There are many types of water softeners available for homes and can be very beneficial. Having a water softener installed in your home can make cleaning easier by not leaving any type of build-up or hard water stains. You can save money by not having to use so much dish soap or detergent with softer water and it can have many great benefits for your skin and hair. If your home has hard water there’s really no wrong reason to get one you just have to decide which is best for your household.
Salt Based Water Softeners
Salt based systems are the most traditional types of water softeners. These sytems are meant to supply your entire home with soft water without sacrificng the flow. A resin inside attracts the calcium and magnesium and replaces it with sodium in a process called ion exchange. Once a week or so salt will be added to this resin to keep the exchange going and soft water delivered to your home. Although this type of softener requires weekly maintenance it does have a long life span which is beenificial to homeowners.
Salt Free Water Softeners
Salt free systems don’t require the upkeep that the salt systems do because they don’t depend on an ionic exchange. A salt free system doesn’t actually remove the minerals causing hard water but instead nuetralizes them. These systems can be more costly in the beginning but over time will save a lot of money because they don’t rewuire the constant maintenance or refilling of salt.
Reverse Osmosis Water Softeners
These systems may not be the first thought with water softening but they strip water of all substances including the minerals that cause hard water. This systems is generally used for only one faucet instead of the entire house and can cost a bit more but they do offer wonderful water for drinking.
Shower Head Water Softeners
If you only experience the effects of hard water with your showers it may be beneficial to get just a shower head water softener. Your hair and skin will be very thankful with this system and there will be no more hard water spots left on your shower and tub. This system is pretty cost effective and even easier to install. Simply remove your old shower head and put this one on and you’ll be ready to go. This shower head system uses cartridges to filter the hard water and will need them replaced every two months or so making maintenance simple as well.
Magnetic Water Softeners
Magnetic water softeners are decently new to the market and are advertised mostly as water softener alternatives because they don’t remove hard water causing substances. They work mostly like the salt free softeners by neutralizing these minerals and keeping them from bonding and keeping them soluble. This easy to install system means you can have all the benefits of soft water without the price tag of traditional softeners. This system simply wraps around your pipes and uses the magnetic force so you’ll be ready to go!