What each one does
| Whole-house carbon filter | Salt-based softener | Salt-free conditioner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine and chloramine taste and smell | Reduces | No | No (unless paired with carbon) |
| Hardness minerals (calcium, magnesium) | No | Removes | Changes them; doesn't remove them |
| White crust and scale | No | Stops it | Reduces how much sticks |
| Salt bags to refill | No | Yes | No |
| Needs a drain | No | Yes, to regenerate | Usually no |
How to tell which you need
- You notice a pool-like smell or taste at the tap or in the shower: that's chlorine or chloramine, so start with carbon filtration.
- You see white crust on faucets, spots on glass or scale in the kettle: your water is hard, so add softening.
- You want less scale without salt or a drain line: a salt-free conditioner is the alternative, with the trade-off that minerals stay in the water.
- You want to drink from the tap: a reverse osmosis tap at the kitchen sink goes further than any whole-house system for drinking water.
What we install
Whole Home Filtration, $2,995 installed: carbon plus a sediment pre-filter for every tap and shower.
Filtration + Softening, $4,495 installed: the same carbon stage plus a GE Profile smart softener for hard water.
Total Protection, $7,495 installed: Navien's salt-free WEC600 with a carbon stage, plus a smart leak shut-off on the main line.
Any package can add a drinking-water tap for $695. Prices include a licensed plumber and the permit, and the first year of Care, then $24 a month.
Short answers
Do I need a softener and a filter?
Only if your water is hard and you want chlorine or chloramine out too. A softener alone doesn't remove chlorine or chloramine, and a carbon filter alone doesn't remove hardness.
Is salt-free the same as a softener?
No. A salt-free conditioner changes how hardness minerals behave so less scale sticks, but the minerals stay in the water. A salt-based softener removes them.