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Choosing a Water Softener

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Water softeners come in many different shapes and sizes. It's important to first inventory your water softening needs before you choose the one that is right for you. The size of a water softener is rated by the number of grains of hardness is can handle between regenerations. A small water softener handles between 12,000 and 16,000 grains. A medium water softener handles between 20,000 and 40,000 grains. A large-capacity water softener can handle 40,000 grains or more. To determine the size of water softener you need, multiply the number of people in your family by 75. If you have a family of five, then the average number of gallons you use a day is 375. Multiply this number by 10 to determine how many grains of hardness will be removed each day. In this case, the number would be 3750. Compare this number to the regeneration cycle of each unit and see how frequently regeneration will need to occur. Ideally, a unit should be able to go three days between regeneration and should be able to handle times when you have larger than normal water needs, such as when you have guests.

Once you have determined the size of water softener that you need, you need to decide what type you want to get. The first thing to consider is the controls. Find out what controls the regeneration cycle and how much water is used for recharging. There are two different methods of controlling the system. The first is timer controls. These systems operate on a clock or an electronic timer and recharge the unit at a specific time each day. The downside of this is that the time may fall short if you have unusually large water usage on any given day, or the unit could recharge before it is actually necessary, which wastes water and salt. The second type of control is DIR controls, or demand-initiated regeneration. This type control senses when the system needs to be recharged, either electronically or with a meter. This type of control system saves on water and salt and accounts for the times when you will have above average water usage. Another thing to consider is the services that the water softener company provides. Some companies will regularly change out exhausted units with charged units. If you have a large family or live in an area where the water is extremely hard, more than 10 GPG, you may want to consider a dual-tank softener. When a softener is recharging, it disconnects from the water system. With a dual-tank system, one tank is regenerating while the other is in use, so you never run out of soft water.

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