How Often Do Water Softeners Regenerate?
Depending on the type of water softener, regeneration will vary. Some of the most common regeneration cycles are every two or three days, while others may regenerate once a week or even daily. In addition, the amount of salt used during regeneration may also influence the frequency of regeneration. Some softeners are metered and require a specific amount of salt to be added every day.
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Water softeners are designed to remove dissolved minerals from water. As the softener works, it passes the water through a bed of resin beads, capturing the hardness-causing calcium and magnesium ions. During regeneration, the beads are cleaned and reenergized with salt from the brine tank. The remaining brine water is flushed out of the resin bed and into the drain line. Once the ion exchange process is complete, the fresh water flows through the resins again.
Depending on the type of water softener, the process of regeneration can take between 10 and 15 minutes. During this time, the brine from the brine tank is pumped through the treatment medium to remove excess turbidity and sediment. If the water softener has a timer, regeneration can occur at a pre-determined time. However, if the water softener has no timer, regeneration will occur whenever there is a need. The number of times that a water softener regenerates depends on the type of softener, the water softener model, and the hardness of the water.
Water softeners that have a timer typically regenerate every day or at a predetermined “gallons to regen” setting. However, some water softeners regenerate only once a week or every two weeks. The frequency of regeneration also depends on the capacity of the resin tank. Softeners with higher capacity are more efficient and can regenerate daily. However, larger families will need more resin beads to regenerate.
When the regeneration process begins, the rotor valve controls the flow of water to the salt tank. After the salt solution is pumped through the resin bed, it is flushed out of the water softener. The regeneration cycle can be shortened by increasing the amount of salt added to the water softener during regeneration. However, shorter regeneration cycles are less effective. In addition, a large number of people in the home will exhaust the softening resins faster than expected. If you find that your water softener is not regenerating as quickly as you would like, contact a professional to troubleshoot the problem.
If you notice that your water softener is not generating soft water, it may be due to a blockage in the water line or a clogged injector/venturi valve. If the water pressure is too low, regeneration may not occur. If you find that the water softener is not regenerating when it should be, check the water meter. If you cannot locate the meter, you may have to regenerate manually.
The number of people in your home can also impact the amount of salt needed during regeneration. A larger family can increase the amount of salt needed. Those who are unsure of how much water they use can calculate their average daily water consumption by dividing the total water usage in a billing period by the number of days. This calculation can help determine the amount of salt that will be needed for a water softener.