A Detailed Guide For Buying The Best Whole House Water Filter And Softener Combo

Best whole house water filter and softener combo – Purify and Remove Hardness At The Same Time

According to the EPA, there are at least 90 contaminants in drinking water that are being regulated, including chloride, copper, arsenic, lead, iron, zinc, fluoride, and microbial contaminants, to name a few. While most people are satisfied with softening their hard water, combining it with water filters can help remove the hardness and purify the water in one shot. This combo works better in terms of potable water quality.  

How does a whole house water filter softener combo work?

A whole-house water filter and softener combo work together in one system. It uses a single tank that has both softening and filtration media. In these systems, water flows through the tank, where it is filtered and softened simultaneously. They may also have a sediment pre-filter installed before the water filter and softener combo system.

Generally, a whole-house water filter uses one or more filter stages to remove certain water contaminants. For example, some pre-filters trap sediments based on size exclusion. Some of the large tanks contain carbon filter media for the adsorption of bad odor and taste, chlorine and chloramine, and all kinds of chemicals and organics contaminants. Some specialized filter (media) types may remove heavy metals like lead, iron, or hydrogen sulfide. 

On the other hand, traditional water softeners use ion exchange to remove hard minerals from the water. This process takes place in a large tank filled with softening resin beads, a media bed consisting of thousands of tiny microbeads. The beads contain sodium ions. As hard water comes into contact with the resin bed, calcium and other hardness minerals are drawn out of the water. They attach to the resin beads, which act like magnets, and are substituted with sodium ions. The water is softened and distributed before it reaches the bottom of the resin tank. 

When the resin beads cannot bind any more hard water ions, then, the water softener needs to regenerate. A regeneration cycle includes backwashing the resin tank to expand the softening resin and remove any potential dirt. It is followed by a brining stage where the concentrated salt brine is drawn from the brine and enters the resin tank, washing over the resin beads releasing all accumulated hard water ions, and replacing them with a fresh sodium layer. 

Benefits Of Owning Whole House Water Filter And Softener Combo

The benefits are numerous. A whole house water filtration system means having clean, great-tasting water at every outlet in your home. All water-using home appliances will benefit from an increased lifespan.

The system is a way by which you can protect home appliances from damage due to hard water scaling and other deposits. The plumbing system also will require fewer repairs and can last up to 30 percent longer.

Reduction of scaling also results in water heaters working more efficiently using less energy. Additionally, it will reduce spotting on tiles and bathroom fixtures. It will also keep the clothes brighter. The benefits of using salt-based water conditioners are:

• Little or no scaling
• Removal of existing scale deposits over time
• Some systems are virtually maintenance-free

In the case of salt-free water conditioners, you also get other benefits:

• You won’t need to keep buying new softening salt
• Highly suitable for those that are on a salt-restricted diet 
• Better for the environment
• No regeneration means no wastewater and no downtime.

Which is the best water filter softener combo in 2023?

SoftPro Elite Water Softener for City Water (Best Seller & Lifetime Warranty) (Top Pick)

A city water softener like the SoftPro Elite uses Next Gen Upflow technology that treats water that is hard, has iron, hydrogen sulfide, manganese, or all three at the same time. It is capable of treating up to 110,000 grains of hard water. One of the main highlights is the High-Flow Programmable Control Valve. It is possible to customize the product by adding add-ons such as chlorine filters, RO systems, alkalizer filters, etc. 

Why you should trust us?

We are trustworthy as we do our research and testing before handing out our recommendations. We have found that when it comes to the best water filter and softener combo, we are able to shortlist seven from the many brands and models in the market and make an informed choice of the top pick.

Below are the product details along with their pros and cons to help you make an informed choice, too. 

5. Iron Pro 48K combination water softener and filter (Top Pick)

Important Factors to consider before buying a whole house water filter and softener combo

When you are deciding on the best whole-house water filters and softeners for your family, the following factors must be kept in mind: 

1. Water Chemistry   

Before choosing the right whole-house water filter softener combo, you need to test your water to know what the water contains and the elements that need to be removed. 

You could get the water tested by a state-certified lab, especially if you are concerned about the well water. As the owner of a well, the onus is on you to ensure that the well water is safe to drink. 

Laboratories offer different packages for well water or city water, testing for the most common contaminants. You may also ask for some specific tests if you are worried about some contaminants in your area. 

Municipal water supply is tested regularly, and the water quality report is in the public domain. Anyone can access it, and you will find the list of contaminants in the water in your region. This information should help you choose the right media combination for your whole house filter system/softener combo.

You could also want to buy an at-home testing kit to test for lead and chlorine levels in your water. While these DIY tests may not give you the most accurate indication of your water’s chemistry, you will still be able to get an overview of specific contaminants that are causing problems in the water supply.

2. Types of Whole House Filtration System  

Water filter and softener combos are not all the same. But they all come with filters of many kinds. 

a) Sediment Filter

Whole-house sediment filters can be standalone units or included in whole-house water filtration systems. The standalone sediment filter types can be cartridge filters or spin-down filters.

Cartridge sediment filters: First-stage filters in reverse osmosis filters or whole-house water filters or have a pleated cartridge or spun-cartridge design.

Spun-cartridge filters send water through multiple spun, melted polypropylene layers and are cylindrical in shape, offering the most thorough filtration. The outer layers have the highest micron level, and this micron level decreases with each layer towards the center of the filter. The larger sediment is removed on the outside, while the smallest particles are removed when water reaches the inside of the filter.

As their name suggests, pleated filters have a pleated or folded design, and the micron rating is the same across the entire filter. Pleated filters trap large sand and sediment particles and aren’t quite as effective as spun-cartridge filters. 

Spin-down sediment filters: Spin-down sediment filters are used for well water that has large grains of sediment or sand. These filters are installed before the larger well water filter system, such as an oxidation system.

A spin-down filter resembles a large pipette. The water enters the top of the filter and follows a centrifugal motion from top to bottom. The water is circulated through the filter, effectively removing the sediment.

Some spin-down filters also come with a flush valve, and they need to be flushed regularly to remove the sediment. Some provide automatic flushing, making it more convenient. Spin-down filters last longer than sediment cartridge filters because of their flushing capabilities.

b) Carbon Media

Carbon filtration media is available in both filter types, solid carbon block media and granular activated carbon (GAC).

The solid carbon block filters are made from compressed carbon. They have a larger surface area, allowing a longer contact time between the filter and the drinking water. As the water flows through the solid carbon block filter, it navigates a maze of pore sizes, making it easy to remove big contaminants.

Carbon block filters are also better for removing heavy metals like lead, microbiological contaminants, and arsenic, radon, mercury, radon, and asbestos.

Granulated Activated Carbon Filters are made from naturally absorptive media, such as coal or coconut shell. These filters have a large surface area with hundreds of tiny micro-pores to capture the contaminants in a process known as adsorption.

GAC filters are ideal for removing contaminants that affect the water’s smell and taste from city water, such as chlorine. The GAC filters also work well in removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and certain heavy metals, like lead.

c) Oxidation Media

Oxidation media, also known as air injection media, targets common well water contaminants, such as sulfur, iron, and manganese. This process involves injecting a bubble of oxygen into the top of the tank to expose the water to oxygen. Contaminants such as iron get oxidized into their insoluble forms. After they have been oxidized, they can be filtered out of the water.

A resin made from manganese greensand or similar material is usually used to trap contaminants as water flows through the system. When the resin becomes saturated with the trapped contaminants, the system will regenerate by flushing the media and replenishing the oxygen bubble.

Oxidation media is ideal for well water and not as good a choice for city water. 

d) Kinetic Degradation Fluxion (KDF) Media

KDF, or kinetic degradation fluxion, produces a chemical reaction called oxidation-reduction, or redox. The KDF media is a zinc-copper alloy media and can be found in a number of different granule forms, each targeting a specific set of contaminants.

KDF-55 is a common choice as it removes chlorine from municipal water. KDF-85 works effectively with well water, as it filters out hydrogen sulfide and iron. KDF media can be used in whole-house water filters and in point-of-use filters, such as faucet filters and showerhead filters.

e) Combination Media

Some types of KDF media can be used in combination with carbon media. A common filter media combination is KDF-F fine mesh and activated carbon. Together, they offer a more effective performance, removing a broader range of contaminants.

3. Types Of Water Softener Systems 

Water Conditioner Vs Ion Exchange

Ion exchange water softeners and salt-free water conditioners are the two most common conditioners that produce similar results. But, their processes are different.

Ion exchange water softeners

Ion exchange water softeners use salt. The sodium ions in the system’s resin bed are released into hard water in exchange for the magnesium and calcium minerals. 

These salt-based water softeners need to regenerate when the resin bed becomes saturated. Regeneration takes place at around 2 or 3 am when most people don’t use their water.

Water conditioners

On the other hand, water conditioners are salt-free alternatives that don’t need to regenerate, making them less wasteful and more efficient.

These units use template-assisted crystallization (TAC), a scale-prevention process. A hard, crystallized overlay prevents the minerals from sticking to surfaces. Water conditioners don’t actually soften water. But, they prevent limescale. 

4. System Capacity 

The next factor to consider is the system capacity. If the system has a larger capacity, it is likely to last longer before it needs to be replaced or requires regeneration. Capacity and water pressure usually go hand-in-hand as the capacity helps increase water pressure. It may be easier to base it on the number of bathrooms in your home.

5. Flow rate and water pressure 

Flow rate and water pressure are two more factors to consider when purchasing a whole house water filtration system and softener combo.

It’s important that both the water softener and filter process water at a speed that can adequately supply your whole home without any drop in water pressure, regardless of the number of appliances. The pressure should also be right, or higher pressure could damage the pipes and household appliances. You would be better off looking at a whole-house filtration system that has a pressure rating of anywhere between 10 and 15 GPM.

6. Available Space 

Any whole-house water filter and softener combo can take up a lot of room in your home. Some filter/softener combos may have a single tank, but most of them come with two units.

Ideally, you’ll need enough room in a dedicated installation spot for at least two large tanks. These tanks also need enough space around the units for maintenance work, topping up salt, or changing filters. Therefore, measuring the area will come first. 

Being aware of the above factors can help narrow down the type of whole house water filter and softener combo you need.

Whole House Water Filter Salt Free Water Softener Vs. Whole House Water Filter Salt-Based Combo

Whole House Water Filter Salt-Free Water Softener 

A salt-free softener is usually cheaper than a salt-based one and is easy to install. Also, this type of system is low maintenance since it doesn’t need any electricity for the cleaning cycle. There is no water wastage either during the removal of minerals from the resin bed, with significant savings on your utilities. And, for those with a low sodium diet, a salt-free softener is ideal. 

Unfortunately, one of the disadvantages is that a salt-free softener does not work well on contaminants such as chlorine and lead. So, it would be better to use a form of filtration in front of the softener. 

Whole House Water Filter Salt-Based Combo 

Salt-based softeners are designed to remove minerals that cause hardness in the water. As a result, you’ll probably notice a little to no limescale buildup on fixtures and appliances in your home. You’ll also see your clothes appearing brighter and cleaner and your hair and skin no longer feeling dry and itchy. Other long-term benefits include more efficient and longer-lasting appliances as well as fewer repairs and plumbing maintenance. But despite these benefits, most salt-based softeners are costlier than their salt-free counterparts and often require regular maintenance.

Salt-based softeners are effective in softening your water and should be used if your hard water levels are high.  

The Verdict

Our verdict is the SoftPro Elite Water Softener for City Water. It is a combo unit for treating hard water that contains iron or hydrogen sulfide or manganese, or a combination of these three. It is a salt-based water softener with features that make it ideal for city water. Its fine-mesh resin filters iron up to 3 PPM using a fraction of salt and water. It has a high-efficiency upflow technology.

The backlit digital head offers push-button control with an automatic backwash. The super-capacity, wide-mouth brine tanks are easy to load with salt and need refilling less frequently as each is lined with a brine grid to prevent salt from collecting at the bottom.

It has a safety float that keeps the tank from overfilling if the softener malfunctions. The black neoprene jacket helps insulate the tank, leaving no chance for condensation to collect on the floor, and it keeps the unit from freezing. 

SoftPro Elite is straightforward to install, with available technical support. The resin is preloaded. The product has a lifetime warranty and premium customer service.

Conclusion

Improved water quality is essential to good health and it is clear that we need a system that will give us safe drinking water. Therefore, it makes sense to invest in water filtration and softening units in our homes.

Here, we have given you the factors to keep in mind before choosing a whole-house filter softener combo,  information on how the system works, the difference between salt-free and salt-based water softeners, and a shortlist of 7 products you can choose from. This should make it easy for you to make your selection.