The build up of mineral deposits in the nozzles can dramatically reduce the flow of water through a shower unit, and can increase heating bills by several hundred dollars per year as the heating efficiency of the shower unit is significantly reduced.
The smells that can be detected when showering are more detectable because the water has been heated, plus that fact that the water is being sprayed in droplets means that it's easily picked up by the human nose. Chemicals such as chlorine (bleach type smell), sulphur (rotten eggs) are not uncommon things to be noticed when taking a shower with poor quality water.
Hard water deposits on skin have also been linked to conditions such as eczema and acne which are exacerbated as the hard water deposits irritate the skin even further. If all the above was not bad enough hard water minerals can also build up in hair causing it to feel dry, lifeless and dull.
Critical Things to Consider:
The effectiveness of today's shower filters perform extremely well. They are capable of filtering up to 99% of hard water minerals which helps to stop the nozzles from becoming blocked, as well as removing other unwanted chemicals. This not only provides cleaner, purer water while showering but is also a much more pleasant experience, as you will soon discover. A good shower unit will contain a filtering block around the spray nozzle which is capable of filtering or to 10,000 gallons.
Many of the shower filters available today are very easy to install and quite often include tools to complete the job. Many have different spray settings that can provide a massage to wherever it's needed on the body. A top tip is to look for an NSF certified shower filter with a good five year warranty. The typical price of a shower filter is approximately 50 to 200 dollars.
Many people have commented on the fact that there dry skin has been much reduced after installing a shower filter. It's also highly recommended for people who have hard water mineral buildup in hair which causes it to feel dry and lifeless. It may also help them improve the quality of curly hair as the shower filter prevents hard water minerals from forming on hair, making it feels softer and smoother. It will also help with hard water deposit removal when cleaning the bathroom as the minerals are unable to stick to surfaces such as bathtubs and sinks.
A great budget shower filter is the one from Culligan below which comes with a 5-year limited warranty Replacement Filter:
If you want the best shower filter for you and your family, then the one below was voted "Product of the Year" by Cosmetology Today Magazine. This one effectively removes 99% of chlorine, reduces VOCs, heavy metals and other chemicals, and enhances pH - it is considered by some to be Aquasana's best product!
So if you're looking to purchase a shower filter check it's an NSF device, confirm the capacity of the device is sufficient for you, and check to see how long the warranty lasts. Another important thing to consider is how much the replacement of filters will be, as typically these need to be replaced approximately every six months.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me - I'd be happy to help you out. If you have any comments please feel free to add them below.
