Water softener which magazine

You're not alone, around 15 million homes in the UK have hard water and according to British Water the average family, living in these areas, will use water containing a staggering 70kg of scale every year.

Over time, this scale chalk and lime deposits will not only ruin the appearance of fittings but can cause damage to central heating systems and appliances resulting in costly repairs. They are quite expensive but worth the investment as softened water does offer some significant benefits. Water softeners work by removing the minerals calcium and magnesium that cause the hardness, the process is called ion-exchange.

Block salt softeners are the most convenient and can usually be fitted under the kitchen sink, although a softener will take up about half a cupboard space. Alternatively they can be put in a utility room or garage and once installed the only running cost is buying the salt. Consider also your total overall water consumption. The less softened water you use, the less salt your household sends into the environment.

Implementing basic water conservation best practices like installing low flow fixtures and fixing leaks promptly can cut down dramatically on the amount of salt you end up going through. Water softener salt can be expensive, so reducing your consumption is a sound financial choice as well as better for the environment. You can add concentrated sea mineral drops to properly balance and remineralize your drinking water.

If you are looking for a new hard water solution, be aware that there are a number of alternatives on the market. Some of these include:. Anti-scale Magnetic Treatment — This type of system works by passing the water through a magnetic field to reduce the effects of hard water.

This idea is still controversial, and studies reveal mixed results. However, there have been major advances in magnet technology in the past few decades, including the increased availability of extremely powerful rare earth magnets originating from China. So you may want to check into this technology for yourself, especially if you have limited space.

The technology has apparently been used successfully by households and businesses in many regions of North America. Instead, it passes the water through a medium which contains catalysts which cause the minerals to precipitate into tiny particles too tiny to notice. Now they are no longer dissolved, but in suspension, which is chemically very different. Eventually they will redissolve but typically not for days.

As with any new technology, the jury is out on many water softening alternatives. Eventually one or more may win out and become the conventional technology of the day. Until then, it pays to do your homework before investing. However, one thing does seem clear: we can no longer take the way we treat our water for granted. What we do matters, and it is up to us to take responsible action towards protecting the best interests of the whole as well as our own needs. It comes with a 6-month money-back guarantee and year warranty.

All features make these water softeners very popular on the market. Designed for hard water area households, the W2B gets seamlessly integrated into your already existing system. The device can handle water of up to PPM hardness. Promising flow rates of litres a day, which comes down to litres per minute at 2. The capacity will make it highly suitable for and need of a mid-sized family. Also, looking at the water filtration side, the water softener allows the use of block, crystal or tablet salts for filtering.

However, for the sake of efficiency, it is advised to use salt only during the regeneration process. However, before buying consider the fact that the device can work only in the pressure range of 1. If you prefer a salt-free water softener, the water softener alternative by AquaHouse is a good option. The unique salt-free systems do not replace, remove or put in any minerals or chemicals to softened water.

Rather, it uses a unique process called Template Assisted Crystallisation. This process converts the minerals that make water hard into harmless microscopic crystals. This scale-preventing filter has been tested and found to be Unlike conventional salt-based water filters that require adding softener salt few times per year, this unit requires calcium and magnesium filter replacement after about 3 years.

It also comes with a 3-year guarantee on main parts and fixings for an excellent experience. If you want to effectively get rid of the chalky build up on tapworks, sinks and shower in your house, you need to go for the Eddy Electronic Water Descaler. It is a 5-watt unit which creates intricate electromagnetic waves round the pipe supplying your water.

This wave is applied with the aid of two coils guaranteeing perfect purification of your water. In fact, the price is lower than the typical salt based systems and it will certainly give you the most satisfactory result over time.

It is also environmentally-friendly as well as economical, making it an ideal product for almost every home. It can be connected to both plastic and metal pipes so that the most satisfactory flow rate can be achieved. You will love its accompanying cables which can work with pipes with a diameter of up to 28 millimetres.

Above all, it is easy as well as inexpensive to maintain giving you a long term advantage. This softener is designed to be in harmony with the majority of UK heat systems but you should install it on cold water supply. This machine does affect your water pressure as the usual pressure for washing dishes, taking baths and showers will be maintained. By using two tanks, this system is able to alternate between the two, which means that one can work while the other regenerates and vice versa, creating a steady flow of water without interruption and prolonging the life of both.

This softener is able to process extremely mineral-dense water, and is particularly well suited to high iron levels. You should note that this is a salt-based system, so it may impart a slight aftertaste and that signature soapy feel. Type keyword s to search.

By Gabrielle Hondorp. Eddy Electronic Water Descaler. For Well Water. For Large Families. Aquasana Salt-Free Water Conditioner. Related Story. Pelican Water homedepot. No salty taste No electricity needed. Eddy amazon.