Top 5 Benefits of Installing a Water Softener in Your Home

Hard water is water with high amounts of minerals like calcium and magnesium. 85% of American homes use hard water.

While hard water isn’t toxic, it can be harmful in other ways. Homes that use it can experience different issues—problems that can affect everything from your health to the cleanliness of your home.

One of the easiest ways to eliminate the effects of hard water is by installing a water softener. Today, we’re going to break down five ways a water softener can help.

Read on to learn more.

You Save Money

As mentioned, hard water contains minerals that soft water doesn’t have. These require higher amounts of energy to cool or heat the water and require a higher pump pressure. The mineral ions can also lead to pipe damage, leading to costly repairs down the line.

Getting a water softener prevents all of these problems from happening, saving you money over time.

You Get Softer Skin and Hair

If you’ve ever taken a shower in a home with hard water, you might’ve noticed that your skin feels dry and irritated. That’s because the minerals present in hard water can have a stripping effect, robbing your skin of its natural oils.

The same goes for your hair, which is why switching to soft water is a good idea if you want your skin and hair to look their best.

Cleaner Dishes

Many dishwashers leave a cloudy layer on top of plates and silverware. Often, that’s not your soap’s fault—it’s because your dishwasher uses hard water.

When you switch to soft water, you get to enjoy cleaner, stain-free dishes. You don’t have to worry about minerals leaving residue or anything else behind.

Softer Clothes 

In addition to plates, hard water can also harm your clothes. You won’t have to worry about faded colors caused by mineral deposits by buying or renting a water softener.

You’ll also get the satisfaction of knowing that your clothes are as clean as possible!

You Spend Less Time Cleaning 

Anyone with hard water in their home knows how it can leave residue on everything from their showerhead to their toilet bowl. In a matter of days, the mineral deposits accumulate, creating an unsightly coating.

When you have soft water, you don’t have to worry about having to clean that. Besides sanitizing and cleaning as you usually do, you’ll no longer have to worry about scrubbing these places every few days.

Enjoy All the Benefits of Installing a Water Softener 

While installing a water softener isn’t always at the top of many people’s home improvement lists, the truth is that getting one provides your home with many different benefits.

As this guide explains, water softeners can help give you everything from softer hair and skin to a happier bank account. Install one today to enjoy all that they have to offer!

Do you now have a better idea of why you should buy a water softener? If you do, make sure to check out the rest of our site for more great content.

Water softeners- what type should you choose?

If you consider buying a water softener, you need to do due diligence and learn about essential information. It will ease out the selection process. Let’s start by presenting the main types of water softeners.

Salt-based ion-exchange softener

It’s a water softener that cycles the household water through two tanks: one with resin beads and the other with brime. The ion exchange is the mechanism, and the device softens hard water by substituting sodium for hard minerals like iron, magnesium, and calcium.

Salt-Free Water Softener

This decision regenerates with a potassium-chloride salt substitute and not sodium. The unit is ideal for people who mind the salt intake. Instead, this kind of water softener is a descaler and doesn’t lower the number of hard water minerals. Instead, it stops minerals from depositing as a scale to the surface of pipes and appliances that use water.  

Dual-Tank Water Softener Systems

Water softeners are made so that they disconnect from the water systems when charging. Therefore, the regeneration cycle is typically set to happen at night. Understandably, this can be an issue if you need water during the regeneration cycle.

The problem is solved with a dual-tank water softener that features one tank for regeneration while you use the other tank. The dual-tank water softening unit with two resin tanks is ideal for large families or places with severe complex water issues. With such a model, when one tank is regenerating, the other can be used. You will have softened water all the time.

There are many models to choose from and you should opt for one with a fully adjustable valve.

Note

When you look for a dual-tank water softener, pay attention to the space you need for installation. You should set it so that it supplies water for the whole house. Such a unit requires a drain for backwashing. Don’t forget to place it near a circuit if you buy a model using electrical power.

A solid warranty on the control valve (10 years for the tank and three years for the valve) and NSF certification (National Sanitation Foundation) is crucial for a dual-tank water softener.

Magnetic Water Softener

It’s a plug-in device that clips on the incoming pipe and sets a magnetic field that modifies the electromagnetic properties of the calcium-carbonate minerals. The device will prevent them from forming scale. You don’t need salt and water to operate a magnetic water softener nor to regenerate. They represent the most affordable units, but there’s not much science-backed evidence to suggest their efficiency.

How should you select the size for your water softener?

When selecting a new water softener, getting the right size for the unit is essential. You want a unit that handles your household’s demands without being oversized or expensive. It’s not the size of the unit that matters, but its ability to be efficient without frequent regeneration.

Water softeners come in various sizes, and they’re rated by the number of grains of hardness that can eliminate from water between two regeneration cycles. Look for a unit that can work for at least three days without needing to regenerate.

How do you know which size of water softener you need?

Multiply the number of family members by 75 (it’s how many gallons a person uses throughout a day) to discover the amount of water your household uses every day. Continue with multiplying the number by the number of grains per gallon (GPG) of hardness minerals in the water – you will find out the capacity of the water softener you need.

Let’s say that your family of five needs 375 gallons of water every day. For 10GPG water, you get 3,750 GPG of hardness minerals that need removing every day.

Features and controls to examine

The size of the unit is crucial, but you should also pay attention to the features and controls. Take a look at the controls of the regeneration cycles, the length of cycles, and the amount of water and salt needed for recharging. Even if you buy a fully automatic unit, you still need to refill it with salt from time to time. Various modes are used to adjust the cycles, but the main types are:

The timer controls

According to the average usage, electronic timers or clocks will automatically recharge the unit at a specific set date and time. If one day you use more than usual, it will be tricky. Such timers also cause waste of water and sodium because they will regenerate even if not needed.

Softener DIR controls

The called demand-initiated regeneration (DIR) senses when the resin requires recharging. It can sense through a meter or electronically. Such a feature saves salt and regeneration water because it will recharge only when necessary. Additionally, it’s reliable even when you use large amounts of water.

What other aspects to consider when buying?

The water softener is an essential investment that affects the appliances using water in your home. As a result, you should never rush the selection process when buying. Here are some other important aspects to examine when selecting a model:

Pick the proper water softener company

Once you have a model and a size, we recommend you check out the prices for the model from two different water softener companies. Ensure that the quotes are based on the same aspects: types of controls, regeneration cycle, level of service and warranty for the resin tank and the control valve.

We advise you to buy from a reputed manufacturer to get a quality product backed by a company with experience and a future in the business.

See if you need a plumber for the installation or an exceptional factory service technician. When choosing the unit, don’t forget to consider the monthly fee for maintaining the water softener.

Water softener certification

Check out the certifications for your water softener. NSF International is an independent testing organization that certifies water-treatment devices, such as water softeners. The Water Quality Association also certifies equipment, so get a model with a WQA Gold Seal. No certification guarantees performance, but it at least certifies that the unit you’re about to buy passed testing for industry standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a plumber to set up a water softener?

Water softeners and other water treatment options need to meet codes that the Department of Public Health establishes. As a result, only a licensed plumber is certified to install a water softener.

Is it worth buying a water softener?

The most crucial advantage of water softeners is that they can expand the durability of house appliances. When you use a water softener with your daily devices, you will protect them against excess wear and tear. Water softeners reduce the risk of scale buildup in the faucets and pipes. Therefore, your appliances will last for a long time without losing their efficiency.

Is it safe to drink water with a water softener?

Most of the time softened water is safe to drink. However, the softener salt will only soften the resin that acts on the water, so no salt travels into the water supply. The sodium level will increase in softened water.

How long does a water softener last?

Even if a good water softener lasts between 10 to 15 years, you still need to keep up with its regular maintenance. No water softener will last forever, but you can expand its lifespan to the maximum with proper and routine maintenance.

Will soft water damage your hair?

Soft water may flatten your hair or cause a greasy texture. Many professionals warn that limp and lifeless effects on hair are common with soft water. Even so, soft water is less damaging than hard water. Use a volumizing shampoo and a lightweight conditioner to reduce the effects of soft water.