Comparing Iron Filters and Water Softeners

Written by Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips

SoftPro Water Systems Overview

The Phillips Family Story

In the bustling world of water solutions, Quality Water Treatment (QWT) has carved out its niche thanks to Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips, who kicked things off in 1990. You won't find scare tactics or overpriced merchandise here.

Instead, it's all about honest services crafted by a family for families:

• Craig Phillips - Founder & CEO: Craig’s a trailblazer in the water biz, with SoftPro Water Systems paving the way for cleaner, better water and some peace of mind.
• Jeremy Phillips - Sales Manager: Navigating the sales front, Jeremy’s all about making sure folks get what’s right for them, based on a careful check-up of what their water’s telling us.
• Heather Phillips - Operations Manager: Behind the daily hustle, from shipping to chatting with customers, Heather’s the friendly, get-things-done anchor of the company.

Key Features of SoftPro Systems

SoftPro Water Systems were born from the need to give folks honest, gadget-packed water systems without the big-ticket price. Check out some of the stars in our roster:

SoftPro Water Softeners

Model	What it Brings	Where it Shines	Perfect For
SoftPro ECO	Budget-friendly, solid performer	City and well water	Those watching their wallets
SoftPro Elite	Super-efficient, uses less salt/water	City and well water	Anyone after a trusty, long-lasting system
SoftPro Smart Home+	Syncs with DROP tech for remote checks	City and well water	Gadget lovers

• SoftPro ECO Water Softener: Built for bargain hunters, it punches above its weight, offering great value to first-timers.
• SoftPro Elite Water Softener: Known for stretching your salt and water further, this one’s about getting the most out of your system.
• SoftPro Smart Home+ Water Softener: If you’re into tech, this is your jam—track and tweak your system from wherever with DROP smarts.

SoftPro Filtration Systems

Model	Cool Stuff	Where it Works	Best For
SoftPro AIO Iron Master	Air Injection magic	Well water	Kicking out iron, sulfur, and manganese
SoftPro Whole House Fluoride & Carbon Filter	Cuts fluoride, chlorine, and nasties	City water	Worried about chemical baddies
SoftPro Whole House Catalytic Carbon Filter	Top-notch catalytic carbon for deep clean	City or well water	Trimming down chlorine, chloramine, VOCs

• SoftPro AIO Iron Master Whole House Iron Filter: Fights off iron, sulfur, and manganese using Air Injection to keep well water nice and clean.
• SoftPro Whole House Fluoride & Carbon Filter: Warding off fluoride and typical city water chemical culprits, this one gets down to business.
• SoftPro Whole House Catalytic Carbon Filter: With catalytic carbon on board, it’s ready to tackle chlorine, chloramine, and other VOCs like a boss.
  
  

With these clever water hacks, the Phillips are still all about keeping it real—giving everyone gear that just works. For the full scoop on SoftPro Water Systems and their role in QWT's vision, hop over to QWT.

Water Softeners vs Iron Filters

Picking between a water softener and an iron filter might feel like choosing between pizza and tacos—both good, but serving different cravings.

If you're dealing with tough water or iron-laden water, this choice is as tricky as stepping on Lego barefoot. Each system has its perks, so let's sort this out together.

Understanding Water Softeners

Water softeners are like the unsung heroes tackling the hard water villains causing chaos in your pipes. They kick calcium and magnesium to the curb, keeping scale from gummin' up works like water heaters or leaving your dishes looking like a kindergarten art project.

The magic? Trading those troublemakers for sodium or potassium, thanks to some ion exchange wizardry.

What Makes Them Shine:

• Varieties: Salt-based, dual-tank, salt-free, and the oddball, magnetic systems.
• Price Tag: You're looking at $600 to $1,500 with a constant salt bill.
• It's a Marathon: Over 20 years of service, these guys have your back for the long haul.
• Setting Up: Mostly a breeze to install.
  
  

Upside Dish:

• Evicts hardness minerals, fighting off scale.
• Gives your appliances a longer lease on life.
• Makes water heaters feel like champions.
• Cuts down on scrubbing mineral deposits off everything.

Exploring Iron Filters

Meet iron filters, the knights in shining armor for those of us with well water woes. These filters bully the iron causing that not-so-cute rust ring and the funky metal taste in your water, plus tackle iron bacteria slime parties.

They pull off their antics by turning dissolved iron into solids, not unlike catching fireflies in a jar.

What They Bring to the Table:

• Lineup: Air injection, multi-stage, and green sand are your options here.
• Wallet Factor: Price varies based on what bells and whistles you've got.
• Tech Know-How: Air Injection Oxidation (AIO) is the cool kid in this crowd.
• Set-Up Scene: You'll need a pro to nail this one down right.
  
  

Perks Galore:

• Boots out iron and its smelly friends, sulfur and manganese.
• Leaves water tasting like water, not irony tea.
• Stops rust ring art from hitting your sink.
• Waves bye-bye to bacteria gunk.
  
  

Comparison Table:

Feature	Water Softeners	Iron Filters
Primary Purpose	Get rid of hardness annoyances	Evict iron, sulfur, manganese
Expense	$600 - $1,500 alongside salt duty	Scales with tech and wants
Longevity	Over 20 years of peace	Needs TLC, varies with use
Setup	Easy street	Call in the pros
Maintenance	Salt check, regularly	Clean up and upkeep at intervals
Rewards	Stops scale, saves appliances	Iliminates stains, tastes better, less bacteria jam

Tackling different headaches, these systems ask you to reflect on your needs.

Hard water? Water softener's your go-to. Iron troubles? An iron filter, like the SoftPro AIO Iron Master, could be your match made in plumbing paradise. Weigh your water's quirks and make the call.