Do Salt-Free Water Softeners Work?
Saltless Water Softeners
Water softeners use an ion exchange process to remove both calcium and magnesium from the water. Softeners utilize a plastic polymer with a positive ionic charge that holds on to negatively charged calcium and magnesium ions in the water.
Several popular water filtration companies make salt-free water softeners. The idea of a salt-free way to soften water is appealing from a maintenance standpoint, but unfortunately, these systems do not work.
Salt-free water softeners do not soften water - they condition it. Saltless systems chemically transform the magnesium and calcium so they do not adhere to surfaces.
Because salt-free systems do not "capture" calcium and magnesium, there is no need for a regeneration cycle to clean the resin bed and flush the minerals.
Several popular water filtration companies make salt-free water softeners. The idea of a salt-free way to soften water is appealing from a maintenance standpoint, but unfortunately, these systems do not work.
Salt-free water softeners do not soften water - they condition it. Saltless systems chemically transform the magnesium and calcium so they do not adhere to surfaces.
Because salt-free systems do not "capture" calcium and magnesium, there is no need for a regeneration cycle to clean the resin bed and flush the minerals.
Disadvantages Salt-Free Water "Softeners"
Because the hard water minerals are not actually captured by salt-free water softener systems, there is no need for salt or a regeneration cycle to purge the minerals down the drain. Since the very definition of water softening requires that hard water minerals be REMOVED, and the salt-free process only CHANGES the minerals, allowing them to remain in the water, salt-free water softeners don't actually soften water – rather, they are for "water conditioning".
Penn State University laboratory tests found "no discernible change in water hardness" in salt-free softeners.
With a salt-free water softener, you'll still have hard water and the following problems:
Penn State University laboratory tests found "no discernible change in water hardness" in salt-free softeners.
With a salt-free water softener, you'll still have hard water and the following problems:
- Hard water spots on your glasses and dishes
- Soap-scum buildup up on shower doors
- Scale buildup on fixtures and water-using appliances
- 75% more soap, detergent and shampoo useage
- Water heating expenses 30% above the cost of heating soft water
True Water Softening
The only way to truly soften water is with an < a href = "https://www.waterbionics.com/whole-house-water-filtration/#section_9ufgT">ion-exchange process utilizing sodium chloride (or potassium chloride).
We have over 21 years of experience in the water industry. Mark Williams is a Class-3 Water Treatment Specialists through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and serves on the board of Texas Water Quality Association (TWQA) as a director. Water Bionics is also a member of the Water Quality Association (WQA).
Our main focus is treating the water coming into your home and creating the purest and best quality water you can get - just like it was intended to be by mother nature.
We offer discounts to military personnel, first responders, teachers and those in civil service.
We have over 21 years of experience in the water industry. Mark Williams is a Class-3 Water Treatment Specialists through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and serves on the board of Texas Water Quality Association (TWQA) as a director. Water Bionics is also a member of the Water Quality Association (WQA).
Our main focus is treating the water coming into your home and creating the purest and best quality water you can get - just like it was intended to be by mother nature.
We offer discounts to military personnel, first responders, teachers and those in civil service.
