No, water conditioners do not lower water hardness.
According to the provided reference, a water conditioner functions differently than a water softener. Instead of removing hardness particles, it changes their chemical structure to prevent buildup. Here's a breakdown:
- Water Conditioners:
- Do not remove hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium.
- Alter the chemistry of these minerals.
- Prevent them from forming scale deposits.
- Offer a temporary fix and require continued use.
- The term 'water conditioner' covers a wide variety of products and technologies.
- Water Softeners:
- Remove the actual hardness minerals through an ion exchange process.
- Provide a more permanent solution to water hardness.
Essentially, a water conditioner manages the effects of water hardness, whereas a water softener aims to remove the source of the hardness.
| Feature | Water Conditioner | Water Softener |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness Removal | No. It only changes the chemistry of minerals. | Yes, removes minerals. |
| Mechanism | Modifies chemical structure of hardness minerals. | Uses ion exchange to remove minerals. |
| Solution Type | Temporary. Requires continued use. | Long-term solution. |
Therefore, if your goal is to lower the level of hardness in your water, a water softener is the appropriate solution and a water conditioner is not.
