Don't Be Fooled: Halo Whole Home Filters vs. Water Softeners in Columbus, Ohio
Don’t Be Fooled: Halo Whole Home Filters vs. Water Softeners in Columbus, Ohio
If you live in Columbus or anywhere in Central Ohio, chances are you’ve heard about hard water—maybe you’ve even seen the scale buildup on your faucets, shower doors, or inside your water heater. In your search for a solution, you may have come across something called a Halo Whole Home Water Filter. These are often promoted by plumbers as "anti-scale" systems or sold under the impression they’re equivalent to a water softener.
But here's the truth: Halo systems are NOT water softeners. And for many homeowners in Columbus, that difference can cost you big in the long run.
What Is a Halo Whole Home Filter?
Halo is a brand of whole-home water filtration systems designed to reduce chlorine, sediment, and other contaminants from your water. Some of their systems also include a media that’s marketed as a “scale prevention” solution using Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC) or similar technology. This is often positioned as a salt-free alternative to a water softener.
Sounds good, right?
Not so fast.
Why Halo Systems Don’t Soften Your Water
Water “softening” refers specifically to removing calcium and magnesium ions—the minerals that cause hard water. A real water softener uses ion exchange technology, where those hard minerals are swapped out for sodium or potassium. This process actually removes hardness from your water.
Halo systems don’t do that. They condition the water at best, attempting to alter the way calcium and magnesium behave, but the minerals are still in the water. That means:
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You’ll still get scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, and fixtures
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Soap won’t lather as well
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You’ll still have dry skin, dull hair, and spotty dishes
Why Are Plumbers Pushing Halo Systems in Columbus?
In short? Because it keeps them in business.
A real water softener extends the life of your water heater, fixtures, and plumbing, meaning fewer service calls for clogged lines, leaky faucets, or sedimented appliances.
But if you install a Halo system instead of a softener, those minerals stay in your water—just in a slightly altered form. So while you might see a bit less scale, the long-term damage still happens. That means more:
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Water heater replacements
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Faucet repairs
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Pipe corrosion
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Routine maintenance bills
Plumbers know this—and many prefer it.
What Central Ohio Homeowners Really Need
In Columbus, Marysville, Delaware, and surrounding areas, hard water is a serious issue. The best solution is a true water softener that removes the hard minerals entirely. At Clean Water Ohio, we offer Water-Right and AO Smith Pro softeners engineered specifically for Central Ohio’s water quality. Pair that with a reverse osmosis system for drinking water, and you’ve got clean, soft, and safe water throughout your home.
The Bottom Line
Halo systems are great for chlorine reduction and general filtration—but they are not a substitute for a real water softener. Don’t let marketing buzzwords or misleading advice from a plumber leave your home vulnerable to the effects of hard water.
If you're tired of scale, spots, and appliance breakdowns, let’s talk. We offer free water testing and water treatment systems starting at just $30/month.
Call us or book online at www.cleanwaterohio.com to get started.