Non Salt Options
There are a lot of so called “softener alternatives” available that purport to soften water without the use of salt or potassium. They come in a variety of similar formats, including magnets, electromagnets, catalytic systems, and tanks with and without electric control valves for back flushing. Regardless of the manufacturer’s claims, these systems DO NOT soften the water. We have had to come back dozens of times to add a real softener to locations that bought the alternatives, only to be disappointed with the results. Numerous brands, water conditions and locations have all had poor results.
The truth is, not a single alternative product can be tested to show soft water after passing through their equipment. If water enters at 10 grains of hardness, it will exit the unit at 10 grains of hardness. The Water Quality Association asked the alternative industry years ago to come up with a scientific method to prove their technologies actually work. Seven years later, there are still no scientific standards in place.
Since we have sold alternative softener products for years however, here’s what we find to be true based on our own hands on experience:
- The alternatives do seem to not only prevent scale build-up in plumbing, hot water heaters, and water using appliances, but also remove existing scale build-up.
- Even though water spotting will still show up on shower doors, fixtures, glasses and tile, the water spots clean up easier that hard water spots.
- The water won’t measure soft, but it does feel better in the shower than hard water.
- The water seems to have a better, smoother taste than regular hard water.
- Shower heads, faucets and aerators will still have crusty white build-up, but insides of the pipes will not have any build up. The pipes actually get cleaned out by these devices.
- The alternatives suspend the calcium in the water, so it won’t stick to the insides of piping. The calcium then passes back into the sewer or septic system without causing the typical hard water damage
- There is not salt to add, no waste water to dispose of, and little or no maintenance involved.
These devices are better than nothing at all treating your water, but if you’re used to softened water, they’ll be a disappointment. Hard water is 0 on a ten scale, soft water is a 10. The alternatives are a 5 or 6.
If you just need plumbing protection, don’t like softeners, or want to protect outdoor sprinklers and drip irrigation from hard water, then our Hard Water Wizard will work very well for you.
If you want plumbing protection, AND all the esthetic benefits of soft water, then chose one of our softeners. Softeners will physically remove the calcium, rather than just suspend the calcium.
