Water softeners
Hard water carries dissolved calcium and magnesium. Over time those minerals can leave scale on fixtures, glass and the inside of water-using appliances. A water softener is meant to reduce that hardness for the water it treats.
How most softeners work
Most home softeners use ion exchange. Water passes through resin that holds onto hardness minerals. The unit periodically flushes the resin with a salt solution, called regeneration, so it can keep working.
What a softener does not do
- It is not a general drinking-water filter. It is not designed to remove chlorine taste or most other contaminants.
- It needs salt refills and occasional service.
- It uses some water during regeneration, and it needs a drain and an electrical outlet near the install location.
Questions to ask before you buy
- What is the hardness of my water, and how was it measured?
- What size unit fits my household and why?
- What is included in the installed price, and what would count as extra work?
- What is the ongoing salt and service cost?
- Who do I call if there is a leak, and what does the warranty cover for labor?