Hard water or water with excess minerals can cause problems with your plumbing, appliances and fixtures. Water softeners takes out the calcium and magnesium ions and replaces them with sodium ions, making the water “soft” and easier on your plumbing and leaving less residue on dishes and your skin. There are many different factors to consider when buying a new water softener. Here are a few factors to keep in mind:
- Water consumption. You need a water softener that will meet your water consumption needs. Average use per person in U.S. homes is under 100 gallons per day. Your home consumption will depend on the size of your family and your typical consumption.
- Automatic or on demand. Water softeners can be automatic or on demand. Automatic softeners are timed and soften the same amount of water at the same time each day. On demand types will soften as needed, which is good for homes where water consumption fluctuates. Although many people prefer the on demand option for ease and efficiency, they generally will be a larger initial investment than an automatic water softener.
- Repair and maintenance. It is important to know what your new water softener will need for ongoing maintenance and ensure that your local plumber will be able to handle any repairs needed on the brand and model you choose. Ease in keeping your water softener clean and maintained is important if you want to avoid service calls to your plumber.
Your local plumber can help you determine the best size and type of water softener that will meet your needs. Make sure to discuss the pros and cons of the different types and what will best fit your lifestyle.
Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA
(703) 435-4441
