An ongoing debate in the world of hard water is:
“what's better: A salt-based water softener, or a salt-free water softener?”
In order to answer this question, we must take a look at each system and how it works, the pros and cons for each, and in what situation each is best suited for.
Salt-Based Water Softeners
These systems actually remove the hard water minerals from your water, and therefore leaves you with soft water.
Through a process called ‘Ion exchange’ these systems will remove magnesium and calcium minerals (hard minerals) and replace them with sodium (which is known as salt). Salt-based systems require the use of salt pellets and regeneration periods, which in simple terms, is like a ‘recharge’ of the system.
You may not like the taste of the water you end up with after using these systems (or you may be watching your sodium levels due to health issues), but there are three simple solutions for this:
- Install a by-pass valve – You can now disarm your water softener with the turn of a knob
- install a water filter onto a certain tap in your household- to filter your water for drinking
- Bypass the system to one supply point in your house- your plumber can do this for you.
Best situations to use salt-based system: This method of water softening is an effective way to remove hard water, so if your hard water levels are high, you should be using a salt based system.
Salt Free (Saltless) Water Softeners
Also known as ‘water conditioners’, or water descalers these systems DO NOT remove the hard water minerals, but rather Stop them from adhering to your pipes.
Hard water undergoes a process whereby the hard water minerals are ‘crystallized’, meaning they can no long adhere to surfaces, such as the inside of your pipes or your dishes.
This method is not as effective as using a salt-based system, and will not work as well when exposed to high levels of hard water.
Some of the salt-free systems on the market will come inclusive with an internal filter, which will filter the hard water minerals as it ‘conditions’ your hard water
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are salt water softeners banned in certain areas?
Water softeners are being banned because of the negative effects they have on agriculture. When water softeners regenerate, they flush the salt-filled solution into the sewage system. Water treatment plants don't have the resources to treat this kind of water therefore, the wastewater stream becomes salty.
Is softened water bad for the garden?
Most plants cannot tolerate high amounts of salt. The sodium in softened water actually interferes with the water balance in the plants and can kill plants by “fooling” them into thinking they have taken up more water than they have. Softened water essentially causes the plants in your garden to die of thirst.
Is softened water bad for dogs?
Yes, softened water with sodium in it can be dangerous for dogs. If you want to nourish your dog, give it spring water instead or water that only has beneficial minerals and no added salt whatsoever.
Can you water house plants with soft water?
No, we don't recommend doing so. The sodium in softened water can cause problems with plant growth, just like it does with general agriculture. Use reverse osmosis water or tap water instead.
Final Thoughts and Solutions
If you were to ask us, we'd go for a water conditioner or water descaler when it comes to drinking water because you'll retain the beneficial minerals inside of it. However, for everything else, a water softener tends to be better because it drastically reduces overall hardness.
Still, you'll also need to consider the fact that salt-based water softeners require maintenance, a drain, and you'll need to constantly buy salt packs for it to function, whereas a water descaler requires basically zero maintenance and only electricity to function as intended.
Looking For a great water salt-based or salt-free water softener system? Click here to check out our awesome reviews and ratings.
Looking for more water softener information or advice? start by visiting the Water Softener Critic homepage – a water softener information hub.
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