How to choose the best water softener for you
What is hard and soft water?
The difference between the two is the number of minerals dissolved in the water. Rainfall water is soft. If it lands on non-porous rock and cannot penetrate the ground, it doesn’t absorb any minerals, and so it remains that way. If, on the other hand, it lands on porous rock (such as limestone or shale), the water passes into the ground, collecting minerals such as calcium and magnesium, and so becomes “hard” water.
The problem with hard water is that it causes limescale build-up in both plumbing and household appliances such as kettles, dishwashers and washing machines. That can make said appliances less efficient and ultimately, if left untreated, cause them to stop working. The effect of hard water on your pipes and boiler is something you don’t want to experience in the middle of the British bleak midwinter, either.
Fortunately, even those of us in the worst-hit areas can combat its potential effects by converting it back to soft water, protecting pipes and appliances in the process. You might also benefit from softer hair and softer skin.
Water softeners systems – what are they and what do they do?
A water softener is a clever box of chemistry tricks that attaches to your home’s water supply, before the water swills around your plumbing. When hard water enters the system it passes through a cylinder of sodium-packed ion-exchange resin beads, exchanging its magnesium and calcium ions for sodium ions, converting the water that enters your plumbing into harmless soft water.
Softener systems can only process so much hard water before running out of sodium ions, so after that capacity has been reached (which varies from system to system), the water softener regenerates itself by washing the ion exchange with a brine solution, which removes the collected calcium and magnesium ions and replaces them with more sodium ions, so that it’s ready to run again.
How do I know if I need one?
If you’re not seeing evidence of limescale build-up on appliances, taps or plugholes, but want to be certain, simply take a clear plastic bottle and fill it one-third full with tap water. Now add a few drops of liquid soap, stick the cap on and shake like you’re mixing a co*cktail. Let it settle and if it appears murky with very few bubbles, you likely have hard water.
If I do have hard water, do I have to buy a softener system?
Well, it’s not mandatory, obviously, and they are quite expensive, but they might save you money in the long run. Damage to household appliances and plumbing may require expensive repairs or replacements, which may prove more costly than a softener. Of course, you can buy water softener/limescale remover tablets and salt from any supermarket, but again, the cost of using these with each and every washing machine or dishwasher load will soon stack up; plus, these don’t help your plumbing.
What type of water softener system do I need?
That all depends on your average household water consumption. Not to be Captain Obvious about it, a single occupancy household would use considerably less water each day than a family of four, so pick the capacity of your water softener system accordingly.
Budget also comes into play, as does one other very important aspect: space in the cupboard it needs to be stored in. On this final point, don’t forget to factor in the additional space required for connectors.
Basically, you have three options: timed, metered and non-electric. The first suits households where daily water consumption generally remains uniform, as it produces softened water at intervals. The wetered option produces softened water on a more “on-demand” basis, so suits homes where daily water usage fluctuates. The final option, non-electric, is a softener system that uses your water pressure alone to function, thus saving on power bills.
You’ll also want to make sure that your choice is approved by the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS), to ensure it complies with UK regulations. If it doesn’t, move on to one that does!
Once you’ve decided on a system (see our reviews below), you or a plumber can fit your water softener system and reap the myriad benefits of cleaner clothes and crockery, better hair and skin, and vastly improved longevity for your appliances and plumbing.
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