The two most often mentioned techniques for water softeners are as follows.
The first option is to utilize a salt-based water softener, which replaces the harmful minerals in your water with sodium ions.
A salt-free water softener, on the other hand, uses potassium instead of sodium to crystallize (rather than remove) the minerals.
To assist you decide which approach is the most effective, let’s go into more depth about each one.
(Hint: Only one of them truly softens the water; the other doesn’t even function as a softener.)
#1: Water Softener Based On Salt
As was previously noted, sodium is used in salt-based water softeners to lower mineral concentrations (especially calcium and magnesium), which otherwise may harm your plumbing, water boiler, and even your skin or hair.
It’s a popular myth that a salt-based water softener may raise the sodium content of your drinking water to dangerously high levels.
Actually, a softener of this kind adds very little salt to your water; generally, 12.5mg of sodium per 8-ounce drink.
A water softener could never put Americans at danger of salt overconsumption via diet (especially restaurant cuisine).
The Benefits of a Salt-Based Water Softener
Salt-based softeners are recommended by American Home Water and Air because of their improved performance.
This is due to the salt, which is available in huge bags at most supermarkets in the Phoenix region, actually removing the mineral buildup in your water.
In order to comprehend why this is useful, let’s take a look at the saltless water softener.
#2: Salt-Free Water Softener
Potassium is substituted for sodium in a saltless water softener.
The mineral accumulation crystallizes as a result of a chemical reaction that the potassium causes.
This is advantageous because it stops the minerals from adhering to your clothes, plumbing, and other surfaces that hard water may cause scale to form on.
All of this contradicts itself, however, since a no-salt water softener isn’t really a “softener” at all; rather, it’s a conditioner or descaler.
In other words, even after going through a salt-free water softener, your water is still hard.
Why A “Water Softener” That Uses No Salt Is Bad
On the surface, a salt-free water softener could seem to be an acceptable compromise.
They don’t increase your intake of salt, for starters.
Second, they seem to have the same overall effects as a salt-based water softener (note the emphasis on “seems”).
Finally, a saltless water softener may appeal to certain people since it is easy to operate and does not need frequent salt replenishment.
A salt-free water softening system actually costs more (more particularly, the potassium pellets they use are more costly) while being less effective.
They don’t work as hard, thus they need less care.
This is true, for example, since a water softener without salt does not lessen scale building in machinery where water remains for extended periods of time.
More regular maintenance will be required as a result.
On the other hand, a salt-based water softener works hard to relieve the burden on your home’s systems that aren’t designed to manage minerals.
Magnet-based Softeners Are A Scam, So Beware!
Despite being useless, potassium-based water softeners are not a fraud.
We even install them for customers who are adamant about avoiding salt.
However, we will never install magnet-based “water softeners” (nor would any other legitimate water softener installer, for that matter).
They are a fraud.
Unfortunately, we’ve had to replace a lot of these systems over the years when customers discovered their deceitful nature the hard way.
According to their claims, magnetic water softeners use a powerful magnetic field to lessen the impacts of hard water.
The only thing that magnetic water softeners really do is cost you money; any claimed success has only been “proved” in infomercial-style advertising by hazy before-and-after shots and testimonials.
In contrast, the effectiveness of descalers and salt-based water softeners is supported by scientific research.
They also provide quantifiable outcomes; although water that flows through a magnetic system would test the same as it would have before, water that travels through them will test different from hard water.
In Phoenix, rely on American Home Water and Air for All Your Water Softener Needs
Since 1985, American Home Water and Air has offered household water treatment systems.
Numerous repeat customers who are pleased with our services, including the installation and maintenance of water softener systems, have given us hundreds of five-star ratings.
Phoenix has some of the hardest water in America, therefore a high-quality, long-lasting water softening system is required.
We hope you’ll give us a call or stop by if you’re in the Phoenix area to find out more about how we can assist you in choosing, installing, and maintaining the finest water softening system for your needs.
In addition, we provide water softening solutions in the nearby cities of Peoria, Glendale, Sun City, and others.
For all of your water heater, AC installation, repair, and softener requirements in Phoenix, Arizona, only rely on American Home Water and Air.
This was helpful, right? For additional helpful plumbing and HVAC information, see Air Conditioner vs.
Heat Pump: Understanding The Difference or 4 Reasons You May Need A Water Pressure Regulator Valve.
FAQs
Is a water softener without salt preferable?
A saltless water softener is not the best choice if you want to soften the water in your house.
Such a system substitutes potassium for sodium and crystallizes mineral deposits rather than completely eliminating them as a salt-based system would.
This leads to decreased efficiency, in addition to the fact that potassium pellets are much more expensive than salt.
Do systems for water softening without salt work?
As far as softening water goes, a no-salt water softener is ineffective.
They are better referred to as “descalers” since they do, in fact, lessen accumulation in many (but not all) kinds of plumbing equipment.
However, there is one specific kind of salt-free water softener that does not function: the pseudoscientific one that uses magnets.
What is the finest water softener without salt?
Potassium pellets may replace salt in our Patriot and President water softeners.
When it comes to utilizing water softeners without salt, they won’t be as effective, but they’re still about as trustworthy as you can get.
Are water softeners made without salt safe?
Although a salt-free water softening system is less efficient than one that uses salt, there is no evidence that it is harmful.
