Very very simply – a water softener processes hard water to turn it into soft water. Water comes into the softener and enters the resin or media tank where it goes through a simple process that removes the calcium, magnesium carbonate and manganese from the water, leaving the water soft which then exits to be used around a property.
How much will a water softener cost me?
Like any household appliance, you will find a wide variation of prices across the board. A general rule is that the more you pay, the better quality the product and the greater number of features. Our softeners range from smaller entry level units at around £380 up to £1200 for a softener for a larger residential property.
It is possible to buy very cheap water softeners but these are usually imports with a low build quality and ones that will only offer a short life. By investing in a quality water softener, you will be investing in your home and your family.
How much does it cost to run a water softener?
Softeners are very economical to run. They need a small amount of salt (either tablet or block, with tablet salt being much more economical to purchase) and a small amount of water to complete the regeneration cycle. Non electric models do not need any power supply. Electric models use a small 12v transformer which turns the cam head when the softener regenerates.
Another way of looking at this question would be to ask how much it would cost me NOT to have a water softener!
How long do water softeners last?
All softeners have a specific life. Again, the less expensive the softeners will only have a 2 year warranty – after this period of time, you will be looking at replacing certain parts or even starting again with a new softener. Like most purchases, it is far better to do a bit of research, find the best match in terms of your needs against the attributes of the softener and then make your purchase. A quality softener will last for at least 10 years. Mid price range softeners will last anything between 5 and 8 years. It will also be dependent on the amount of water that flows through the machine – the amount of water the household is using and the quality of the resin.
East Midlands Water Company top of the range water softeners come with a 10 year parts and labour warranty. That’s 10 years of guaranteed peace of mind. We are so confident that our top of the range softener will last for a minimum of 10 years, we guarantee that it will!
Which is the best softener for your home?
Each softener has its own attributes. What is suitable for a single person in a flat is not for a large family with a number of bathrooms, where you have lots of showering and lots of baths happening. Some softeners can be set up to regenerate in the middle of the night, when its less likely that people are bathing or running a washing machine. Others have ‘twin tanks’ and don’t need a power supply, relying on water pressure to operate. The best way to find out which softener is going to match your requirements, is to call us. Our experts in our softener department will lead you through the many variables that you should consider. Another reason not to buy a softener without assistance.
Is it safe to drink water from a water softener? I have heard that softeners put salt in your water.
This is an easy mistake to make. Softeners need salt to clean the resin or media but you shouldn’t be tasting salt in your water. The resin is charged with sodium ions, so its not salt in your water, but sodium ions. If you choose a softener that has food grade resin, it is perfectly okay to drink the water that has been through the softener. Please bear in mind that not all softeners have food grade resin. The rule of thumb is the cheaper the softener, the less likely it is to have food grade resin as this is an expensive element of the water softener