Reasons to have Water Filters in Your Home

Water filters provide clean, pure drinking water right from your home’s tap. We sell a variety of water filters in Apple Valley and surrounding areas, and we believe there are many reasons you should consider them for your home.

• Water filters make your drinking water smell, look and taste better. This is not just beneficial for drinking, but also helps with the water you use for baking, cleaning and bathing.
• Water filters remove dangerous toxins and contaminants from your water. This is beneficial for the health of the entire family, but is especially important for anyone in the home who deals with a delicate immune system or gastrointestinal issues.
• For homes with babies or small children, having filtered water will be easier on their developing immune systems. Filtered water can prevent illnesses that may result from impure drinking water.
• You can save money on bottled water since water filters make your home’s drinking water taste like it came from a bottle. You may even notice you spend less on juice or soda. When you have fresh water that tastes good, you and your family will be more inclined to drink it rather than sugary drinks.
• By making your drinking water more appealing, you and your loved ones may even lose weight since you’ll be drinking more water and fewer unhealthy drinks that are loaded with calories. This is also an added benefit for those who have trouble regulating their blood sugar.
• Filtered water also helps your plumbing. By removing contaminants from the water, water filters reduce deterioration of rubber seals in fixtures and appliances.
• Water filters are easy to maintain. A water purification company like Haferman Water Conditioning can recommend the best water filter for your wants and needs. We can even come to your home on a regular basis to ensure the water filters are still working properly.

These are just a few of the many benefits of having water filters in your home. If you are interested in learning more about water filters in Apple Valley or surrounding areas, please call Haferman Water Conditioning at 952-894-4040. You can also contact us online for a Free Water Analysis and Estimate.

Water Filtration Options

Haferman Water Conditioning believes everyone should have access to pure, clean drinking water. Because of this, we specialize in water filtration in Minnetonka and surrounding areas. We will describe some of the more popular water filtration methods and point out the advantages of each. All of these water filtration products and systems are sold and installed by our experienced staff.

Water Softeners

A popular type of water filtration system is a water softener. Water softeners use an ion exchange process that lowers the levels of magnesium, calcium, barium and other contaminants that can build up and damage water-using appliances.

Known for their low maintenance, water softeners should still be inspected on a regular basis to make sure everything is still working properly.

Dechlorinators

Chlorinated water can often leave a bad odor or taste in drinking water. In addition, chlorinated water can lead to dry hair and skin.  To combat this, dechlorinators use activated carbon to absorb this excess chlorine in the water.

These water filtration systems are generally used as an upgrade to water softeners. In addition, using a dechlorinator can help reduce deterioration of rubber seals in water-using appliances or fixtures.

UV Filtration

UV filtration is one of the newest methods for water filtration. These systems use ultraviolet radiation to destroy certain bacteria and other toxins found in water. It’s an alternative method to using heat or chemical additives.

Like water softeners, UV filtration systems do not require a great deal of maintenance; however, it is still a good idea to have them inspected on a regular basis.

Reverse Osmosis

This process works by pushing water through a semi-permeable membrane that blocks particles larger than water molecules from getting through, keeping them out of the water. Reverse osmosis systems remove a variety of toxins such as fluoride, nitrates, arsenic and more. This type of water filtration is best to use for only cooking and drinking water.

These are just a few of the many different water filtration systems available for use today.  To get more information on these or other water filtration systems, contact us at Haferman Water Conditioning. We can discuss the options and determine the best system for your needs.

To receive more information on water filtration in Minnetonka, call Haferman Water Conditioning at 952-894-4040 or contact us to set up your Free Water Analysis and Estimate.

Signs of Hard Water

Everyone has heard of hard water, but how do you know if it is a problem in your home? As experts in hard water in Edina, we know of several different ways to tell if you have hard water. Here are a few of our best tips.

Keep an eye out for something called “scaling.” Scaling refers to the white spots that appear on dishes and glasses after they have been washed or run through the dishwasher. The spots are mineral deposits. These deposits are found in your groundwater and then end up in your tap water. While the mineral deposits are not dangerous or a health risk, they are annoying and can cause some problems with some appliances in your home. The mineral deposits also cause cloudy ice cubes, and they are the reason your drinking glasses sometimes have a foggy appearance to them.

Hard water can have an effect on water-using appliances. The mineral deposits can cause them to clog up, and they can also decrease the life space and effectiveness of these appliances. This means that, in the long run, you could end up spending more on replacing these appliances because they do not last as long as they should. Your plumbing system can also be affected because the mineral deposits can clog pipes and put additional stress on your home’s water heater.

Another sure sign of hard water is when you or a family member is experiencing problems with dry skin and dry hair. Hard water can cause your hair to become unmanageable, and dry skin can be itchy and irritated. Soap and shampoo are not as effective with hard water, so you will end up using more of these to get the same results.

Hard water can affect your clothing too. After being washed in hard water, clothes can look dull and dingy. In the worst cases, hard water can stain your clothing because of the mineral deposits. Hard water can also cause damage to your clothing’s fibers and that can make your clothing uncomfortable when you wear it.

If you suspect hard water is a problem in your Edina home, call Haferman Water Conditioning at 952-894-4040 or get a Free Water Analysis and Estimate.

Fact vs. Fiction: Myths about Water Softeners

Water softeners remove unwanted minerals from your home’s water. These minerals can cause unwanted side effects, like water that smells bad and stains clothing. As a company that installs water softeners in Farmington, we have heard our share of myths about water softeners, so we thought we would take the time to set the record straight.

Myth #1: Water softeners render your water undrinkable.

This is an incredibly common misconception about water softeners. Yes, they do use salt to treat the water, but the resulting sodium content in the water is a trace amount. In one quart of water treated by a water softener, there is only about 75 to 100 milligrams of sodium in there.

Myth #2: Water softeners cause soap to not rinse off of your skin properly.

If your skin feels more slippery than usual after you’ve bathed in water that’s been treated by a water softener, that’s not the left over soap. That is your body’s natural oils! They are better able to do their job thanks to water softeners.

Myth #3: Why buy water softeners? They are just a waste of money!

Actually, water softeners can reduce your water heating bills! Plus, they help decrease the amount of cleaning products you need to use to clean your bathroom, kitchen and other rooms in your home. Not to mention they can help extend the life of your water-using appliances.

Myth #4: Healthy nutrients are removed from your water if you use a water softener.

Calcium and magnesium are removed from your water when you use water softeners. And these are two very important nutrients for your body! But when they are present in your water, they are actually in the wrong form for your body to digest and use properly.

Are you ready to look into water softeners in Farmington? Call Haferman Water Conditioning at 952-894-4040 or contact us for a Free Water Analysis and Estimate.

Benefits of Bottle-Less Water Coolers in Minnesota

Does your office in Minnesota strictly buy bottled water? If so, it may be time to think about purchasing a bottle-less water cooler. We know you need clean, cool water available at all times so, we suggest that you purchase or lease a bottle-less water cooler for your office.

Impact of Plastic Water Bottles

Plastic water bottles produce unneeded waste and have poor impacts on the environment. According to National Geographic, only about 13% of plastic water bottles are recycled. This means that over 80% of the plastic water bottles that are purchased end up in landfills across Minnesota and the United States. Even those bottles that are recycled take centuries to decompose.

Benefits of Water Coolers

Water coolers can help provide a solution to some of the problems caused by purchasing water bottles. We know that human bodies need water and purified water can be preferred. By using purified water and removing contaminants, you reduce risk of illness. All of these things can be benefits in the workplace. Having hydrated and happy employees can boost morale in the office.

Why Choose a Bottle-less Water Cooler System?

Purchasing a bottle-less water cooler system can have positive environmental impacts. These types of coolers remove the inconvenience of having water delivered. You would no longer need to worry about changing the heavy bottles, finding a place to store extra bottles or running out of water before your next delivery. Also, you would no longer accrue the cost associated with having water bottles delivered. Overall, a bottle-less water system reduces waste and provides a constant source for pure, cool water.

Doing your part to save the environment and provide Minnesota employees with needed drinking water is easy. To purchase or lease a bottle-less water cooler call our office now at (952) 894-4040.

Contaminants found most often in Twin Cities drinking water

“What’s in your drinking water?” This question was asked recently by The Washingtonian in a very well-written article which focused on the quality of water in and around Washington, D.C. The city gets its water from the Potamac River, a surface water source (Minneapolis and St Paul get theirs from another surface source, the Mississippi River). The article noted:

In tests conducted by the USGS between 2003 and 2005, trace amounts of 26 chemical compounds were detected in Potomac River water, including the herbicide 2,4-D, a component of Agent Orange, and insecticides including DEET. Atrazine, a chemical commonly used in weed killers, has been associated with intersex in amphibians and has been found in many rivers, including the Potomac. Studies revealed that male frogs exposed to atrazine produce eggs in their testes, the same phenomenon seen with intersex fish.

The whole article can be read by clicking here.

Haferman Water Conditioning makes sure to know what’s in your drinking water, and how to best remove these foreign objects. There are many different contaminants that can be found in tap water, and here are some of the most common:

Arsenic

The level of arsenic in groundwater widely varies, and is the result of rock formations that contain the contaminant. Very low levels are not harmful, but high levels can damage skin and increase the risk of cancer.

Nitrate

This is a chemical found most often in manure, fertilizers and the liquid waste emptied from septic tanks. Nitrate often affects well water systems that are shallow, not very well constructed or not properly located. If ingested, it can be hazardous, especially for small children and pregnant women.

Microorganisms

Microorganisms include bacteria and viruses that can cause illness, and death in the most severe cases. The microorganisms found in drinking and tap water are the result of animal and human waste products washed into bodies of water. These are usually treated by municipal water systems, so it’s rare to find a case of contamination from these microbes. Water systems are required to test for contaminants that can indicate waste products, including e. coli and coliform, which are not permitted in public drinking water supplies.

Other common contaminants

• Radioactivity (Radon)
• Methane
• Lead
• Chromium
• Calcium
• Aluminum
• Chloride
• Fluoride

Please visit our page on Twin Cities Kinetico Water Filters for more information.

The Ins & Outs of Water Softeners

Noticing an increase in soap scum on your shower doors? It might be hard water, and you might need to have a water softener installed. We recently wrote an article about the ins and outs of water softeners, and noted:

If your home or business is plagued with hard water, one of the best ways to get rid of it is to have a water softener installed. The appliance runs on the convention that calcium and magnesium ions will switch places with ions that result in softer water (i.e. sodium, etc.). The amount of sodium added to your drinking water is minimal and well below FDA standards.

Hard water might not seem like much of a problem, but it can lead to your showers not getting you as clean as possible and can leave your dishes and shower doors looking unkempt. The best solution to the problem may be to call a Minneapolis water softeners specialist and see what can be done to remove the hard water from your home. There will be an initial cost, but you'll save so much more by not having to constantly fight hard water.

Read the entire article: "Water Softeners: The Ins and Outs of Water Softening."