{"id":4187,"date":"2018-09-08T17:26:39","date_gmt":"2018-09-08T16:26:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/water.ma\/salt-free-water-softeners-and-water-softeners-whats-the-difference\/"},"modified":"2018-09-08T17:26:39","modified_gmt":"2018-09-08T16:26:39","slug":"salt-free-water-softeners-and-water-softeners-whats-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/water.ma\/en\/salt-free-water-softeners-and-water-softeners-whats-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Salt-Free Water Softeners and Water Softeners \u2013 What’s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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QUESTION:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I have been researching systems till I am ready to slit my throat. So many inconsistencies on the web. I live in Temecula, CA.\u00a0 Our water is 184 mg per liter \/ 10.7 per gallon.<\/em><\/p>\n

The water flow in our house (10 years old) is terrible. I am ready to replace the hot water heater and all of the shower valves. Before I do I know I need a system. We have a 5 bed\/5 bath house but only 3 people live in it. I want a slightly over-sized system just so I have some peace of mind. Can you suggest a system?<\/em><\/p>\n

Also\u2026will your system do anything for the buildup that has already occurred? Is there anything I can do to repair the current buildup other than replace everything?<\/em> \u2014 Vic<\/p>\n

Answer:<\/h2>\n

Well, you don\u2019t have to slit your own throat, because there are a lot of companies out there willing to do that for you\u2026and take your money in the process.\u00a0 Beware of what you read on the internet and especially beware of companies who have one \u201cSuper Duper Product\u201d that is the solution to just about every water problem. There are some good products out there\u2026 but lots of \u201csnake oil.\u201d The internet is a wonderful source of information\u2026 and dis-information.<\/p>\n

There are essentially two ways to prevent and remove scale: (1) a water softener; and (2) a water conditioner. What are the differences? Well, there are plenty of differences, and they both do not do the same things\u2026 and then, there\u2019s the little matter of companies of calling their product a water softener, when in fact, it does not even soften the water. Why would they do that?\u00a0 It\u2019s very simple: they do it to trick you into buying their product.<\/strong> So, let\u2019s discuss just the facts.<\/p>\n

Water Softener<\/h2>\n

A \u201cwater softener\u201d according to the plain and simple understanding of the English Language and Wikipedia is \u201cthe removal of\u00a0calcium,\u00a0magnesium, and certain other metal\u00a0cations\u00a0in\u00a0hard water. The resulting soft water requires less\u00a0soap\u00a0for the same cleaning effort, as soap is not wasted mopping up calcium ions. Soft water also extends the lifetime of\u00a0plumbing\u00a0by reducing or eliminating\u00a0scale\u00a0build-up in pipes and fittings. Water softening is usually achieved using\u00a0ion-exchange resins<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, if you have soft water, you will experience certain benefits you WILL ABSOLUTELY NOT GET<\/strong> with a \u201cwater conditioner.\u201d\u00a0 Benefits like:<\/p>\n

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Professional Water Hardness Field Test Kit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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    Softer, cleaner skin and silky smooth hair;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n

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    Much less shampoo needed;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n

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    Dramatically reduced soap usage, by 50% or more;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n

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    Softer clothes, whiter whites and brighter colors;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n

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    All clothing, fabrics and linens last longer;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n

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    Cleaner, shiner, spot-free glasses, silverware, faucets, fixtures and anything water touches;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n

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    Extends the life of appliances, fixtures, water heaters and plumbing; and<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n

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    Saves money on water heating energy costs<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    A water softener is a specific type of device utilizing ion-exchange resins to \u201csoften\u201d water.\u00a0 Not only is it a specific type of device, but it\u2019s specific purpose is to soften water\u2026 and whether the water is soft or not is scientifically provable.\u00a0 Some companies claim that they have a device which softens the water without salt.\u00a0 I think they are hoping that you will not actually check and see if it really is soft. We sell a water hardness test kit<\/strong>.\u00a0 It is the same type of test kit that many labs and water treatment professionals use to precisely determine the water hardness level.<\/p>\n

    The Water Hardness Scale<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    \u00a0Soft<\/strong><\/td>\n<1.0<\/td>\n<17.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Slightly Hard<\/strong><\/td>\n1.0-3.5<\/td>\n17.1-60<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Moderately Hard<\/strong><\/td>\n3.5-7.0<\/td>\n60-120<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Hard<\/strong><\/td>\n7.0-10.5<\/td>\n120-180<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Very Hard<\/strong><\/td>\n>10.5<\/td>\n>180<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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    Water Hardness Test Strips<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    That test kit is less than $50 and you can verify whether the water is soft or not by a simple titration method that even a 5 year-old can do.\u00a0 This test kit is good for about 50 tests and the titration chemicals can then be replaced for a few dollars.<\/p>\n

    We also have hardness test strips<\/strong>, which come in a protective foil pack.\u00a0 You can buy a 5-pack for less than $5 to see if your water is hard or soft. You simply draw some water into a glass and then dip one of thse test strips into the water.\u00a0 Wait a few seconds and then match up the color.\u00a0 Again, even a 5 year-old can do it. Once you have soft water, you will be able to tell the difference immediately without a test, and if you forget to put salt in it, you will be rudely awakened to a hard water shower and spots on your dishes and fixtures. My wife has threatened me with bodily harm more than once when I let the softener run out of salt.<\/p>\n

    Salt-Free Conditioners<\/h2>\n

    Salt free \u201cconditioners\u201d are a much larger category because they do not soften the water by using ion-exchange.\u00a0 Oh, some companies call what they have a \u201csalt-free water softener\u201d but if you ask them \u201cIf I have the water tested by a laboratory, will it test \u201csoft<\/em>?\u201d\u00a0 The answer is no!\u00a0 If fact, recently a customer who bought what they said (and he believed) to be a salt-free \u201csoftener\u201d, called up the manufacturer and said that the water did not test soft.\u00a0 He was told \u201cWell, it doesn\u2019t ACTUALLY soften the water.\u201d Oh, so he bought a \u201cDoesn\u2019t Actually Soften The Water Softener.<\/em><\/strong>\u201d Would he have bought it if he knew it did not actually soften the water?<\/p>\n

    So, salt-free conditioners can embrace a lot of devices and technologies\u2026 some very good, some not so good, and some outright silly! Here is a partial list of some technologies that could be considered salf-free conditioners. I am going to give you my opinion of each technology, but I want you to remember one thing:\u00a0 US Water Systems is an independent family-owned and operated company and we are on the Cutting-Edge of technology\u2026 and have been for years. We stick with the latest technology that is scientifically proveable, dependable, scalable and economical. We have to utilize products that work, since we sell all over the world.<\/p>\n

    Type of Salt-Free Conditioners<\/h2>\n