants now use RO water in their cooking. After installing an RO system, you’ll notice a definite improvement in the flavor of your homemade soup, hot cereal, boiled pasta, rice dishes, steamed vegetables and any other foods that require water. Hot drinks like coffee and tea will also taste much better.

Reverse Osmosis Creates Crystal Clear Ice Cubes

Impurities and contaminants make for white, cloudy ice cubes – and they melt rather fast. When you use RO water to make ice, however, you get cubes that are clear. They look fantastic in drinks, which is perfect for anyone who likes fancy cocktails, and since clear ice melts more slowly than those that are cloudy, they’ll keep your beverages cooler for longer.

Reverse Osmosis Systems Pay for Themselves

You already know how expensive bottled water is, and if you buy it all the time, you can end up spending hundreds every year. Install an RO system, and you’ll be paying just pennies for each gallon of drinking water. The savings are huge, and by freeing you from buying bottles, your purification system will pay for itself in almost no time.

To get the biggest benefits from RO drinking water, you need a high-quality system – and that means turning to Kinetico Utah.

Our state-of-the-art purification systems deliver a constant flow from the tap and outperform others out on the market in many ways. Plus, we offer an industry-leading warranty on our RO systems.

For more information on our purification technology, or to schedule a free consultation to discuss installation of a reverse osmosis drinking water system at your Salt Lake City area home, reach out to Kinetico Utah today.

How Do Kinetico Water Softeners So Little Salt?

How much salt does a water softener use

One key reason many people choose Kinetico water softeners is that they use about 70 percent less salt than competing brands. Investing in one means not having to pay for or lug around nearly as many bags of salt, something everyone appreciates.

But, many of our customers want to know why our softening systems don’t need much salt. If you’re curious, read on to learn about the three features of Kinetico water softeners that cut down on salt usage.

Regeneration Based on Real-Time Water Use

Traditional softening systems have computerized controls that are set to regenerate at specific times. They cannot soften water and regenerate at the same time, so the regeneration has to happen when no one is using water, like in the middle of the night.

The problem is, these types of softeners regenerate as scheduled, whether or not they actually need regeneration – and that results in burning through as much as 25 to 30 percent more salt than really necessary.

Kinetico softeners don’t regenerate on any schedule. The advanced engineering allows for regeneration at any time, without any effect on their softening capacity. As such, no salt is wasted with a Kinetico system.

Innovative Countercurrent Regeneration Process

The regeneration process for a traditional softening system starts at the top of the brine tank and moves downward. This is not an efficient approach – we’d compare it to cleaning a sink full of greasy pots and pans, then using the same dishwater to wash glassware.

How so? The concentration of hard water contaminants is highest at the top of the tank, so the top-down approach basically regenerates contaminated water with contaminated water.

Kinetico softeners feature counter current regeneration, starting at the bottom of the brine tank and working its way upward. This technology cuts unnecessary salt use by roughly 25 percent.

System Regeneration Process Uses Soft Water

Traditional water softeners use hard water in the regeneration process. And as you might expect, this is counterproductive – and wastes a great deal of salt.

Kinetico softening systems don’t operate this way. Instead, they regenerate with soft water, which makes a world of difference. In fact, this state-of-the-art design feature cuts down on salt usage by 20 percent.

Now you know why Kinetico water softeners use much less salt – and if you’d like to learn more about our high-quality, innovative softening systems, reach out to Kinetico Utah today.

A trusted local industry leader for over 30 years, Kinetico Utah has helped countless homeowners enjoy better household water quality. Contact us and schedule a free, no-pressure consultation to discuss the many benefits of Kinetico water softeners today!

Are You Concerned About the Quality of Your Utah Drinking Water?

What’s the safest drinking water in Utah?

If you’re worried about your household drinking water supply, you’re not alone. Independent research commissioned by the Water Quality Association (WQA) shows that many people across the country share your concerns.

A non-profit organization, the WQA tracks consumer opinions on water quality with national studies about once every two years. And according to their most recent data, Americans are growing increasingly less confident in their household supply. Here’s a look at the major findings from the WQA study and how to make sure your drinking water is safe.

Key Concerns Regarding Water Quality

When it comes to the quality of water from the household tap, people have several worries. The many reasons for not drinking it include:

  • Concern about contaminants and pollutants in the supply
  • Concern over whether it’s actually safe to consume
  • Tap drinks don’t taste as good as store-bought bottles
  • Water from the tap looks cloudy or has a strange odor

Compared to the results from the 2017 WQA study, these and other concerns regarding drinking water quality are on the rise. And, both those who get their supply from a municipal source and those with private wells are unsure about its safety.

Dealing with Drinking Water Quality Concerns

Most people have at least some familiarity with contaminants in the water supply, and many can name some of the major substances of concern. Consumers are growing more aware of the potential for quality issues, and most rely on bottled water or install home treatment systems.

However, WQA research reveals that many people have a limited understanding of the various types of treatment systems and how they compare. So, some consumers who invest on one may not get the greatest value or the best possible water quality.

Testing and Treating Your Drinking Water Supply

If you’re not confident in the quality of your household supply, getting it professionally tested is your first step – and the expert team at Kinetico Utah will perform one at no cost.

Homeowners throughout Utah have trusted us for water quality testing and high-quality treatment systems for over 30 years. We’ll take a sample, complete a thorough analysis and explain your options for getting better drinking water straight from the tap.

At Kinetico Utah, we offer a range of highly effective filtration, purification and softening systems. And, we back our products with a warranty that’s one of the best in the industry. Turn to us, and we’ll find a treatment solution that makes your household supply safe to drink and meets your budget.

For more information on Kinetico Utah or the treatment systems we install – or to arrange for a free, no-obligation household drinking water quality test – reach out to our office in Draper, Utah, today.