Water softeners make your water safe to drink, but they can remove hardness from the water. The carbon filter may be necessary for removing calcium and magnesium ions that could harm you or the plumbing in your home.
This seems like an easy question, but there are many variables involved with this topic so it is important to research if you need a carbon filter before installing one on your system.
Carbon filters are a type of filter media that removes certain contaminants from water. They come in many different types, with the most popular being coconut shell carbon. The use of carbon filters is growing as people become more environmentally conscious and want to ensure their water is safe for consumption.
As the world’s population grows, there are more and more contaminants in our water supply. The two most common types of contaminants are bacteria and iron. A carbon filter is a device that attaches to your tap or faucet which has the ability to remove these harmful pollutants from your drinking water before it enters your home plumbing system.
Selecting filters can seem overwhelming at first, don’t worry though, this article will help you decide whether or not you need a carbon filter with your water softener and also help you decide the best water softener and carbon filter combo for your household.
Do I Need a Carbon Filter with my Water Softener?
Is carbon filter necessary for water softener? A carbon filter is an optional piece of equipment for a water softener. It is installed before the water softener and prevents any sediment from clogging up the unit. Carbon filters set in front of water softeners or no-salt water conditioners, on the other hand, create an excellent match. Carbon filters are self-cleaning and eliminate chlorine, tastes, smells, and sediment.
The carbon filter is placed before the water softener. This increases the life of the softener by eliminating chlorine before it enters the softener and provides superb clean water throughout the home.
The addition of a carbon filter can have real benefits because it removes other things that may be in your water, such as lead, cadmium, organic particles, and other things, but aside from those conditions or concerns, you probably won’t benefit from the filter because the water softener deals with the mineral issues in a different way.
The biggest downside of further filtration is simply expense and upkeep, so if you have any doubts about the quality of your drinking water, installing a filter shouldn’t hurt. It will most likely be most effective if positioned in front of your softener system.
A carbon filter with a water softener can ensure that calcium and magnesium ions are removed from your water supply. Make sure you have one installed if it is important for your health or the health of household members who drink filtered tap water.
Lastly, carbon filters are designed to remove contaminants from your water by separating them into an acidic compound and neutralizing it before returning them back into your home’s plumbing system. They also have the added benefit of protecting against lead poisoning, which can cause anemia in children and liver damage if left untreated for too long.
Why you need a water softener and carbon filter combo
Many people are under the misconception that their water is perfectly safe and clean simply because they are using a water softener to filter their water. However, many other pollutants (such as iron, manganese, copper) can be removed by carbon filters used in conjunction with a water softener system.
A water softener does not give you cleaner water, but rather it changes the hardness of your tap to make it softer. The most common contaminant that a carbon filter is able to remove is chlorine and chloramines in drinking water.
If you have a water softener and you want to ensure that your family is getting the cleanest, safest drinking water possible then it’s important that you add carbon filters with both systems. The carbon filter removes heavy metals like lead and arsenic from the treated tap water which can be highly problematic if not removed before consumption.
How does a carbon filter work?
The process of removing contaminants by adsorption is known as carbon filtration. The benefits of using a carbon filter are that they remove chlorine, lead, mercury, and other heavy metals from water. This helps to reduce the total cost of hard water treatment.
A carbon filter is a type of water treatment device that attracts particles, specifically iron and manganese. The adsorption process adheres the particles to a surface like Velcro by means of an electrostatic charge or chemical reaction in order to remove them from your tap water.
The carbon filters are one way for you to make sure your tap water is safe enough for drinking because they can be installed upstream where they will effectively trap all particulates before reaching the faucet.
A carbon filter is inserted into the water softener, which bonds to organic compounds that are polar substances. This reduces the odor and taste of hard water in your home’s drinking tap. The more often you clean the filter, the more effective it becomes at filtering out these contaminants from your water supply.
A carbon filter is an important part of your water softener. It helps to reduce some chemicals and debris that could potentially be harmful to you or your family, like chlorine byproducts which can cause cancer, among other health issues.
Top 5 Best Water Softener with Carbon Filter
1. Aquasana
Aquasana is a company that offers high-quality whole house water filter and conditioner combo units. The Aquasana Whole House Filter & Conditioner Unit (Amazon link), provides clean, healthy, fresh drinking water in your home without the need for carbon filters or chemicals. This unit is perfect for most homes because it fits on top of standard faucets and costs less than $200.
The aqua-pure technology uses an advanced filtration process to remove impurities like chlorine, metals, sediment, and other contaminants for a superior whole house water filtration system.
Aquasana is an excellent company that provides quality water filtration systems. They are a trusted source for both residential and commercial needs. One of the products they offer is the Aquasana ZeroWater Deluxe – Carbon Filter with KDF Filtration Technology, which removes up to 97% chlorine from your tap water.
A carbon filter will remove sediment from your filtered water, as well as reduce bad taste and odors caused by algae or bacteria in your drinking water.
Aquasana’s water filtration system utilizes UV light and an activated charcoal filter to inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as algae and bacteria. Their salt-free conditioning system reduces scale without the harshness of salt, making it safe for your health.
Aquasana offers a 10-year filter and softener combo that removes up to 97% of chlorine. The UV light kills bacteria, which helps the unit last for years without requiring replacement filters or treatments. Aquasana is also great because it provides an all-in-one solution with its filtration system, so you don’t need to buy other products like water pitchers or faucets. This system is perfect for any home or business looking to make sure they are drinking safe, healthy water.
2. Aquasure
The Aquasure whole house water filter and softener combo include a salt-based conditioner. This helps to keep the water that is pre-filtered by the system clean, which then prevents any potential clogging of your pipes or damage to appliances.
Aquasure is a product that uses copper-zinc granules to remove heavy metals, odors, and VOCs from water. This filter will ensure your home’s well-being by making the tap water safe for consumption and eliminating any need for further treatment.
If you are looking to reduce chlorine, herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals from your water supply with the Aquasure filter system. This premium carbon filter will provide the highest quality of drinking water for all types of homes or businesses because it is customizable with a digital head that allows you to adjust how much pressure is needed during the filtering process. It also features backlighted LED display so users can easily identify which setting they’re on without having to worry about accidentally changing them when in use.
Aquasure offers a variety of filtration options that will help to improve the quality of your water. Its sediment pre-filter is included in its system, and it also has carbon and KDF filters for an improved drinking experience.
It removes things like chlorine, pesticides, and sediment in order to make the water safe for various appliances such as refrigerators or washing machines.
The downside of Aquasure is its large size and short power cable. The disadvantages are outweighed by how easy it is to install with no plumbing required on most houses because it has an external hose that leads into your home’s mainline through a small hole under the sink.
The system is also durable because it’s made of high-quality materials and has a warranty that lasts for 5 years.
3. ABCwaters built Fleck 5600sxt Water Softener and Upflow Carbon Filtration
The Fleck ABCwaters built Fleck 5600sxt is a package deal that includes both the water softener and carbon filter. This way, you can make sure your drinking water is of top quality with minimal effort.
The Fleck 5600sxt water softener is a whole-house unit that can be controlled by the popular fleck 5600sxt Digital valve meter. The system provides an important solution for high salt content, iron, and sediment problems in your home’s plumbing.
ABCwaters has a product that offers carbon filtration. Greener water is achieved by the system because it filters out chemicals and contaminants from drinking water.
ABCwaters built the Fleck 5600sxt Water Softener and Upflow Carbon Filtration. The product is designed to remove a wide range of contaminants, including chlorine and chloramines, pesticides, herbicides organics mtbe THM.
Fleck 5600sxt Water Softener and Upflow Carbon Filtration is ABCwaters’ latest offering. The carbon media, can remove contaminants from water through absorption.
ABCwaters is a company that offers high-quality water filtration systems. It builds its products with the customer in mind, offering an affordable price for every need.
4. Filtersmart- (Carbon Filter and Softener Combo)
Filtersmart is a new company in the water filtration industry, and this whole-house filter and softener combo are one of their best. We like how it has a single filter for quick in and out. As a result, this system is simple to install, and maintenance is limited to changing the pre-filter every eight to ten months.
This system uses a combination of TAC and carbon filtration to eliminate both innocuous minerals and other impurities in your water. You are assured of a flow rate of at least 12 GPM and have the option to increase to 15. This product’s durability is certain since it comes with a lifetime warranty.
This system is NSF certified to remove chlorine for five years or one million gallons, and there have been several excellent reports regarding the water quality it produces. With the combined action of the conditioner and filter, this model is well worth the money.
It has a 1,000,000 gallon capacity and filters using superior Jacobi coconut shell-activated carbon. Chlorine, chloramine, volatile organic chemicals, synthetic organic compounds, THMs, pesticides, herbicides, and industrial solvents are all removed by this carbon filtering system.
This implies that this model is a great whole-house filter for toxins as well as a water softener for hard water concerns. The technique is extremely simple to set up, requires no energy, backwashing, or waste of water.
Because it does not utilize mineralization or chemicals, this softener generates clean, clear, sodium-free water for your family while also offering whole-house filtration.
Users just need to replace filters every eight to ten months. This device produces no waste of either power or water. However, this system is best suited for a home with one to three bathrooms.
This device is perfect for people who do not wish to use a salt-based water softener. It is also appropriate for people who live in houses with one to three bathrooms. This is a good option to consider if you’re seeking a top filter and softer combo water softener.
5. Crystal Quest SMART Whole House Water Filter + Softener
The Crystal Quest SMART Whole House Water Filter removes heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceutical by-products, and chlorine/chloramine from water through six stages of filtration.
This filter may be used in conjunction with the Crystal Quest Softener or the Saltless Conditioner.
A sediment pre-filter, a solid carbon filter, and a SMART multi-media filter are all included in the Crystal Quest filtration system (featuring a standard and catalytic carbon filter and an ion exchange resin). Ceramic and Tourmaline balls are also utilized to improve the pH and alkalinity of the water.
Ion exchange is used in Crystal Quest’s conventional water softener to remove magnesium and calcium ions. The salt-free method converts hardness minerals into calcite crystals, which do not adhere to surfaces and produce scale.
The Crystal Quest filtration system is available in two sizes: 1.5 + cubic feet (for households with up to three bathrooms) and 2.0 + cubic feet (for homes with 2-4 bathrooms). Both the softener and the saltless conditioner are available in sizes ranging from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 gallons.
Is there a difference between a carbon filter and an activated carbon filter?
What is the difference between a carbon filter and an activated carbon filter? Carbon filters absorb harmful chemicals such as chlorine, lead, asbestos, or benzene. Activated carbon on the other hand can be used to remove impurities from water by heating it up and then releasing its chemicals back into the air.
Carbon filters are often used in water filtration systems to remove contaminants or block out other unwanted substances. Activated carbon is a type of filter that has been activated by the process of heating it up and adding hydrogen, oxygen, or nitrogen gas. This activates all pores on its surface area so it can hold more contaminants than regular carbon filters.
There is a difference between a carbon filter and an activated carbon filter in the water filtration process. A Carbon Block Filter has fewer restrictions, but it also creates channels where particles can go through easier.
It’s not advisable to use this type of filtering system because if little sediment goes into the channel area, then there will be more than enough space for bacteria and viruses to grow inside them.
A typical example would be when you’re using your refrigerator or dishwasher without cleaning out the filters. You can prevent this by using a carbon filter in your water softener.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Combining your Water Softener with a carbon or KDF filter is not required, but it will help remove up to 97 percent of chlorine as well as VOCs, pesticides, herbicides, and heavy metals. Aquasana is my overall top selection for the finest whole-house water softener and carbon filter combo.
If you’re only interested in improving the flavor and quality of your drinking water, you might be better off investing in a domestic reverse osmosis system, which can remove up to 99.9 percent of TDS. A carbon filter (such as activated carbon or coconut shell carbon), a RO membrane, a pre-filter, and a post-filter are all part of this system. However, reverse osmosis filters are not recommended for hard water since the minerals might harm the semi-permeable membrane.
Mike Spencer
Hi Guys, Mike is a Mechanical Engineer who specializes in Heating, Ventilation, and Air-conditioning. His love for humanity and his profession propels him to share useful and factual Information on this blog.