Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Last Updated: Sep 11, 2020

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Water Softener Systems Comparison List

Systems Specs Information About Products SpringWell SS Water Softening Systems 32,000 - 80,000 Grain Tank. Whole House. Separate Brine Tank. Effective Removal of Hard Water Minerals. Well Water Compatible. Iron: ≤ 3 ppm. Install at Main Water Line + Drain Connection. Crystal Quest Whole House Water Softeners with Filtration 48,000 or 60,000 Grain Tank. Whole House. Separate Brine Tank. Effective Removal of Hard Water Minerals. Includes Filtration. Well Water Compatible. Install at Main Water Supply + Drain Connection. SpringWell FutureSoft Salt-Free Water Softener with Pre-Filter No Grain. Whole House. Salt-Free System Crystallizes Hard Water Minerals. Keeps Them Suspended in Water so No Scale Buildup in Pipes. Dissolves Already Existing Scale Buildup in Pipes. With Pre-Filtration. Iron: 0 ppm. Install at Main Water Supply. FilterSmart FS500 Salt-Free Water Softeners with Pre-Filter No Grain. Whole House. Salt-Free Softener System Crystallizes Hard Water Minerals. Keeps Them Suspended in Water so No Scale Buildup in Pipes. Dissolves Already Existing Scale Buildup in Pipes. With Pre-Filtration. Iron: 0 ppm. Install at Main Water Line. On The Go Portable Water Softener 8,000 and 16,000 Grain Tank. No Brine Tank. Remove Hard Water Minerals (Scale). Prevents Scale Buildup in RVs. Well Water Compatible. Doesn't Require Proper Install. Tier1 Essential Series Water Softener Systems 32,000 - 64,000 Grain Tank. Whole House. Separate Brine Tank. Filter Hard Water Minerals (Scale). Does Not Dissolve Already Existing Scale Buildup in Pipes. Well Water Compatible. Install at Main Line + Drain Connection. Eddy Electronic Whole House. Salt-Free System Alters Adhersion Properties of Hard Water Minerals. Keeps Them Suspended in Water so No Scale Buildup in Pipes. Dissolves Already Existing Scale Buildup in Pipes. Simple Install. POE or Under Sink. Fleck 5600SXT Water Softener System 24,000 - 64,000 Grain Tank. Whole House. Separate Brine Tank. Effective Removal of Hard Water Minerals (Scale). Well Water Compatible. Iron: ≤ 3 ppm. Install at Main Water Line + Drain Connection. SoftPro Elite High-Efficiency City Water Softeners 24,000 - 110,000 Grain Tank. Whole House. Separate Brine Tank. Filter Hard Water Minerals (Scale). Does Not Dissolve Already Existing Scale Buildup in Pipes. Iron: ≤ 3 ppm. Install at Main Water Line + Drain Connection.

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Choosing the Best Water Softener for Your Needs – A Brief Buying Guide With so many options to choose from it can be challenging to pick a water softener that really fits your needs. But don’t worry! This buying guide shall help you get a better idea of what to look for. Types of Water Softeners When people talk about residential water softeners they usually mean traditional salt-based softening systems that rely on a process called “ion exchange” to replace hardness minerals (mainly calcium and magnesium) in water with potassium or sodium ions. If you’re worried about the extra salt dose, especially if you have to limit sodium intake in your diet, you might want to consider a salt-free water softener a.k.a. water conditioner. These types apply a variety of technologies such as Template Assisted Crystallization or magnetism (great for small budgets) to alter the adhesive nature of hard water ions and thus prevent scale build-up and other hard water issues. However, most if not all of them will not actually remove anything from your water. All in all, ion exchange water softening systems are considered the industry standard and are still the preferred choice for the majority of home owners due to their unmatched performance. However, salt-free water conditioners are becoming more and more popular with increasing effectiveness. Cost How much a water softener system costs depends on its type, size, brand, and extra features. Simply put, you can spend anywhere between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars on a standard ion exchanger. Water conditioners are usually a bit cheaper. Also, don’t forget to take into account expenses for installation and operation (salt, water, sewer, and so on). We know, this sounds like a lot right now, but remember that a water softener will pay for itself down the road – when in 10 or 15 years your home appliances and pipes are still in great condition. Ion Exchange Capacity: Sizing a Water Softening System Water hardness is measured in parts per million (ppm) or grains per gallon (gpg). The latter is more common. If your water reads 10 gpg and your family uses 400 gallons of water per day on average, then your new water softener needs to remove 10 x 400 = 4,000 grains of hardness each day. But after hours of operation a salt-based water softener needs to regenerate. This involves washing out and draining away all the hard water minerals that have accumulated and also replenishing the resin. Now, the amount of hardness grains that a water softener can remove between two regeneration cycles equals its capacity. Depending on which system size you choose, capacities start at 8,000 and go all the way up to 80,000 grains and even higher if need be. If, for example, you don’t want to regenerate more than one time per week which is considered the optimum, your hypothetical water softener has to have a minimum capacity of 7 days x 4,000 grains/day = 28,000 grains (assuming there’s no iron or manganese present). In other words: You need to buy a large enough system that’s capable of handling your hardness level and water consumption. But don’t go over the top, because bigger means more expensive. As a general rule, the lower the capacity, the more often a water softener has to regenerate and the lower its salt efficiency which means higher cost. Flow Rate Flow rate is measured in gallons per minute (gpm) and determines how many soft water outlets you can use at the same time without losing water pressure. Obviously, if you live in a larger home you want to buy a water softener with a high flow rate (trust us, a trickle of a shower is the last thing you want). A low flow rate can cause hard water to bleed through the system at times of peak usage. For a larger family with 2 or more bathrooms we recommend a minimum flow rate of 11-12 gpm. Single households shouldn’t go below 7 gpm. Water Softener Regeneration Methods There are 3 methods for how water softeners (used to) regenerate: Metered – Metered a.k.a. demand-initiated regeneration is what digital systems use to trigger their regen process based on previous water output. This is the most cost and environmental-friendly method, since no more salt and water is being used than is absolutely necessary. Just to clarify: You do want metered regen! It’s what all up-to-date system apply.

– Metered a.k.a. demand-initiated regeneration is what digital systems use to trigger their regen process based on previous water output. This is the most cost and environmental-friendly method, since no more salt and water is being used than is absolutely necessary. Just to clarify: You do want metered regen! It’s what all up-to-date system apply. Timed – Timer-based regeneration means that you set a specific regeneration time. The system will then backwash, recharge, and rinse at specific time intervals, always using the same amount of salt and water regardless of your prior water consumption. As a result, if you use more water than usual you might run out of soft water prematurely. Using less means wasting water and salt.

– Timer-based regeneration means that you set a specific regeneration time. The system will then backwash, recharge, and rinse at specific time intervals, always using the same amount of salt and water regardless of your prior water consumption. As a result, if you use more water than usual you might run out of soft water prematurely. Using less means wasting water and salt. Manual – Manual regeneration is inconvenient and therefore only common with portable units. You have to add salt directly into the media tank and give it time to displace the hard water minerals sticking to the resin beads. Certifications Although not mandatory, look out for NSF/ANSI certifications that substantiate a manufacturer’s performance claims. Standard 44 was established for cation exchange softeners and covers things like: Material safety

Structural integrity

Salt efficiency (system must remove a minimum of 3,350 hardness grains per pound of salt)

Water efficiency (system must not waste more than 5 gallons of regenerant water per 1,000 hardness grains removed)

Effective reduction of hard minerals Basically, a Standard 44 certification gives you peace of mind that your system is quality and safe. Another certification to look out for is the WQA Gold Seal. Seller + Warranty Buying online gives you the largest selection of products and at the best prices. However, if you prefer to buy local make sure to get quotes from more than one company. In addition, beware of sellers trying to urge you into making a rushed decision. You want someone reputable and accredited with good feedback. Local water treatment professionals should also know what the water is like in your area and be able to tell you what works and what doesn’t. Lastly, pay attention to warranties – some companies provide separate warranties for different system components – and other after-sale services. A money-back guarantee wouldn’t hurt either, but not every seller is going to offer you one. Municipal Regulations Check if your local authority has banned the use of salt-based water softening systems. If so, consider other water treatment solutions . Other Factors to Take into Consideration A digital control head allows for simplified configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting.

A built-in bypass saves you from the hassle of having to installing one.

A unit that’s easy to service is likely to last longer – think components that are easy to access and take apart.

If you have the space choose separated over combined resin/brine tanks.

Look out for proven concepts, so products that have been around for a few years to rule out potential bugs. But don’t go too old or you might end up with prehistoric technology.

One or more filters before the water softener may be required.

Last but not least, universal rather than proprietary components are better for finding replacements parts.

More on Water Softeners What is Hard Water? In a nutshell, hard water is water with elevated calcium levels – the more calcium the water contains, the harder it is. Let’s quantify that: The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) classifies water as “soft“, “moderately hard“, “hard”, or “very hard” by measuring calcium carbonate concentrations usually in parts per million (ppm) or grains per gallon (gpg). 17.118 ppm = 1 gpg. Classification CaCO 3 in ppm CaCO 3 in gpg Soft water 0 – 60 0 – 3.5 Moderately hard water 61 – 120 3.56 – 7.01 Hard water 121 – 180 7.06 – 10.51 Very hard water >180 >10.51 Source Finding Your Hard Water Level Like we said, if you want to determine your water hardness level all you need to do is measure its calcium levels. You can do this yourself using a water hardness test kit (available online and at your local hardware store) or you can send a sample to a professional lab. The easiest way to finding your hard water level, however, is to check the latest Water Quality Report for your water supply. Yes, someone already did the testing for you! And even better: Public suppliers have to provide a yearly report for free. You are on a private well? That’s bad luck since private well operators aren’t legally bound to publish reports. Signs + Problems of Having Hard Water OR Why Do You Need a Water Softener? According to the USGS, most American homes receive moderately hard water or worse. And it’s not just well water. Softening water on a large scale is too costly for suppliers so that city water is equally affected. That said, installing a water softener or not is a matter of personal preference. It’s not required by law but it certainly has many benefits as you’re about to learn soon. But first, let’s talk about the signs and problems of having hard water: Scale deposits in your plumbing system and home appliances – Scaling is by far the biggest issue caused by hard water. This is because scale deposits can clog pipes, filters, valves, fittings, and more. Over time, water flow rates decrease which results in even more scaling. Eventually, pipes will wear out and might even break, your dishwasher starts leaking, and the overall lifespan of your water-using appliances decreases by a couple of years. Tip: The easiest way to identify scale is to look for mineral deposits in your kettle and coffee maker.

Staining – Mixed with soap, hard water leaves unsightly stains on all surfaces it touches like sinks, toilets, bathtubs, shower doors, glasses, and tableware.

Shampoos and soaps not lathering – Hard water gives you a hard time getting a nice lather in the shower.

Scratchy, faded laundry – All clothes, bed linen, and towels fade with time. However, hard water accelerates the process and gives fabric a scratchy and unpleasant feel.

Dry hair and skin – Many people that shower in hard water complain about dry, irritated skin and brittle hair prone to tangling. What is a Water Softener? A traditional salt-based water softener is a relatively large device that makes hard water soft. It has 3 main components: Resin tank– The tall resin tank does the actual softening. It contains a bed of microbeads called softening resin. Brine tank– The brine tank stores salt used for mixing a brine solution which is required to regenerate the softening resin. Control unit – The control unit or control valve sits on top of the resin tank. It is the brain of every water softener and operates the entire system. Types of Water Softening Systems and How They Work Let’s briefly discuss the different types of water softeners and how they work. Salt-Based Water Softeners With regular softeners, hard water flows into the resin tank where it gets in contact with the small, sodium-supersaturated resin beads. This is where the actual softening takes place: Calcium and other positively charged hard water minerals substitute sodium ions (also positively charged, but much weaker) attached to the beads which carry a negative charge and thus act like a magnet. This process is called “ion exchange” and it’s by far the most common method for softening household water. As a result, all hardness minerals are removed from the water and the sodium goes into solution. By the time the water reaches the bottom of the tank, it’s soft. From there it enters a tube, flows out of the system, and gets distributed throughout your entire house. By the way, instead of sodium, you can also charge your water softener resin bed with potassium, for example if you’re on a salt-restricted diet. Regeneration After operating for a couple of days, the majority of resin beads are covered with hardness ions, thus unable to soften any more water. This is when a water softener needs to regenerate. This includes flushing out all accumulated hardness minerals and recharging the resin bed’s softening capacity. Here the brine tank comes into play. It’s basically a salt storage. Mixed with water, the salt forms a highly concentrated brine solution which is directed into the resin tank. The brine washes over the resin beads releasing all hardness ions and replacing them with a fresh layer of sodium. As a last step, the resin bed is rinsed to remove any remaining hardness minerals and brine. Dual Tank Softeners A dual tank water softener uses two resin tanks. This has the benefit that while one tank is regenerating, the other tank can fill in. We haven’t mentioned this before, but a water softener cannot provide any soft water while in regeneration mode. This is also why regeneration cycles are usually scheduled to happen at night – no need for that, though, if you’re using a dual tank unit. Salt-Free Water Softening Systems Salt-free water softening systems also known as water conditioners include any type of water treatment system that reduces the scaling effects of hard water. What they all have in common is that they don’t actually remove any hard minerals from water. One prominent example for a saltless water conditioner is the SpringWell FutureSoft which relies on Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC). TAC makes use of catalytic bead media that crystallizes hard water minerals. Because in their crystal form, they don’t stick to surfaces. Scale prevention: Up to 99.6%. Other methods to condition water include the use of citric acid or polyphosphate as chelating agents. They bind hard water ions so they remain soluble. Magnetic and Electronic Water Descalers Magnetic and electronic descalers reduce scaling by inducing electromagnetic waves into the water. This is done with the help of simple magnets or coils which wrap around the water line. Effectiveness: 50% scale reduction in the best-case scenario, plus the remaining scale formation is soft and can be removed much more easily. Salt-Based Softeners vs. Salt-Free Water Conditioners The general consensus among experts is that water softeners are more effective than water conditioners at reducing scale. Furthermore, they work with almost all waters – the effectiveness of many water conditioners is highly dependent on factors such as water pH – and they’re more effective at higher hardness levels. Still, water conditioners have their right of existence. Their advantages include: Even dissolve existing scale deposits.

Can be virtually maintenance-free.

No need to continuously buy and carry heavy salt bags.

No salt added to water which is important for people on a salt-restricted diet and better for the environment and sewage systems.

Conditioned water doesn’t feel slippery.

No regeneration required which means no downtime and no wastewater. The Benefits of Using a Water Softener Here are the benefits of using a water softener from most to least important: All home appliances that use water, water heaters being the prime example, as well as your entire plumbing system will last up to 30% longer. That’s due to the prevention of scale formation. Consequently, maintenance and repair costs go down. The efficiency of your water heaters increases which in turn lowers your energy bills. Pumps and other appliances are positively affected, too. Staining on surfaces is eliminated. Your hair and skin will look and feel healthier. You will be able to complete your cleaning routine much faster. Improved lathering leads to reduced soap and detergent use. Your laundry will be much brighter and softer. Your overall water use will lessen. How to Install a Water Softener The best place to install a water softener is in the basement or garage close to where the main water line enters your house. If you want to do the setup yourself, here is a list of tools and supplies that you need:

Copper/flexible tubing

Solder and torch (depending on plumbing material)

Pipe cutter

Drain tubing (+ air gap fitting)

Plumber’s tape

Tape measure

Slip joint pliers

Valves, tees, adaptors, fittings Step by Step Installation Instructions Shut off the main water supply. Turn off your electric water heater if you have one. Drain the water in all involved lines by opening nearby outlets. Put water softener in place. Cut into main water line. Sand down the edges. Push the bypass valve into the control valve if not already installed. Connect the inlet and outlet port of the softening system to the incoming and outgoing water line (make sure to get the flow direction right). You can use hard or flexible tubing for this. Push fittings save you from soldering. Remember to seal any threaded ending with Teflon tape unless otherwise instructed. Establish the drain connection. Establish the overflow connection for the brine tank. Install the brine line. Fill salt into the brine tank. Set softener to bypass and slowly turn on water supply. Check for leaks. Wait a few minutes to allow air to flush out of the system. Slowly open the bypass valve. Check for leaks. Plug in your new water softener and follow startup instructions. Maintenance Generally speaking, a water softener is simple to maintain. Adding new salt into the brine tank is certainly the most important task. But you can do more to ensure that your system runs smoothly and at peak performance for years. Basic Water Softener Maintenance Steps You Can Perform Yourself Check brine tank for salt bridging or mushing and remove if need be.

Check if float switch can move freely.

About once a year, empty and clean the brine tank, and set regeneration to coming night. Optional: Sanitize.

For water containing high levels of iron, manganese, and/or tannins: Use resin cleaner.

Check condition of O-rings and replace if need be.

Exercise bypass valve to keep it lubricated.

Clean brine injector about twice a year. Water Softener Companies & Brands – Who’s Best? The following are popular and lesser-known water softener companies/brands and manufacturers. SpringWell The CEO of SpringWell Blake Gratton told us that his company is growing like wildfire. We’re excited to see what the future has in store for these guys! They’re our top pick. Fleck (Pentair) Fleck owned by Pentair is the go-to home water softener brand for many. Fleck SXT control valves are among the best selling on the market. GE GE Appliances is a trademark of the General Electric Company . The Haier Group manufactures GE appliances under a trademark license. The GE softeners we reviewed were all pretty solid. Culligan Culligan provides water treatment products for homes, offices, commercial places, and industrial applications. This includes a filtered bottled water delivery service. The company works with a franchise business model. Local experts help potential new customers test their water and come up with treatment solutions. For water softeners, the service also includes system installation, setup, maintenance and repair. WaterBoss WaterBoss, Inc. is another supplier of water softening and water filtration equipment. The company currently offers 3 different water softener models for residential use. They are not our favorites, though. Genesis Genesis softeners are sold by Discount Water Softeners, Inc. The actual manufacturer remains unknown due to proprietary reasons. What we do know is that all systems are engineered and assembled in the U.S., and their performance is decent. Kenmore (Sears) Kenmore does refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, dryers, and many more types of home appliances. All products are sold by Sears, the owner of the Kenmore brand. All in all, Kenmore softeners are good, but not phenomenal. Morton Back in 1848 when Morton Salt, Inc. was founded, the company focused on selling seasoning salt. Only since 2002 does Morton sell their own salt-based water softeners. But, again, they are not our favorites.

Other Water Softener Manufacturers Other water softener companies/manufacturers include American Water Technologies

Hellenbrand Water Conditioning

Kinetico Examples for manufacturers of salt-free systems are Aquasana

Pelican

ScaleBlaster

Calmat

Aquios

Eddy Electronic

Nuvo

RainSoft Water Softeners: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Do you need a water filter if you have a water softener?

A water filter and a water softener are two entirely different things. As the name suggests, water filters filter water for example to make it ready for drinking. A water softener provides soft water mainly to protect your appliances and pipes as well as your hair and skin.

A water filter and a water softener are two entirely different things. As the name suggests, water filters filter water for example to make it ready for drinking. A water softener provides soft water mainly to protect your appliances and pipes as well as your hair and skin. Is it better to drink hard or soft water?

It is better to drink hard water since soft water is high in sodium (or potassium) but low in overall mineral content, i.e. calcium and magnesium. However, both hard and soft water can contain harmful contaminants, which is why installing a water filter is usually recommended if you want to drink the water in your home.

It is better to drink hard water since soft water is high in sodium (or potassium) but low in overall mineral content, i.e. calcium and magnesium. However, both hard and soft water can contain harmful contaminants, which is why installing a water filter is usually recommended if you want to drink the water in your home. Can you filter softened water for drinking?

You can and you probably should filter softened water before drinking. Look for a water filter that has the ability to reduce sodium. A reverse osmosis system would make a great choice!

You can and you probably should filter softened water before drinking. Look for a water filter that has the ability to reduce sodium. A reverse osmosis system would make a great choice! Do I need a dual tank water softener?

For those who don’t know, a dual tank water softener setup has two tanks. Why two tanks? Because it gives you access to soft water 24/7. Dual tank doesn’t mean that both tanks work simultaneously. Rather, only one tank is active at any given time. As soon as it needs to regenerate the other fills in.

For those who don’t know, a dual tank water softener setup has two tanks. Why two tanks? Because it gives you access to soft water 24/7. Dual tank doesn’t mean that both tanks work simultaneously. Rather, only one tank is active at any given time. As soon as it needs to regenerate the other fills in. How can I protect my skin from hard water?

As with hair, hard water tends to irritate skin. This is because it’s more difficult to rinse off soap and shampoo using hard water, leaving your skin and hair dry. In addition, skin conditions like eczema can become worse. How to protect your skin (and hair)? Install a water softener. Questions about water softeners or any type of water filtration system? Ask Away! And make sure to come back to this guide from time to time as we are going to add a new water softener review occasionally.