85% of homes in the United States have hard water and dealing with hard water requires an effective solution. Typically, homeowners choose between a salt-free water conditioner and a traditional salt-based water softener. Which one is right for you?
To make the right decision, you should consider both the benefits and drawbacks of each system.
First let’s start with the basics. What exactly is a salt -free water conditioner?
A salt-free water softener isn’t a softener at all. In fact, it’s more accurately described as a salt-free water conditioner. It reduces the effects of hard water by changing the properties of calcium and magnesium. Water softening occurs when hardness minerals are removed, however, salt-free systems don’t technically remove anything. Instead, they change the chemical structure of the minerals so they’re less adhesive. That means calcium and magnesium will still be present in your water but won’t be as sticky and troublesome as before. As such, you’ll enjoy better but not softened water.
Why Should I be concerned with Hard Water?
Hard water may not be a health risk, but it’s certainly a big and costly irritant. If you want to protect your skin, hair, dishes, laundry and your home you need a water softener. Hard water causes scale build up which can reduce the life span of your appliances which can be costly to repair or replace.
Salt-Free Water Conditioner Pros
The first and perhaps most important benefit of a salt-free water conditioner is that it doesn’t use salt. That means you can use a salt-free water conditioner in situations where a water softener may not be allowed. For example, some areas have imposed brine restrictions, which means you can’t have a softener that requires regeneration through a brine-based backflushing process.
A salt-free solution can have other benefits, too. There will be no need to buy salt and refill your system to keep it operating as it should. Furthermore, some salt-free water conditioners don’t use electricity. As such, you might be able to reduce your power consumption while still addressing some of the most frustrating elements of water hardness.
Salt-Free Water Conditioning Cons
Since the calcium and magnesium is still lingering in your tap water you may notice that your skin is dry and flaky, your hair is brittle. You will use more detergent while doing laundry and washing. You may experience a slight decrease in spotting of surfaces due to hard water but you will likely still experience those pesky hard water spots which are difficult to remove.
Finally, water conditioning is difficult to measure. While you can track a water softener’s results with a water test, conditioning doesn’t add or remove anything, which means hardness levels stay the same.
Which One is Right for Me?
After weighing the pros and cons the only thing you have to do is decide whether a water softener or salt-free water conditioner is best for your needs.
How do you decide which choice is best? Simple: Start with a water test and consultation. This will give you important information about hardness levels in your area, other water quality issues you might want to address and whether you need softening or conditioning.
Take the first step by scheduling your free, in-home water test and consultation today. Call us at (805) 963-7873 or visit www.getpurewater.com