It’s tough having hard water, which is why people begin to look into salt-free water softeners as a solution. However, not a lot of people actually know about how salt-free water softeners work, and if they’re really worth it. Well, you’ll be surprised to know with the various benefits and features these products have to offer!
So, what exactly are salt-free water softeners and how effective are they for your home? Read on as I answer the question about salt-free water softeners: are they actually effective? Using 2020 research, I’ll show you everything you need to know about these kinds of water softeners!
What Are Salt-Free Water Softeners and How Do They Work?
So, before anything else, what are salt-free water softeners anyway? Let’s first look into water softeners and their purpose.
Water softeners work by softening hard water through removing calcium and magnesium, hard minerals which make it difficult to wash yourself, your clothes, and to use your water in general. These calcium and mineral deposits would leave stains on whatever you wash, even leaving messy scum! Through softening this water, you’ll be able to enjoy your baths and wash clothes or dishes better.
Salt-free water softeners do this, but without the polymer resin bed the usual water softener has. With this type of softener, the minerals remain in the water, but their forms change so it doesn’t adhere to your surface. So, they don’t actually soften water and remove the hard minerals which cause hard water, but they are water conditioners, changing these minerals’ forms to ensure that it won’t affect the quality of your washes.
It does this through processing water by the Template Assisted Crystallization, which converts hard minerals to hardness crystals, so it won’t bind to surfaces. And again, this is more of conditioning than actual water softening, though the results are similar.
Salt-Free Water Softeners: Are They Actually Effective? 2020 Research
So, salt-free water softeners are actually conditioners which convert hard minerals, not actually removing them from your water. Does this still make this kind of softener still effective for your household and the water? The answer is yes, but there are a few factors to look into when expecting positive results.
Take note that while it IS effective in conditioning water and keeping your water safe to use, it may not be effective for areas that have very hard water. It isn’t as effective as the conventional water softener but still is better than no softener at all. Plus, it still promotes the benefits of using “soft” water without the sodium, making it healthy for those who shouldn’t consume or use water containing sodium.
There are 0% salt and 0% chemicals used with a salt-free water softener, also preventing scale to almost 100%! Furthermore, you’re able to have the high water flow of up to 30 gallons per minute, which is already conditioned and ready to use. I’ll be getting into the specific benefits in the next section.
So, if you’re more focused on getting softened water with better health benefits for the sodium-sensitive, then the salt-free water softener is best for you. But if your area has very hard water (exceeding over 75 grains per gallon), then you might require the conventional water softener to truly get the soft water you need.
Benefits of Using Salt-Free Water Softeners
Salt-free water softeners are effective, depending on the household and area you live in. So, what exactly does it have to offer, though? Here are the good advantages to take note of:
Sodium and Chemical Free
The reason why people lean towards salt-free water softeners is thanks to its sodium and chemical-free components which make it a healthier option. No more worries about consuming too much sodium for your lifestyle, or any other chemicals that meet water during the softening process.
Smaller Space Required
Compared to salt-based water softeners, salt-free systems take up less space and are easier to install. These systems are more compact and have the ability to fit anywhere for installation, may it be indoors or outdoors. Plus, they’re very easy to set up.
Minerals Are Still Beneficial Without the Hardness
We all need vitamins and minerals for better health, with hard minerals like calcium and magnesium still being advantageous for our bodies. Because salt-free systems don’t remove these, you’re able to consume these healthy minerals and reap the benefits they have to offer.
Cost-Effective In The Long-Term
Salt-based water softeners require electricity, more salt, and other chemicals. Because of this, it’s difficult to maintain and you have to spend a lot in the long run. Salt-free water softeners need no salt or electricity, costing less for operation and making these systems easier to maintain.
Enjoy The Effects of Soft Water
While salt-free water softeners actually condition water (not soften!), they still provide similar results to enjoy quality water. Your appliances last longer, you get to wash clothes and dishes without the risk of scale or stains and wash with less scum!
Save the Environment
Did you know that the use of sodium and salt would discharge into the ground, affecting the ecosystem and growth? With salt-free softeners, it utilizes less water and no discharge at all, making it a good choice for those who live the greener lifestyle.
To learn more on salt-free water softeners and its benefits, check out this helpful video:
The Top Salt-Free Water Softeners
Now that you’re familiar with what you need to know about salt-water softeners, which should you invest in? If you’re interested in getting one for your home, here are the top five choices to choose from:
Salt-Based vs Salt-Free Water Softeners
We all know that the salt-based and salt-free water softeners aren’t the same, but what makes them different, exactly? Here are the following points to take note of between the salt-based and salt-free water softeners:
How They Soften Water
Salt-based water softeners soften water through an ion exchange with a polymer resin bed, which is what gives off the sodium particles to exchange the hard minerals in your water. Salt-free water softeners go through a different process without the use of salt or sodium, leaving the minerals in the water but removing its hardness effects.
Soften vs Condition
While salt-based water softeners truly soften water and leave no hard minerals behind, salt-free water softeners keep these minerals, only conditioning it to ensure that the minerals don’t stick to surfaces as you use and wash with it. This is best for those who want to leave these minerals in the water for health benefits, or to leave out sodium in their water!
Presence of Salt
This is the apparent difference between both softeners, as salt-based ones contain sodium as they soften water, while salt-free ones don’t contain any when conditioning it. It’s the reason why salt-free water softeners may be better for those who can’t consume or use sodium for health reasons, but still want the effects of soft water.
Wrapping It Up
While salt-free water softeners are extremely effective for many households, it might not be the best for some. If you have extremely hard water levels, then the salt-based softeners are the way to completely remove these hard minerals. However, if you need little to no traces of salt in your water, you can take advantages of these handy products. If you are looking for an effective system to buy for your home, I urge you to check out our water softener reviews to make an informed purchase.
I hope that this article answers your queries on salt-free water softeners: “are they actually effective?” with 2020 research! So, don’t wait any longer and look into getting a water softener for your household today.
If you have any questions or want to share your tips and experiences with salt-free water softeners, then comment below! Your thoughts are much appreciated.