We all agree that "water is life". You have to drink it, cook with it, bathe in it and even clean it with it. The water available in many households is hard, and while this in itself is not a health problem, its consistent use can be messy. From rashes to dry skin and hair, bad smelly water, pipe buildup, stains, little soap foam, and even a funny taste, hard water can be very uncomfortable.
A good thing is that mineralization of magnesium and calcium in the water is exactly what makes it difficult and can be eliminated by using water softeners. These water softeners work on the scale of water before the water reaches one of the taps in your home.
Make purchase decision for water softener
Next, since we have determined the need for a water softener in your home, remember to buy one. This is very good, but you need a water softener buying guide. Don't worry, it won't be difficult. We are here to show you how to do it. You need to consider the types of water softeners available in your area, and then choose the type and size that best suits your home. After all, you don't want to choose a water softener that is not suitable for the type of activities in your home.
What types of water softeners are there?
Water softeners can be categorized according to how they soften water and how they work. Now look at the water softener types, depending on how they help you soften hard water:
1. Salt-based ion exchange water softener
There is a water cycle here between two water tanks. While one tank contains special resin beads, the other contains salt solution, ie salt water. In this way, an ion exchange takes place, in which calcium and magnesium ions are exchanged for sodium-generating ions, which can soften the water. Since the water contains quite a lot of sodium, it is not suitable for drinking, but is ideal for dishwashers and washing machines.
2. Salt-free water softener
This water softener most preferred by homeowners uses filters. This is done by preventing minerals from being deposited in the water. Descaling protects water, pipes and equipment from damage, and softens the water without the use of chemicals or salt. They are best suited for the not so hard water. You will find that we have removed magnet-based water softeners from this list. These are cheats, plain and simple. See this article for more information.
The above water softeners also come with various regeneration methods.
- The non-electric water softener works without electricity so you don't have to worry about a higher electricity bill. The longer lasting water softener is driven by incoming water pressure and salt addition.
- The dosed water softener gets to work when a significant volume of already softened water is used up. In this way, the regeneration of water is controlled based on the need for soft water in your home.
- The Time Clock water softener works time-controlled. It helps to avoid wasting salt and regeneration water by calculating water hardness, plasticizer capacity and water requirements.
Different types of regeneration mean a different experience of using your water softener. In this AHWA article you will learn how to clean your water softener. This process can change depending on.
What size of water softener do I need?
Since you have looked at the different types of water softeners and can now decide which one to choose, you should choose the right size for your home. You are not allowed to jump to the size of your neighbor's water softener, but look at your own house and focus on certain elements that we will show you.
Water hardness
Before considering anything else, check your local water hardness. It is the volume of magnesium and calcium in your water and is measured in grains per gallon (GPG) or milligrams per liter. You need to know where your softener is using a digital programmer or whether you are getting your water from the well.
Flow rate
You need to check how many uses you have in your home. For example, if you use four bathrooms, four toilets, a washing machine, and a dishwasher at the same time, the flow rate affects the water size that each point receives. The flow rate, measured in gallons per minute (GPM), is affected by the volume of the resin, the mineral tank, the distribution system, and the pressure of the points used.
Water consumption
The best way to determine this is to check your water bill at the end of the month. This helps you to realize your average consumption per day. If you don't have the invoice, you can use this calculation:
Multiply the number of occupants by 75 gallons. This is a fair estimate of water consumption, as most households use 75 to 100 gallons of water a day. If you know the total amount of water consumed per day, you need to use this number to determine your daily softening needs. How it works:
Multiply the total number of gallons consumed per day by your grains per gallon (GPG).
Let us make it easier for you: Water consumption × water hardness.
If you are four in one house and each person uses 75 gallons of water and the water hardness is 71.12 grains per gallon, this means:
Water consumption ˭ 75 × 4 ˭ 300
Water softener size × 300 × 71.12 GPG˭21, 336
Therefore, you would have to choose a water softener with a capacity of more than 21,336 GPG.
Water softening is sure to be good for your system, especially if the tap water quality is low. To ensure that your hard water is softened properly and your water softener lasts a long time, you need to purchase the one that is right for your home. And there really is no effort to bother about calculations or buying a water softener as we are here to help you.
