What Are the Best Water Softeners For the Home?
There are a number of different options for water softeners, from those with salt to those that are 100% salt-free. Choosing the best one for your home depends on the hardness of your water and what your budget is.
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Hard water isn’t just bad for your skin – it can damage appliances and cause scale buildup on pipes. A water softener can also help to keep your hot water heater from becoming clogged with mineral deposits.
Whether you have hard water or not, a water softener can be a great investment. It can save you money on water and heating costs, extend the life of your appliances and help protect your plumbing.
What Is Hard Water?
Water that has high levels of calcium, magnesium and other minerals is considered hard. This can cause skin irritation, a white film in your shower or bathroom fixtures and discoloration of your clothes.
If you think your water is hard, it’s best to get it tested. You can use the test kit from your local hardware store or ask your plumber to do a test for you.
Grain Capacity and Regeneration Cycle
The capacity of a water softener is determined by the number of grains it can remove and how often it regenerates. A higher grain capacity means more water can be processed.
To determine the right grain capacity for your home, start by taking into account how many people live in the house and how much water you consume daily. This will allow you to estimate the number of gallons of water your system needs to process. Then, multiply that number by the number of grains per gallon to determine how many grains it can remove at a time.
A water softener with a higher grain capacity is more expensive than one with a lower grain capacity, but it can also process a larger volume of water. This is important because it can help to prevent clogged filters and unnecessary repairs.
Depending on the size of your home, you may need to consider purchasing a dual-tank water softener. These systems have two tanks, each of which can work independently. This helps to ensure that you always have soft water available when you need it.
Some of these systems can cost as much as $6,000, so it’s a good idea to shop around for the right one for you. The price is influenced by factors like brand, ease of maintenance and installation, additional features and more.
Top Budget Models
The Fleck 5600 SXT is a top-budget option for those who want a water softener with optimal softening capabilities that are backed by a good warranty. It can handle up to 48,000 grains of water per day and has a 10-year tank warranty and a 5-year valve warranty.
Another popular choice is the iSpring ED2000 whole-house electronic descaler conditioner. This model eliminates iron and mineral buildup from your water without the need for a chemical-based tank or a complicated installation.