FAQ

What is a water softener?

A water softener is a filtration system that has the main purpose of removing hard minerals from your water. These hard minerals, calcium and magnesium, tend to bond together and create what’s called hard water. A water softener filters out these hard minerals through ion-exchange, salt-free neutralization, reverse osmosis, or another form of filtration to leave you with softened water flowing through your plumbing.

What does a water softener do?

Depending on the type of water softener that you purchase and install, a water softener will do different things. If you have a salt-based water softener, it will replace the calcium and magnesium in your water with sodium, leaving you with soft water in which all of the hard minerals have been removed. Salt-free water softener systems work differently as they do not remove the hard minerals but instead neutralize them and do not allow them to bond together. Reverse osmosis water softeners will remove all minerals from your water, including the hard minerals like calcium and magnesium. You will then want to add healthy minerals back into your water before drinking.

How does a water softener system work?

Each type of water softener on the market works in different ways. Salt-based water softeners rely on a water softening process known as ion-exchange. During ion-exchange, the hard minerals calcium and magnesium are trapped by a resin that is placed inside of your plumbing. This resin then replaces the hard minerals with the softer mineral sodium creating soft water for your home.

Salt-free water softener systems have a few different methods of softening your water, but they all have the same end goal: the neutralization of hard minerals. A citrus-based salt-free water softener introduces citric acid into the water which then, in turn, neutralizes the magnesium and calcium and does not allow them to bond together and build up in your water. A magnetic water softener is also salt-free but uses magnetic wiring that is wrapped around your pipes. These magnetic water conditions then condition the water that is passing through them.

A reverse osmosis water softener gets rid of all of the minerals that are in your water through the process of reverse osmosis. These types of water softeners are typically built for under-sink installation and only service the sink to which they are connected. Because the reverse osmosis water softener system removes all minerals, you will need to re-introduce healthy minerals to your water before it is ready to drink.

How much does a water softener cost to install?

Like with any product that requires installation, the cost of your home water softener system is going to vary depending on the size of your home, the kind of water softener system, and the type of installation that you choose. If you are looking to install a residential water softener for your entire home, the entire project will typically cost between $1,000 and $2,800. Do-it-yourself projects can cost as low as $500 while large homes that require a smart filtration system can cost more than $6,000. When choosing a home water softener, you will need to decide what kind you need, if you want a whole house water softener system, and whether or not you plan to install the system yourself.

There are also options available for point-of-use water softener systems like showerhead and water heater water softeners. These water softeners typically cost under $100 and are easy to install. However, since they only service one location, you will likely need to purchase multiple different point-of-use water softeners for your home.

Which type of water softener is best?

“Which type of water softener is best?” is an impossible question to answer without knowing your individual needs. Picking out the best type of water softener is going to depend on a variety of different circumstances. Do you maintain a low sodium diet? Choosing a salt-based water softener is probably not going to be the best option for you because it introduces sodium into your drinking water. Do you live in a small apartment? In apartments, you may not have access to the water supply, so a showerhead water softener or a portable water softener may end up being the best option for you. Ultimately, whichever water softener you choose will depend a lot on what is best for your specific needs.

How long do water softeners last?

As with most of these questions, the answer is going to depend on your specific needs. If you choose a water softener that runs on electricity, you can expect it to last anywhere from 2-10 years, while water softeners that don’t rely on electricity often last between 15-20 years. No matter which water softener you choose, there will be required maintenance. For example, a salt-based water softener has weekly upkeep that involves regenerating your resin filter with salt, but a salt-free water softener typically only requires a replacement cartridge every 6-8 months.

Can you drink softened water?

Yes! Softened water is definitely safe to drink. If you have a salt-based water softener system, be sure to keep in mind that you are adding sodium to your drinking water, and for people with reverse osmosis water softener systems, it is important to add healthy minerals back into your water before drinking. Getting softer water doesn’t always mean that it is going to taste better, so you may want to research taste filter systems as well that can make your water taste and smell better after it has been turned into soft water.