FAQ
Isn't City water clean enough and treated already?
Most municipal water systems use chlorine to treat water, and some introduce sewage treated water into the water supply to recycle it. While they usually do an excellent job treating your water, many people do not like the taste, feel, and smell of municipal water. iLove filters out the unpleasant tastes and smells to provide clean filtered water, from EVERY faucet in your home, even your showers, and with the addition of a reverse osmosis system, you can drink better than bottled water quality water right from your faucet.
What is the difference between a water softener and a salt-free softener?
Only salt or potassium can soften water, which is the removal of minerals from the water using special resin beads which are cleaned with the salt or potassium between uses. Salt-less softeners should really be called conditioners. They can be a great option for some people. They do not remove anything from the water, but they ensure that the hard minerals do not clog pipes and appliances. For a landlord worried about the pipes and appliances in a rental, a salt-free conditioner can be a great option. They are also great for people concerned about the cost of water, as they use less water since they do not clean or remove anything from the water. For people who want the cleanest water that removes hard minerals from the water which affects taste, cleaning, skin, hair, and clothing, water softeners are the recommended option.
How does a water softener work?
Water softeners contain a special resin. This resin is coated with salt or potassium using water to rinse over the beads. Once coated, the beads will attract the minerals in the water and anything chemicals attached to those minerals. They stick to the beads in a process called ion exchange. Once the beads are at capacity, a computerized head on the device will again rinse the beads with salt or potassium, flushing down the drain all of the things removed from the water. The frequency of this rinsing cycle (called “recharging” the softener) depends upon the water used, and is scheduled to take place typically in the middle of the night when the system will be offline for a short period of time while the system recharges.
How does a Salt-less system work?
As discussed above, salt-less systems are not softeners. They do not remove hard minerals from your water. Instead, they contain a material which starts the process of crystallizing minerals in the water. These small crystals cannot attach to the insides of the pipes and attract other minerals in the water to form larger crystals. These crystals flow through your pipes without attaching. You are still drinking them unless further treating your drinking water, and the crystals will be present in shower water, in your washing machine, and elsewhere. So the impact of minerals and anything attached to them will still be seen throughout the home. For landlords who are focused on maintaining the systems in their rentals, this can be a maintenance-free option to reduce the potential for clogs in the pipes and appliances. For homeowners who will drink, cook, clean and bathe in the water, they may choose to select a water softener instead for higher quality water in their home.
Can a system be taken by a homeowner to a new property?
Yes. When the system is first installed, the owner should request the plumber to install a bypass loop, then the water softener system can be installed and uninstalled while the plumbing of the home can continue to operate. The system can then be reinstalled at the new home by their plumber.
What is a whole home filter?
We recommend that customers who install a water softener or a salt-less conditioner should also install a whole home filter. The whole home filter, also called a GAC filter (Granular activated Carbon) will improve the taste and smell of the water. Inside is a large quantity of carbon from Coconut shells. This carbon will remove and trap objectionable chemicals and odors from the water including Chlorine and numerous organic chemicals. This filter is installed on the water main input, so that all the water in the home is filtered and these chemicals are not absorbed through your skin, as you drink or cook, and that your clothing is also protected, making it last longer.
What is Toilet to Tap?
In many parts of the USA, municipal water systems are implementing various versions of Toilet to Tap projects, including some where sewage water is directly treated and included back into the drinking water supply. This effort to recycle an important resource is commendable, but it causes many consumers concern, as they have read about failures of municipal water systems in Flint Michigan and elsewhere, and also as they learn about PFAs and other cancer causing chemicals which some water systems are not able to filter for and remove. Systems installed in the home allow the homeowner or landlord the ability to have an added layer of protection, and ensure that the water they are using and consuming is always of the highest quality.
I see affordable options on Amazon. Can't I just buy one of those systems?
When considering what equipment to choose, one of the most important considerations is where it is made. Keep in mind that the water passing through these systems will be ingested by your customers. They will cook with it, drink it and shower with it. China is one of the largest manufacturers of everything these days, but their quality control practices leave alot to be desired, from the materials used, to the manufacturing and safety processes used. Our products are made in the USA, exceeding all US safety standards.