Tips for Selecting
a Water Softener System
Like any important item you would purchase for your home, you
must comparison shop and research before buying a water softener.
It is important that you find a reputable dealer before purchasing a
water softener. By no means should you rely on a "door-to-door
salesman" for such a purchase.
When shopping for a water softener, you need to consider the size,
as well as the type of controls that the water softener contains.
The most favorable size, measured in grains of hardness, will depend
upon the amount of water you and your family utilize, as well as the
hardness of your water. A small core will not benefit you if your
water is very hard because the unit will need to be regenerated too
often to be effective.
The best type of water softener is one that has demand initiated
controls, which are programmed to meet the specific needs of your
water hardness. The unit will automatically regenerate when the
programmed amount of water is used.
Another important factor of a water softener is its cost. A normal
household water softener typically costs about $1,000 to $1,800, and
the operating expenses are approximately $2 to $8 per month if
sodium is used, and $3 to $15 if potassium is used. If installation
fees are included with the tank, make sure that there are no
additional charges for replenishing swimming pools, avoiding lawn
and garden water systems, etc. You also must consider the cost of
recharging the system.
You should not make a decision as to which water softener to
purchase until you have considered the cost of both the water
softener itself and the installation of that unit. Water softening
systems designated "water treatment" systems may merely be trumped
up softeners.
The warranty is another important feature of the water softener. You
need to be sure that you understand the warranty and that it is
dependable as well. A reliable warranty will not guarantee too
little time, nor will it guarantee an unreasonable amount of time.
For example be leery of a warranty that ensures your unit will "last
a lifetime" as well as the warranty that is valid for merely one
year. A typical warranty that could be rendered "dependable" is one
that will be valid for approximately 10 years on the tank and five
years for the control valves.
Ask dealers for names of customers so that you can verify the
dependability of the water softening system, as well as the service
of it. Also ask friends for their experiences with water softening
systems.
When shopping for your water softening system, look for the seal
indicating "Water Quality Association (WQA), National Sanitation
Foundation (NSF) or Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL). Any of
these seals will ensure you that the equipment was independently
tested and meets performance standards of that particular industry.
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