Saltless Water Softener

Mineral buildup and scaling creates problems with a home’s plumbing system. Washers are less efficient because of hard water. The detergent used is less active when mixed with minerals such as magnesium and calcium. The same holds true for bath soaps. The reaction leaves a soap residue on the skin and surfaces of the tub and shower. Installing a saltless water softener can help solve the scaling problem.

Minerals in hard water will crystallize in water pipes. The buildup can eventually reduce the flow of water. The white residue left in teapots and other cookware is the result of hard water. The traditional water softener systems filter and remove the minerals, and in some cases, replaces several of the minerals. Filtration systems that use salt will add sodium to the water to give it that soft feeling. Subsequently, family members are consuming more sodium in their daily diet.

Saltless Water Softener

A saltless water softener reacts with the minerals allowing them to flow freely. This process helps eliminate scale build up in coffee pots and washing machines. The process is done in some cases electronically or magnetically.

The more popular brands such as Easy Water 1100 use electronic-scale reduction technology. The unit can be used on copper or plastic pipes up to one inch in diameter. The process eliminates the need for backwash so it is environmentally safe. The unit itself is easily installed virtually anywhere there is access to the home’s cold water supply line. The device is approximately 70 inches square. The unit requires 120-volt standard household current, so access to a receptacle is required.

The home’s water supply does not flow through the unit. A signal wire is attached to the supply line from the unit. The water is then treated electronically as it flows through the pipe.

Water hardness is classified by grains per gallon or GPG, which is a measurement of the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water. Water is classified as hard when the GPG exceed 10.5. The Easy Water 1100 will condition water up to 20 GPG. This is important when choosing a saltless water softener brand.

Another popular brand is the HardnessMaster by Vitasalus, Inc. This system will condition hard water up to 50 GPG, which is considered extremely hard water. This system is ideal for homes that rely on well water. However, it works well with treated city water supplies. The HardnessMaster employs the same electronic technology. The unit requires 120-volt standard household current. The system is smaller in comparison to similar models. The installation time is approximately 30 minutes when installed by the homeowner. The system can be used with plastic, galvanized and copper piping. According to the manufacturer, the estimated cost to operate is under one dollar a month.

Most homes’ water supply will have minerals. The calcium and magnesium build up over time will reduce the life expectancy of dishwashers, washing machines and plumbing fixtures. The calcium causes soap buildup, which is extremely hard to remove. The mineral will cloud shower doors and chrome fixtures. Hard water will also dry out skin and hair. Essentially, using a saltless water softener will save money and improve the quality of living in most households.

Water Softeners: How They Work

Water Softeners: How They Work You may have asked yourself the question how do water softeners work? Well we do know that it gets rid of the minerals in the water that cause precipitates to show up in the water. The minerals that are responsible for this hard water build up are magnesium, calcium and other minerals. Hard water poses a number of problems but the main two are that it precipitates in your appliances such as your coffee makers, tea kettles and water heaters as well as your pipe lines. It also reduces the ability of your soap to lather for washing dishes clothes and for bathing as well. What is left behind is a sticky scum that gives you more work to do since you have to do physical cleaning to get rid of it especially in the shower stall.

There are a number of ways that you can go about combating hard water but the best way to do it is by using a water softener. This is especially true when you want to de-mineralize the water in your entire home. Other ways you can go about getting rid of the minerals in your water is by distillation or reverse osmosis which will be very expensive if you want to use them with the water in your entire home. So how do water softeners work and why are they the best method for getting rid of the mineral in your water.

The basic principle that a water softener uses is swapping. It removes the magnesium and calcium ions which are the culprits behind having “hard water”. They are replaced by an ion such as sodium that doesn’t precipitate and doesn’t leave a bad taste.  If you are concerned about the amount of sodium that you are consuming you will be happy to know that a water softener adds less than 12.5 mg of sodium per ounce so you won’t be getting too much sodium from drinking and using your water for cooking. In a couple of cycles these beads would have done all the work they can do and so you will have to add the salt. The beads are still used however they go through the regeneration cycle where they are soaked in a solution of salt and water. After the regeneration process the salt and water solution is flushed out of the system via a drain pipe and never enters the pipeline to your home.

So how do water softeners work? Simply by swapping out the minerals that leave a precipitate behind and replacing them with mainly sodium ions which are more palatable and does not leave a residue behind. The majority of water softeners work by using the salt and plastic bead approach mentioned above. How the softener determines when the beads need regeneration is dependent on an electric timer, a mechanical meter or a computer.

If you are interested in purchasing a water softener you can expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $27000. Most of them can be easily installed and removed so moving and taking it along will not be a hassle. You could hire a plumber to ensure that the system is properly installed which could cost you between $100 and $600 but it will be money well spent in the long run.

 

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