What Choices Do I Have When Picking A Water Softener?
If you have already decided that you need a water softener, there are still a few more decisions to make to choose the right one. Here are some of the important decisions to make before setting up your water softening system.
Magnetic vs. Chemical Softeners
The first thing to decide is whether you want to look into the magnetic water softeners or their chemical counterparts. Most water softeners are salt-based, chemical softeners. The chemical is added to the water in small amounts, where mineral particles bond to it. Essentially, it exchanges the minerals in your water for salt particles.
However, there is also the option of a magnetic water softener that removes particles by setting up an electrical current in your water. As the water flows past, mineral ions are attracted to the filter and separated from the water. Although this presents a great alternative to adding chemical softeners to your water, there are less studies done on how effective this method is.
Type of Softener Chemical
Another choice you can make is what type of chemical softener to add to your water, if you go that route. The most common option is to use salt ions to exchange minerals in the water. This adds about the amount of salt in a slice of bread to your water. However, you also have the option of using a potassium solution to soften water. Since the potassium water softener may be less effective than sodium, many water treatment specialists recommend that you opt for the traditional, salt-based softeners.
Amount of Salt In Solution
Another decision that you can make is how much water softener is used to treat your water. The softener can come in various forms, such as pellets and balls, that vary in size. If you hire a water treatment specialist to set up your water softening system, they may want to send a water sample to a laboratory to test the mineral content of your water. From there, they will help you decide the strength of solution to use without adding excessive salt content to your water.
Capacity of the Tank
Finally, you may be asked to choose the capacity and size of your tank. The most affordable water softener tank is a single tank that refills water on a regular schedule. But you may also opt for the larger, dual tank, where one side is filling up as the other is being used. Dual tanks provide a lot more convenience.
For more information on water softeners, contact a company like Hague Water Conditioning.
