Sunday, August 23, 2009

Using Less Salt In Water Softeners

By Franklin Johnson

The most common water softening system used in Utah is the salt based ion exchange system. It can reliably soften water but, as a drawback, adds a lot of salt to the water and requires serious maintenance to keep it working properly.

Some Utah water softener companies have found ways to improve this type of system and now get by with using less than 75% of the past salt required. With less salt being used the water is also safe for drinking and for use in the garden. Far fewer hair and skin care products will be necessary and less salt also means the life of appliances and plumbing will be lengthened.

The improved softeners work when salt is used as a positively charged ion within an exchange medium. As the free sodium ions are released into the water, the exchange medium is coated with calcium and magnesium. This process removes the calcium and magnesium from the water.

After a while the medium is coated with the bad particles and needs to be recharged by back flushing with a brine solution which replaces the calcium and magnesium with the salt ions. Utah water softener companies have improved this process with many refinements, so less salt is used. The cycling is also no longer an everyday event, so you have soft water 24 hours a day now.

When you are thinking of getting a water softening system, Utah water softener franchise owners will come to your home and test your water. They will give you a free water analysis and estimate on the best system for you.

There are different sizes of systems and different functions each can perform. These systems are non-electric with no resetting needed, and you can get one for a single sink or for the whole house. You can get information on line or from the franchise nearest you. You will want to compare quality, price and maintenance time and costs.

Types of water softening systems range from the ion exchange system described above to a completely salt-free softener. The latter technology removes scale and prevents it from forming or reattaching to pipes and water heaters. It is 100% environmentally friendly and easily dissolves calcium buildup.

Other methods are: 3) the reverse osmosis (ultra fine filtration) method. It involves ultra fine filters under pressure that force water molecules through, but keep contaminates behind to be swept down the drain. It strips water of its essential minerals but the filters can be expensive. 4) The magnetic water softener uses magnets to make carbonate salts precipitate into small particles rather than scale. This is not proven to be effective. Utah water softener providers can better explain all the possibilities in detail and help you decide.

About the Author:

No comments: