Considerations For Selecting a Water Softener
Here are some things you should consider when buying a new water softener.
How does it regenerate?
No matter how large your water softener is, it is going to need to regenerate. There are three ways water softeners can do this:
- Manual regeneration. As the name implies, this type of regeneration requires you to pay attention and take care of it. When it needs to be regenerated, you will have to manually drain it. If you cannot connect your water softener to a drain, then you will need one with manual regeneration.
- Semi-automatic / Timer-based regeneration. These types of systems regenerate at intervals set by the user. You will need to have calculated your water usage and be aware of peak times to ensure that you have enough soft water available. The biggest downside is that because the regeneration time is a best guess, they tend to use more salt.
- Automatic / Meter regeneration. This system is the most efficient when it comes to consuming salt. Enter some basic information into the system and then it will automatically regenerate as-needed. When it comes to ease of use, this type tops the list.
Salt or saltless?
People who are on a sodium-restricted diet may have concerns about the amount of sodium that a water softener adds to their diet. The amount of sodium added depends upon the original hardness of your water and can range from about 30 – 1,200 mg/gallon.
Another concern regarding sodium is the impact on the environment.
If either your health or environmental factors prevent you from using salt, you have the option of using potassium chloride pellets instead. While this adds potassium to your water supply and waste water, it is generally regarded as being a benefit to both your and the environment’s health. However, there is one important downside: cost. A quick look on Lowe’s.com shows that a 40 lb. bag of salt sells for $3.97 vs. $26.99 for an equal-size bag of potassium chloride from the same manufacturer. That’s nearly seven times the cost.
Big-name brands or specialty brands?
The internet is full of debates about whether big name brands like Kenmore, GE, etc. are a better value than specialty brands. Much of the debate centers on the quality of the cheaper big-brands, which typically sell for significantly less than the specialty brands. If you do not plan to be in your home for more than a few years or so, then you will likely not need to be too concerned about this since even the inexpensive models should be trouble- for a few years.
However, if you plan to be with the unit for longer, do your research. Talk to neighbors and ask what they use. You can also talk to your water treatment plant and ask for recommendations.