I'm dealing with some serious mineral buildup and water spots from hard city water, and I need advice on whether a salt-based softener or a salt-free option would be better. I've already got a couple of quotes—one suggested a fancy 3-stage filter that seemed gimmicky, while another recommended a traditional system with salt. Recently, I was also told that given I'm on city water, a non-salt system may be a viable option, although it's pricier. So, is city hard water different from well water, and which option is actually more effective?
3 Answers
From what I've seen, carbon filters don't actually soften water—they just remove some impurities. If you're looking to truly soften, an ion exchange (salt-based) system is your best bet. I’ve got a simple sediment filter and a salt softener at my place, and it’s been working great for years without much hassle.
It really comes down to how hard your water is. If your water is only slightly hard, a carbon filter or non-salt system might work. But for harder water, you’ll want a traditional salt softener since those are typically more effective. Keep in mind that while salt systems may be cheaper upfront, you'll incur the ongoing cost of salt. There are also reverse osmosis systems, but those are usually meant for drinking water rather than whole-house solutions.
City water can have a lot of minerals and hardness can vary. I usually soften at least the hot water, since cold water can taste off if softened. You can definitely go the salt route, it’s convenient and doesn’t have to be super expensive. Have you done a water test yet? You should if you haven't; it helps determine exactly what you're dealing with and what solution might work best.