Having a water softener system installed in your home is a great way to improve the quality of your drinking water. These systems are not only effective at softening your water, but they can also remove the minerals and other contaminants that are found in your water. They also improve the taste of your drinking water.
There are a variety of different types of water softeners to choose from. These include salt-based, salt-free, and dual-tank water softeners. Salt-based systems use salt pellets to soften water. Salt-free systems use a resin bed instead of salt pellets. They have the same mineral content as hard water, and use a little less water to soften it.
Water softeners remove the hardness minerals from your water. These minerals can clog your pipes, and can also make your water taste bad. They also make soap and shampoo less effective. They can also corrode metal, and can increase the amount of lead and copper in your water. These issues can also make your plumbing bills more expensive.
In general, a salt-based water softener will use about 20 to 25 gallons of water per regeneration cycle. The average regeneration time is 105 to 152 minutes. When a water softener system first starts up, it may not soften water enough. This temporary problem should resolve itself during the next regeneration cycle.
A salt-free water softener is the same as a salt-based system, but instead of using salt pellets, it uses potassium chloride. This is a less costly solution, and doesn’t need to be replaced as often.
If you choose to buy a water softener, be sure to choose one that is the right size for your home. If you live in an apartment or condo, a small water softener system is ideal. However, if you live in a larger house, a system with a grain capacity of 80,000 or 100,000 grains is recommended.
If you don’t want your water tested, you can find out the average hardness level in your region by looking online. Usually, city governments post annual water reports online. You can also call your local water utility and ask for a report. However, Orlando Water Treatment finding the hardness level in your region isn’t as reliable as getting your water tested.
A quality water softener system should be installed by a licensed plumber. Most water softeners are automatic, but they may need certain components replaced. The best softeners come from well-known manufacturers, and have been proven to work. Quality systems are often made from American-made parts, and are NSF/ANSI 44 certified. This gives you peace of mind and more confidence in the system.
The water softener system should be installed in a flat, stable place. It should also be placed near an electrical outlet. It should not be placed in areas with freezing temperatures, and it should not be placed in direct sunlight. If you are considering buying a water softener, consider the size of your home and how many bathrooms you have.