The Right Size Is Important When Installing A Water Softener

If you live in an area that has hard water, you can improve your household’s water quality by installing a water softener.

There are various water softening units available, so it’s a good idea to research the different types of units before making your selection.

When installing a water softener, there are a few things to consider before choosing the type of water softener you are going to install.

The size of your family is one of the foremost considerations, of course, because you need be sure that you’re installing a water softener that has the capacity to handle the water usage of your household. Too small a water softener will not be capable of keeping up with the water usage and you will end up running out of water, while too large a water softener can cost you money unnecessarily.

Larger capacity units require more salt, meaning that you have to buy more salt to fill the tank each time it needs to be regenerated. Another thing that might influence your decision as to which water softener to buy is the type of home it is to be installed in.

A seasonal home such as a summer cottage needs to have a water softener that can operate for long periods of time unattended, so it’s best to choose a unit that is fully automated. Winter storms can knock out power to unattended cottages, so it’s also important to have a unit that has a battery backup to maintain the unit’s settings during a power outage.

Installation of a water softener is usually done by a qualified professional because it needs to be plumbed into the household water supply and often wired directly into its own circuit. The initial setup of the machine should also be done by a professional to make sure the settings are adjusted correctly. The water should be tested for hardness first, so the water softener can be adjusted to properly soften the water.

Not all water is alike; some water supplies are harder than others and require more aggressive softening measures. Water hardness can fluctuate at times so it should be tested periodically to ensure that the water softener is performing its job satisfactorily.

Usually, the person who is installing your water softener can explain about water testing and advise you on how to do it and how often to do it. Routine maintenance such as regenerating the salt supply or testing the water supply and adjusting the water softener’s settings accordingly can be done by the homeowner once he or she learns how to do it.

Installing a water softener is a wise move when you live in area that has a hard water supply. It extends the life of household appliances like the washing machine, dishwasher, coffee machine and hot water heater. Mineral scale can clog the inner workings of these machines and coat the element of the water heater, meaning that it must work even harder to keep the water hot. The bottom line is that a water softener can save you money!