What Is Grain Rating on Water Softeners?
Grain capacity refers to the amount of calcium and magnesium ions a water softener can remove before it needs to be regenerated. This number can vary, as it depends on the type of softener and its water hardness level.
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Generally speaking, the best way to determine a softener’s size is to calculate how much water you use and the level of hardness in your home’s water. This can be done by looking at your water bill or contacting your city or municipality to get a hardness test.
Once you have this information, the next step is to calculate how many grains per gallon of water you will need your softener to remove daily. This is called your “grain capacity,” and it is the key to determining whether you need an efficient, time-initiated, or demand-initiated water softener.
When it comes to water usage, you should also consider your family’s needs and the conditions that may necessitate a larger unit such as a large family, or very hard water.
A typical household uses about 75 gallons of water each day, and this number should be multiplied by the number of people in your household to determine how much capacity your water softener will need.
The more people in your household, the higher the grain capacity you will need for your water softener. Once you have this information, it is easy to shop for a softening system that can meet your needs.
Grains are the building blocks of hardness, and they can be removed by a water softener to keep your water soft. This is why they’re a necessary part of any household’s water treatment routine.
What Does a 30,000 Grain Water Softener Mean?
Generally, the highest-rated water softeners are able to remove more than 30k grains of hardness before needing to be regenerated. However, this is a highly theoretical figure and is not necessarily accurate in real life.
When choosing a water softener, you’ll want to find one with a high grain capacity and low salt consumption. This will save you money in the long run and reduce the amount of salt your household consumes.
Most importantly, a high grain capacity means your water softener will not have to regenerate more often than every three days. This will prevent the need for extra salt and straining, which can lead to the deterioration of mechanical components and reduced efficiency.
How to Choose a Grains Capacity for Your Water Softener?
The most efficient way to determine the grain capacity of a water softener is to measure it in grains per pound of salt used. This metric can be difficult to find, as it is not mandated in some districts, but it is the most direct and efficient way to evaluate a water softener’s capabilities.
Most people are aware of the gpg or parts per million of hardness in their water, but they’re less familiar with how to calculate the correct grain capacity for their situation. This is where a grain calculator can come in handy. Simply enter the data from your water test or your local municipality’s annual report into this tool to see what size of water softener will be best for your home.