If you’re a homeowner who cares about the long term value of your home as well as the longevity of the appliances in your home then you need to understand the difference between salt free water softeners and traditional salt based water softeners. By reading this article you will be better equipped to make the choice between these two solutions that is right for you and your family
The first thing to understand is that the term “salt free water softener” is really a misnomer. It is more correctly known as a “water descaler” because that is what it does — it descales water. Actually I suppose that’s not even entirely correct. It actually passes the water through an electric current which causes the scale material to stay suspended in the water as it passes through your pipes and over your shower tiles instead of becoming deposited on those surfaces. The actual definition of soft water is water which has had hardness minerals removed to levels at or below 1 grain per gallon (GPG). Obviously saltless water softeners don’t fit this definition because they don’t actually remove any hardness minerals from the water. They are simply suspended in the water so that they pass through your system instead of attaching to them and causing scale buildup over time.
Now it’s all fine and good to use a water descaler if that is truly what you want. If all you care about is keeping scale deposits from building up along your pipes and other surfaces where your water flows then a descaler is an ideal solution. Depending upon installation and other factors it can be very effective, or not very. When it does work, it is a great solution. However, if you are wanting and expecting benefits from your salt free water softener such as softer and healthier skin, clothes that last longer, and household appliances that work more efficiently and last longer as well, then you may be disappointed with the choice of an electronic water descaler – a.k.a. “no salt water softener.” According to a study performed by Perdue University in a paper titled, “Benefits of Using Soft vs. Hard Water in Laundering Operations”, fabrics that are washed in hard water tend to wear out as much as 15 percent faster than fabrics washed in soft water.
With the proper installation and regular maintenance of a good salt based water softener you can have all of the benefits that you might have been expecting to get from your salt free water softening system.
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Written by Genie Simmons
Topics: Water