Common Water Softener MISTAKES and Consumer Reports

Common Water Softener Buying Mistakes To AVOID

Avoid the mistake of opting for the cheapest water softener that may not meet your needs. The smaller, more affordable softeners are suitable for homes with 1-2 bathrooms and moderate daily water use. If you have a larger family or a home with higher water usage, it’s wise to choose a model that fits your requirements. Most softener models provide information on the number of bathrooms they can effectively handle. Selecting an inadequate softener might result in subpar water treatment or potential breakdowns, leading to additional expenses for repairs or replacements.

Don’t forget to check if you’ve got enough space and a suitable spot for installation. Whole-house softeners are very big, so make sure you’ve got ample space to accommodate them properly. It’s a must in order to ensure a smooth installation process.
Before you commit, check if your dream machine needs an electrical hookup and if it’s gonna produce some waste water. You don’t want surprises later on, so make sure you’re in the know for a hassle-free setup..

Ensure your selection includes a solid warranty and guarantee for any unforeseen issues. It’s an added layer of protection for peace of mind..

If you have some basic DIY and plumbing skills, you might consider obtaining a professional installation kit or ensuring that the unit comes with all the necessary components for installation. You can handle the installation yourself. Alternatively, contact the company you purchased the softener from; they usually have a list of preferred plumbers in your area.

Note: There are instructional videos on YouTube that can guide you through the softener installation process.

Aquasana Salt Free Softener and Filter System (Conditioner & Filter)	SpringWell Whole House Filter & Salt Softener (Traditional Salt Water Softener & Filter)
- Powerful salt-FREE water softener. - 1,000,000 one million gallon capacity. - Aquasana Rhino exceeds NSF standards. - Treats hard water WITHOUT salt. - Removes chlorine, bacteria, iron, sulfide, manganese, mercury, lead etc. - Includes pre-filter, copper-zinc and carbon filtration stages with standard fittings. - Treats hard water up to 25 ppm WITHOUT needing salt. - 90-Day Pure Satisfaction Guarantee.	- Powerful salt-BASED water softener. - Also includes a multi-stage filter. - Easy installation (inside or outside) - 6 month satisfaction guarantee and limited lifetime warranty. - Sufficient for 1-3 bathrooms (options for more bathrooms available).
Does NOT require electricity or back-flushing.	Requires electricity if using the electronic head monitor.
N/A	Effectively treats: calcium and magnesium.
Control Your System With An App:? NO	Control Your System With An App:? YES
Treats hard water UP TO 25 ppm (low to medium low hard water).	Treats hard water OVER 25 ppm (medium to extremely hard water).
Sale prices automatically applied by clicking this link.
If there is *no* sale try coupon code: AQGEEK50	Coupon Code: GEEK5
$$$ Ships to US and CA.	$$$ Ships to US, CA and Puerto Rico.

What Is Hard Water?

Hard water contains high levels of magnesium, calcium and other dissolved minerals.

You are studying different water softener reviews consumer reports because you want to get rid of hard water.

This is because hard water is what causes white limescale stains around your appliances, plumbing, pipes, sinks and tap faucets. Technically, any water containing more than 1 GPG of dissolved hardness minerals is considered hard, but realistically, the water is relatively mild up to 3.5 GPG.

Water with more than 10.5 GPG is very hard. Between these extremes lies the typical, moderately hard water.

Solve problems with hard water by getting a basic water softener.

Hard water comes from aquifers and other subterranean springs that collect dissolved minerals from rocks. Especially calcium, magnesium carbonate and manganese. These minerals give the water undesirable properties, collectively referred to as “hardness.”

The hardness is measured with grains (minerals) per gallon (GPG) or in some cases with parts per million ore (PPM).

Water Softener Reviews

Lots of water softener reviews consumer reports show that softening systems can cost several thousand dollars.

Though some companies can rent them to you for $40 to $100 a month.

Even if the water is very hard, the amount of sodium in the softened water should be low. But if you are worried, you should choose a system that uses potassium chloride.

In general, they are equally effective in water softening, although potassium chloride costs several times more than sodium chloride to regenerate softener systems.

Treats hard water UP TO 25 ppm (low to medium low hard water).	Treats hard water OVER 25 ppm (medium to extremely hard water).
Does NOT require electricity.	Requires electricity if using the electronic head monitor.
Control Your System With An App:? NO	Control Your System With An App:? YES
- Powerful salt-FREE water softener. - 1,000,000 one million gallon capacity. - Aquasana Rhino exceeds NSF standards. - Treats hard water WITHOUT salt. - Removes chlorine, bacteria, iron, sulfide, manganese, mercury, lead etc. - Includes pre-filter, copper-zinc and carbon filtration stages with standard fittings. - 90-Day Pure Satisfaction Guarantee. - Limited 10 year warranty.	- Powerful salt-BASED water softener. - 1,000,000 one million gallon capacity. - Also includes a multi-stage filter. - Easy installation (inside or outside) - Sufficient for 1-3 bathrooms (options for 4-6 and 7+ bathrooms also available). - 6 month money back guarantee. - Limited lifetime warranty.
$$$ Ships to US and CA.	$$$ Ships to US, CA and Puerto Rico.
Sale prices automatically applied by clicking this link.
If there is *no* sale try coupon code: AQGEEK50	Coupon Code: GEEK5

Hard Water Problems

Hard water is less of a health problem than a potential nuisance. Many of the problems caused by hard water remain hidden until some kind of error occurs in the water installation of your home or in a device that uses water.

By heating the dissolved minerals of re-crystallized hard water and in the form of flakes that eventually clog your pipes to reduce the flow of water.

Limescale deposits affect water heaters such as dishwashers and coffee makers and increase the need for repair.

The problems of hard water are revealed as annoying when bathing and cooking, cleaning clothes and the house.

Calcium and magnesium react with many soaps, shampoos, detergents and cleaners, which reduces their foam and cleanability and therefore don’t work as effectively.

They also form white limescale on and around your tiles and what looks like a hard-to-clean bath tub ring. In the kitchen, the hardness is translated into hard lime-scale on dishes and in kitchen appliances.

In addition, certain hard water minerals, such as iron and manganese, can give water a displeasing appearance, smell or undesirable taste.

People with hard water are more susceptible to skin rashes and skin problems.

Water Softener Types

By far the most popular and common type of water softener for the entire home is an ion exchange unit or “cation exchange”, but there are also other water softening technologies available, which are:

1. Salt-Based Ion Exchange Softener.
2. Salt Free Water Softener.
3. Magnetic Water Softener or Descaler.
4. Dual-Tank Water Softener.

The differences are explained below.

1. Salt-Based Ion Exchange Softener

This type of water softener circulates the water of the house through two tanks: one filled with special resin beads and the other with brine. It works on the principle of ion exchange by softening hard water by replacing sodium (salt) with hard minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iron.

2. Salt Free Water Softener

Salt Free Water Softening Systems

This unsalted water softener is designed for compact spaces. A salt-free water softener is regenerated with a potassium chloride salt substitute instead of sodium.

This type of device may be a better option for people worried about salt intake.

A salt free water softener is actually a descaling machine because it does not reduce hard water minerals.

It instead prevents minerals from depositing on the surfaces of appliances and pipes that use water.

The general consensus is that this type of water treatment is better than no water softener, but not as effective as conventional water softening.

3. Magnetic Water Softener or Descaler

Magnetic Water Softener: Eddy Magnetic Descaler

This electronic water softener has the reputation of improving water quality effectively and economically.

It is often sold as a “water softener without salt” but it does NOT soften water.

You should consider it to be more of an electronic or magnetic conditioner.

According to manufacturers, this plug-in device hooks into the incoming pipe. While there it creates a magnetic field that alters the electromagnetic properties of calcium carbonate minerals. This is so that they are repelled by pipes and each other.

If you want to try one of them, read the reviews of the Eddy Electronic Water conditioner on places like Amazon.

Note that the manufacturer offers a 12-month money-back guarantee. Leave your comment below if you try it.

4. Dual-Tank Water Softener

The dual tank water softener never goes out of service because while one is working the other is resting and vice versa.

This unit actually softens your water unlike some of the others on this list.

Dual-tank Water Softener For Commercial Use

These are so is one of the best selling double-tank water softeners. One of its tanks regenerates while the other tank is not in use.

If you can not afford your softener to have any down time, you have a big family or simply need a high capacity water softener machine then it maybe best to get a two tank softener with two tanks.

When one tank is operating in a double-tank unit, the other is being regenerated. As a result, the softened water is continuously supplied without interruption. And since these units work when needed, they can be smaller than the individual tank units.

Several different types of models are available.

These double tank softeners have a fully adjustable valve that is controlled by one meter. As the water softener begins to clean a tank, its controller shifts the water supply to the other tank and provides a continuous flow rate of 21 gallons per minute.

Best Water Softener Reviews

Which is the Best Water Softener?

After completing this article of water softener reviews consumer reports, I consider Aquasana Rhino to be the best salt free softener OR Pelican to be the best salt based softener.

This is because it is a digital water softener and is the best-selling softening system for the average home.

The digital display system combined with its unique specifications makes the configuration and execution of this system very easy.

It is a salt-based system so it needs to be regenerated.

However, it has automated this process very well and this is why people love it. You can almost “set it and forget it”.

In terms of softening hard water, this system is one of the best and it softens hard water around the clock.

This means there is no downtime.

Personally, I have checked it out and it’s the one I always recommend to family member’s when they ask for my opinion.

Aquasana Salt FREE Softener and Filter

Issues

Expensive.

Not good for very hard water.

Advantages

An extremely powerful filter that can treat a number of harmful toxins, chemicals and viruses.

The filter actually exceeds NSF (independent certification) standards.

Salt free softener that can effectively treat hard water up to 24gpm WITHOUT needing salt.

Comes with a professional grade installation kit that makes it easier to install yourself without needing to hire an expensive plumber.

90 day satisfaction guarantee.

Pelican Salt-BASED Softener and Whole House Filter System

Issues

Heavy and bulky system that needs space and access to plumbing.

Advantages

Effective at softening hard water.

Comes with a powerful multi-stage filter.

Save money because it is much cheaper then similar models from big brands. A unit like this from Rayne or Culligan will set you back thousands of dollars.

Easy to set up with a little bit of DIY knowledge without an expert plumber.

Great capacity as it can comfortably provide soft water to a home with 1-3 bathrooms. But you can select higher capacity versions (before you reach the checkout).

Regenerated metered counter, which means you can automate your soft water.

Comes with a 5 year guarantee and lifetime limited warranty.

Treats hard water UP TO 25 ppm (low to medium low hard water).	Treats hard water OVER 25 ppm (medium to extremely hard water).
Does NOT require electricity.	Requires electricity if using the electronic head monitor.
Control Your System With An App:? NO	Control Your System With An App:? YES
- Powerful salt-FREE water softener. - 1,000,000 one million gallon capacity. - Aquasana Rhino exceeds NSF standards. - Treats hard water WITHOUT salt. - Removes chlorine, bacteria, iron, sulfide, manganese, mercury, lead etc. - Includes pre-filter, copper-zinc and carbon filtration stages with standard fittings. - 90-Day Pure Satisfaction Guarantee. - Limited 10 year warranty.	- Powerful salt-BASED water softener. - 1,000,000 one million gallon capacity. - Also includes a multi-stage filter. - Easy installation (inside or outside) - Sufficient for 1-3 bathrooms (options for 4-6 and 7+ bathrooms also available). - 6 month money back guarantee. - Limited lifetime warranty.
$$$ Ships to US and CA.	$$$ Ships to US, CA and Puerto Rico.
Sale prices automatically applied by clicking this link.
If there is *no* sale try coupon code: AQGEEK50	Coupon Code: GEEK5