3 Home Water Softener Solutions
The U.S. Geological Society estimates that 85% of homes in the US suffer from hard water. Unless you are actively doing something about it, your home probably has hard water too. Hard water is normally fine for human consumption, but the minerals found in hard water can wreak havoc on the home, especially when it comes time to clean it.
Hard water makes washing your hair to your clothes more difficult than it should be - and you still get poor results. Hard water can also leave deposits on plumbing fixture and cause other issues around the home. What do you do when you need to get rid of hard water? You soften it. There are a few types of water softening solutions available out there – let’s review some of the most popular.
Three Home Water Softener Solutions
Ion-Exchange Water Softener
The ion exchange softener is the most popular home unit in the US. In an ion exchange water softener, the minerals such as calcium and magnesium which cause hard water are drawn away from the water molecules by specialized beads. The calcium and magnesium ions are replaced with sodium, leaving you with soft water. These units can be utilized for whole homes.
Salt-Free Water Softener
As the name implies the salt-free softener utilizes potassium or a similar element in the place of sodium. This is a great solution for those who have issues with sodium intake. This type of softener is actually a descaler and operates differently than an ion-exchange unit.
Dual-Tank Softening Unit
The basic ion-exchange softener runs water through cycles and different tanks to prepare it for use for your home. This is typically done at night when water consumption is low and the home won’t be affected. However, if you need soft water around the clock you should consider a dual-tank unit. Dual tanks mean there is always soft water on demand, no matter the time of the day.
If you’re fed up with lifeless hair, stains on your toilet, and dingy looking clothes, you need to soften your water up. Consider an ion-exchange softener, salt-free softener, or a dual-tank unit if your water demands are high. You can avoid many of the hassles that come with hard water with a home water softener salt bridge.