If you have concerns about your home’s water quality, it’s important to understand the types of water treatment options that are available to you. Let’s take a look at the two main categories: Point of Entry (POE) and Point of Use (POU).
What’s the difference between POE and POU water treatment systems?
These two types of water treatment systems are relatively easy to understand if you simply pay attention to their names. As the name implies, Point of Entry systems treat water at the point where it enters your home. In contrast, Point of Use systems treat water at the point where you’re actually going to use it, such as the faucet.
The most common Point of Entry water treatment systems include:
- Water softeners
- Whole house conditioners
- Acid neutralizers
- Water filtration units
According to the USGS, the average person uses 80-100 gallons of water per day. That’s why these POE systems are designed to treat thousands of gallons of water daily. Since they’re typically larger than POU systems, Point of Entry units usually require less frequent maintenance and filter changes.
The most common Point of Use water treatment option is a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system for drinking water. This is typically installed under the kitchen sink so you can have safe, great tasting water right from the tap.
Which is better – Point of Entry or Point of Use?
The answer to this question is simple – both of these water treatment systems are equally important. The best one is simply the one that meets your needs and solves the water problem that you have.
For example, say you’re concerned about the taste of your drinking water or you’re worried about drinking water contaminants. In this case, a Point of Use unit like an RO system can ease your mind and provide safe, great tasting drinking water. On the other hand, if you have hard water, you may be concerned about water spots, mineral buildup, or clogged plumbing. For this example, a Point of Entry system like a water softener would make the most sense.
Which water treatment system is best for YOU?
Many homeowners rely on a combination of systems in order to get the highest quality water. For example, it’s not uncommon to see homes with a Reverse Osmosis drinking water system in the kitchen as well as a whole house water softener in the basement.
To find out which water treatment system would best meet your needs, it’s important to get your water tested first. After all, if you don’t know the current condition of your water, it won’t be obvious what needs to be fixed.
To get started, contact us today. Our expert technicians will test your water and then make recommendations based on the results. We offer a variety of affordable home water treatment options and look forward to helping you get the water quality you need and deserve!