Hard water, which is supplied to most American households, comprises minerals like magnesium and calcium. Hard water has its cons as it dries out the skin, causes skin rashes, and the minerals in it build up in appliances, faucets, and pipes.
Using a water softener can help prevent these problems as it eliminates the naturally-occurring elements from hard water. Here are some tips to choose the right water softener.
Choose a Water Softener Size
The first step is to decide the size of the water softener you will use. This depends on your household’s needs. While an average person uses 80-100 gallons of water per day, your household may utilize more or less than this. The consumption is also affected if you wash extra clothes, have guests, or family members who take long showers.
To figure out the size of the water softener you require, multiply your household’s total estimated use per day by the hardness grains in your water. You can find out the number of grains (or the hardness of water) by going through water reports available with your municipal provider, or by using a hard water testing kit and testing your water source.
A majority of households consisting of 4 members utilize a 33,000-grain water softener.
Consider Water Softener Regeneration
Water softeners contain a resin bed which diverts minerals from your water supply by trapping them. The resin beads get coated with minerals and need to be regenerated with the help of your water supply and a water softener salt. The regeneration process requires approximately 90 minutes and water enough for a load of laundry. You could set a reminder on your calendar to check the salt levels manually or purchase a water softener that tells you when it needs more salt.
Depending on your family’s use, your water softener can be programmed to regenerate at night or any other time when water isn’t being utilized. If you wish to have soft water in the reserve while the water softener is being regenerated, consider buying a dual-tank water softener.
Connect the Softener to One Water Supply Source
You could connect your water softener to only the hot water supply and not the cold water supply. This helps prevent traces of salt, resulting from the softening process, from entering the water used for cooking and drinking.