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When Do You Need a Water Softener System?

Brian Barth
bathroom sink

There are significant advantages to soft water, leading many homeowners in hard water areas to consider a water softening system. These are fairly costly and are not without their drawbacks, so it's important to have all the information on hand before making a decision.

Hard Water Issues

Hard water has more dissolved minerals in it than soft water, especially calcium and magnesium. This poses several issues:

washing dishes
  1. Soap does not lather as well or clean as effectively, meaning you use more with poorer results, whether on dishes, laundry or your body; plus, soap scum builds up easily with hard water and hair is left dry and frizzy.
  2. Hard water also leaves a residue inside pipes and appliances (called scale), which can build up to the point that performance is reduced and replacement is eventually necessary; it also means that water pumps and appliances have to work harder, using more electricity and raising utility bills.
  3. The mineral deposits that build up inside pipes also collect in sink basins, tea kettles, pots, pans and glassware - anywhere that the water is left to evaporate or boiled off; it's not a health threat, but drinking white scaly things in your tea is not all that pleasant.

As far as human health goes, there is evidence that hard water is beneficial to the body as it contains important minerals. Many people think hard water tastes better, too.

A Matter of Degree

If your water is hard, it will be evident by the way soap resists lathering and the mineral deposits that it leaves. However, when weighing whether to invest in a water softening system, you may want to have the degree of hardness tested to know if your water is at the highest end of the spectrum where damage to plumbing and appliances coupled with increased energy bills begin to make it a worthwhile investment from a financial perspective.

test tubes

Hardness is measured in grains per gallon (GPG). Grains refers to the suspended particles of minerals and is unit of measurement equivalent to 65 milligrams of calcium carbonate.

  • <3.5 GPG is considered soft water
  • 3.5 to 7 GPG is considered moderately hard
  • 7 to 10.5 GPG is considered hard
  • >10.5 is considered very hard

You can buy a test kit at some hardware stores, but many water softener companies will test the hardness for free.

Regional Water

It's a common myth that well water is hard and city water is soft, but the reality is that both may need softening. City water is only as soft as its water supply, which is generally from rivers and lakes rather than wells. Because much of the mineralization of water occurs as it passes through bedrock, well water is harder on average than surface water in the same region.

However, there are regions that have naturally soft groundwater, which is much softer than surface-collected city water in a region with naturally hard water. Generally speaking, the Midwest and Southwest have the hardest water, while residents in the rest of country enjoy softer water and are less likely to need a softener.

Choosing a System

mini water filter

Conventional softening systems use salt to chemically neutralize the minerals that cause hardness. You will have to add salt to the softening tank periodically to keep the water soft, so the bigger the system the longer it can go between 'regenerating,' as it's called in the industry. Bigger systems cost more, but require less attention to make sure the salt level is adequate.

Cost Considerations

Among the many styles and models of water softeners, the differences boil down to how easy they are to maintain, whether they self-regulate (input salt from a separate bin as needed) and how energy-efficient they are to operate. The inputs of salt and electricity can make a water softener cost more than five hundred dollars per year to operate, so it can pay off to purchase one that is rated for high efficiency.

Salt-Free Options

There are also salt-free water softeners that don't actually remove the minerals that cause hardness, but they do keep them from building up in plumbing and on surfaces in your house. They are technically water conditioners, not water softeners, though they are often marketed as such.

Reverse Osmosis Filters

Reverse osmosis filters (RO) will also remove the minerals that cause hard water, but they are more geared for other applications, such as removing chlorine, contaminants and improving taste. Hard water shortens the lifespan of RO filters, so it is generally recommended to install a water softener in conjunction with an RO filter.

Models to Consider

  • GE makes a reasonably-priced, 'smart' softener that has a built-in computer that tracks your family's water use patterns for optimal salt use and energy efficiency; it retails for around $400 and is suitable for a couple in a small house with moderately hard water.
  • For larger families (up to 7 people) and seriously hard water, a model such as the Fleck 7000 is in order; this one sells for around $800 on Bonanza.
  • If you want to go the salt-free route, it will cost more up front, but there is no salt to buy and the devices cost less to operate; Aquasana makes one suitable for an average size house/family for about $1000.

Making a Decision

In areas with extremely hard water, water softeners are considered a necessary amenity by most people. If your water is modestly hard, however, it becomes more a matter of personal preference and your willingness to spend money for the luxury of soft water.

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When Do You Need a Water Softener System?