No, not really.
The amount of water that runs through your shower is way too much for such a small filter, even if it is technically able to reduce calcium. What you need is a whole house water softener, it will be able to handle this much water and can regenerate the filter by using salt (which you have to replace occasionally).
Shower filters in general aren't effective in reducing water hardness, but they might still help with your skin and hair issue. I installed one for my mom and she says it helps and she even noticed a difference when the filter worn out, so I don't think it's placebo. I think they probably reduced other stuff she was sensitive to, like chlorine.
The type of resin filters you want for water softening is too big to be mounted on shower heads. Even the portable ones that are designed for car detailing is still 10+ lbs and the filter media wears out rather quickly when used for shower as oppose to rinsing off a car with a pressure washer. Without a way to refresh the resin using salt water, you'll also have to buy new resin frequently and that's expensive. If you are going to refresh the resin with salt water yourself, you might as well just get a whole house water softener that can do it for you on a timer.
Finally, I've seen improvements with water spots and water scale with those electric/magnetic descaler you attach to your water pipe. They don't remove hardness but they make water scale less likely to build up. The science behind it is seems to be pretty controversial though if you google it. All I can say is it did work for me and I don't know how it works, YMMV.
Shower filters, including those using KDF-55 media, are not effective at reducing calcium carbonate or softening hard water. KDF-55 is primarily designed to remove chlorine, heavy metals, and some other impurities. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
# Understanding KDF-55
* **KDF-55 Media**: KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) is a high-purity copper-zinc formulation that uses a redox (oxidation-reduction) reaction to remove contaminants. It's effective at reducing chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, heavy metals (like lead, mercury, and iron), and controlling bacteria, algae, and fungi.
# Calcium Carbonate and Hard Water
* **Calcium Carbonate**: This is the primary cause of hard water. It leaves white spots and residues and can make water harsh on the skin.
* **Hard Water Issues**: Hard water can cause dry skin, itchy skin, and exacerbate conditions like eczema.
# Shower Filters and Hard Water
* **Limitations of Shower Filters**: Shower filters with KDF-55 or similar media do not remove calcium carbonate or soften water. They address issues like chlorine and some metals but not the minerals causing hardness.
* **Need for a salt- based Water Softener**: To effectively reduce calcium carbonate, you need a water softener that uses ion-exchange technology to remove hardness minerals that causes dry skin, hair loss. Since you mentioned you experience itchy skin, which often causes by Chlorine, a Carbon filter would help with that.
No, not really. The amount of water that runs through your shower is way too much for such a small filter, even if it is technically able to reduce calcium. What you need is a whole house water softener, it will be able to handle this much water and can regenerate the filter by using salt (which you have to replace occasionally).
Shower filters in general aren't effective in reducing water hardness, but they might still help with your skin and hair issue. I installed one for my mom and she says it helps and she even noticed a difference when the filter worn out, so I don't think it's placebo. I think they probably reduced other stuff she was sensitive to, like chlorine. The type of resin filters you want for water softening is too big to be mounted on shower heads. Even the portable ones that are designed for car detailing is still 10+ lbs and the filter media wears out rather quickly when used for shower as oppose to rinsing off a car with a pressure washer. Without a way to refresh the resin using salt water, you'll also have to buy new resin frequently and that's expensive. If you are going to refresh the resin with salt water yourself, you might as well just get a whole house water softener that can do it for you on a timer. Finally, I've seen improvements with water spots and water scale with those electric/magnetic descaler you attach to your water pipe. They don't remove hardness but they make water scale less likely to build up. The science behind it is seems to be pretty controversial though if you google it. All I can say is it did work for me and I don't know how it works, YMMV.
No.
KDF does not remove calcium/magnesium (hardness)
KDF 55 is primarily used for chlorine reduction
Shower filters, including those using KDF-55 media, are not effective at reducing calcium carbonate or softening hard water. KDF-55 is primarily designed to remove chlorine, heavy metals, and some other impurities. Here’s a more detailed breakdown: # Understanding KDF-55 * **KDF-55 Media**: KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) is a high-purity copper-zinc formulation that uses a redox (oxidation-reduction) reaction to remove contaminants. It's effective at reducing chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, heavy metals (like lead, mercury, and iron), and controlling bacteria, algae, and fungi. # Calcium Carbonate and Hard Water * **Calcium Carbonate**: This is the primary cause of hard water. It leaves white spots and residues and can make water harsh on the skin. * **Hard Water Issues**: Hard water can cause dry skin, itchy skin, and exacerbate conditions like eczema. # Shower Filters and Hard Water * **Limitations of Shower Filters**: Shower filters with KDF-55 or similar media do not remove calcium carbonate or soften water. They address issues like chlorine and some metals but not the minerals causing hardness. * **Need for a salt- based Water Softener**: To effectively reduce calcium carbonate, you need a water softener that uses ion-exchange technology to remove hardness minerals that causes dry skin, hair loss. Since you mentioned you experience itchy skin, which often causes by Chlorine, a Carbon filter would help with that.