Soft Water Conditioner Buying Tips

Approximately 85 percent of American homes have hard water, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. To combat this problem, many families invest in a soft water conditioner, a device that makes hard water soft through a process called ion exchange. Calcium and magnesium ions – the minerals responsible for water hardness – are “exchanged” for ions of sodium. The resulting soft water improves the sudsing action of soaps, preserves the flow rate of showerheads, prevents water stains from showing up on dishes, and more. Independent studies have proven what homeowners across the United States have long known: soft water is better than hard.

When shopping for a soft water conditioner for your home, there are a few things that you will want to keep in mind. First, be sure to select one with the right capacity. The physical size of the unit is less important than its ability to remove the hardness minerals from your water. Have your water professionally tested for hardness to see what capacity is necessary. Second, you’ll need to decide whether you want to purchase a manual, timer-operated unit or one that uses demand-initiated regeneration (DIR). If your family is large, a DIR water conditioner is probably the better option. A DIR system will regenerate itself in response to actual water usage, guaranteeing that your family will always have access to soft water even during periods of peak demand. Third, only buy a water conditioner that is third-party certified, such as by NSF International. NSF International is an independent, unbiased product-testing organization. Be sure to look for the NSF certification mark when buying a soft water conditioner.

For more information about water softeners and what to look for in a soft water conditioner when buying one, contact RainSoft. Since 1953, we have been developing the finest residential water treatment products available anywhere in the world. All of the water conditioners that we manufacture are NSF certified and backed by an industry-leading Limited Lifetime Warranty.