There are many types of water softening systems, and it’s best to have information on each, so you can do a water softener comparison before selecting one. Factors that should be considered include size, installation requirements, softener rating, advantages and disadvantages. Although hard water is beneficial, it does create a build-up of magnesium in in appliances, such as water heaters and plumbing pipes. It also can have an adverse effect on skin and hair. The main purpose of a water softener is to counteract the adverse effects of hard water.
Salt free water softeners are recommended for commercial and residential settings with less than 75 grains of hardness. It’s also recommended for those with high blood pressure or people who want chemical free water softening. This type of water softening system uses calcium carbonate crystals that attract excess hardness and removes it by absorbing it into the crystal structure. Benefits include no wasted water, no need for a reverse osmosis system for drinking water, 50 percent less needed detergents and soaps and complete removal of hard water particles. With this type, you’ll also be adding years of life to your water heater and won’t need to call water heaters San Antonio companies for a repair.
Salt water softener systems use an ion exchange procedure. The cation exchange replaces the hard ion with a non-hard one. The exchange ion is sodium. While these systems are effective, they are not recommended for drinking water and the watering of plants due to its sodium content. However, you can always leave one kitchen tap unsoftened for drinking water. It is definitely not recommended for those on a low-sodium diet. These systems also require maintenance from a water heaters San Antonio company.
Reverse osmosis systems remove dissolved impurities through a permeable membrane. The process eliminates unwanted molecules by the membrane, and the impurities are swept down to the drain. The advantage is ultra-fine filtration. It removes most solids, heavy metals and salt. Although effective, these systems only recover about 5 to 15 percent of water. The rest is wasted. In addition, a booster pump may be needed, as they can cause low water pressure. Maintenance includes the periodic replacement of membranes.
Magnetic water softener systems reduce the concentration of magnesium and calcium ions that react with detergents to form scum. They cause the carbonate salts to be reduced within the water itself. These systems are effective in softening water, but are typically more expensive than other water softening systems, such as salt free water softeners.
In addition, when doing a water softener comparison, quality, performance and cost should be considering factors. Take a good look at the grains capacity and backwashing. You’ll be saving money with systems that do not waste water through backwashing. Systems with low or no maintenance will save money in less calls to a water heaters San Antonio contractor. If you’re unsure about the hardness water levels of your home’s water, your water supplier can give you the level. There are also hardness water testing kits sold at large hardware chains.
To learn more about a water softener comparison or water heaters San Antonio services, be sure to visit http://chamblissplumbing.com/blog.
