Never ever compromise when it comes to water. The quality of water you and your family use matter a lot because it greatly affects your health and home. Most municipal or city water is treated but it gets contaminated before it gets to your tap. The same applies to most water sources. To get clean water, you need to take immediate action such as water testing. Doing so helps you know if there are contaminants present in water. You also need to treat water by either using a water distiller or water filter. These two-steps eliminate most contaminants; however, you may still struggle with water hardness. Thus, the need for a water softener.
Water hardness results from a high level of minerals present, such as calcium and magnesium. Water hardness causes scale build-up in faucets, appliances, and pipes. It also produces white stains on clothes after laundry. Hard water also stains your sinks and dishes. It results in rust, corrosion, and detergent inefficiency. All these problems affect your household activities and hence the need to invest in a water softener. Below is a comprehensive review of the best water softeners in the market.
Before we get into the review, here are the benefits of using a water softener.
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- Softening the water will remove stains in your clothes post-laundry. You will also experience spots-free dishes and sinks.
- Soft water causes detergents to form foam quickly, thereby allowing you to clean efficiently. Hard water does not create foam. Plus, water softeners reduce the use of detergents.
- Water softeners reduce lime-scale in your pipes and appliances resulting to easy pipes maintenance and prolonged lifespan of your appliances.
- Softened water protects your skin from dryness and itchiness, thereby making it feel smooth.
- Also, water softener reduces corrosion and rust.
Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener
The Whirlpool brand has been providing high-quality water softening solutions since 1911. Their water softener technology is aimed at providing innovative solutions to homeowners. The Whirlpool WHES40E is certified by the NSF to reduce water hardness symptoms that cause problems to your health, home appliances, and fixtures. It is suitable for homes of 1-6+ people and is designed to remove up to 10ppm of clear water (ferrous) iron.
It comes with an easy Do-It-Yourself installation kit. Step-by-step instructions are provided to help you with the installation. Plus, it only takes a few minutes. All it needs are connectors for your plumbing, tubing, a drain, as well as access to a 110V electrical outlet. The DIY technique helps you save money by cutting the cost of service.
Using Whirlpool softener is an efficient and effective way of softening your water. Soft water helps replenish your skin, making it smooth and soft. It also helps reduce scale build-up in your faucets, water pipes, and showerheads. This water softener also increases the lifespan of your home appliances and fixtures by reducing corrosion, rusting, and stain formation. The Whirlpool water softener automatically calculates how much salt and water is required. Essentially, it only uses what is necessary. Improve and enjoy water quality with this water softener.
Pros
- Removes up to 10ppm water iron
- Suitable for households of 6+ people
- Easy DIY-installation
- Solves all problems associated with water hardness
- Certified by the NSF
- 1-year manufacturer’s parts and labor, 10-year limited on tanks, and 3-year limited electronics warranty
Cons
- Uses salt.
Pentair WS48-56sxt10 Fleck Water Softener
The Pentair WS48 is a great water softener that comes with instructions found on a USB drive. A lubricant and sanitizer pack are also included. An advantage of buying this water softener is it comes with a hardness test strip to test water hardness level (doing so helps you know how to set the softener). Water drinking bottles are also included as a gift. It is easy to install thanks to the AFW install kit.
It is equipped with a 10% Cross-linked resin upgrade allowing it to last longer. It is designed to remove magnesium and calcium ions that cause hard water. Elimination of these ions helps reduce scale build-up in your water pipes and showerheads. It also increases their lifespan and eases your worry with regards to their maintenance and replacement. The Pentair utilizes meter-based regeneration. Water usage is measured and the system only regenerates when it needs to.
The Fleck water softener uses the SXT controller – the newest controller from Fleck. It is built on 5600 valves. Other great features include a backlit LCD display, 48-hour internal power backup, touchpad controls, and a user-friendly interface. A durable poly-glass mineral tank is included as well as a standard square black brine tank that can hold about 250lbs of salt. There is a safety float to prevent overfilling, and the overflow drain serves as an additional backup to avoid water mess.
Pros
- Easy DIY installation
- Detailed instructions
- Five-year warranty on valve
- It’s a reliable and durable water treatment system
- A hardness test strip addition
- Ten-year warranty on tanks
Cons
- Uses salts.
- Requires skills in plumbing
Tier1 48,000 Grain water Softener
The Tier1 water softener is designed with the consumer’s need in mind. It solves problems associated with hard water, such as dry and itchy skin, scale build-up and stained dishes/sinks/laundry. It has quick-connect fittings on the drain line and brine line. It also includes a power code to ensure smooth and fast installation. The system is installed at the “Point of Entry,” ensuring that every drop of water that goes through your pipes is softened. Calcium and magnesium ions – the culprit that causes hard water – are removed.
The system is comprised of a brine tank and a mineral tank. The mineral tank has small polystyrene beads that are negatively charged to attract the positively charged magnesium and calcium ions. As water passes through. The ions are separated from the water. The brine tank uses sodium to create a brine solution. The brine solution works together with polystyrene beads to flush out the calcium and magnesium ions from the water.
The system comes with an LCD display that shows useful information. It also features a digital meter control valve that is easy to operate. It has a smart design—the precision turbine meter is incorporated in the system bypass valve saving much floor space. It’s energy-efficient and enhances detergent effectiveness thus producing shiny dishes, sinks, laundry, and even smooth skin. Softened water also protects your appliances and fixtures.
Pros
- US-based technical support
- Unique design that saves space
- Has an LCD monitor to show the required information perfectly
- Easy installation
- Prolongs appliances and fixtures lifespan
Cons
- Uses water softener salt
Fleck 5600SXT 48,000 Grain Water Softener
The Fleck 5600SXT water softener is a whole house water softener and is made in the USA. It eliminates hard water that causes soap inefficiency and scale build-up thanks to its high efficiency digital “on-demand” control valve. The product is equipped with a 1.5cuft high capacity resin with a long lifespan. The system eliminates hard water using an ion-exchange process that removes magnesium and calcium – ions that cause water hardness.
The system utilizes meter-based regeneration for efficient water softening. It measures the water used and only restores it when there is a need for more. The product features a backlit LCD display, touchpad controls, and a 48-hour internal backup. It also includes a safety float that prevents water wastage.
The high capacity 8% cross-linked resin ensures enough water is stored for softening purposes. The 5600 valves are tested to run continuously up to 27 years, and they make sure that water flow pressure is stable throughout.
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Backlit LCD display
- Easy installation
- Safety float to reduce water wastage
- 1-inch MNPT thread for a comfortable connection
- Digital meter control
Cons
- The instructions are not clear
- The product is heavy and bulky
Conclusion
The elimination of hard water helps extend the lifespan of home appliances and fixtures. Its removal ensures water sinks are shiny, dishes are sparkly, and clothes are bright after laundry. You don’t have to struggle with water hardness anymore when there is a solution. Improve the quality of your water by choosing the right water softener system for your home. With so many brands to choose from, the above information comes at the right time to serve as your guide. Make sure that the water softener you buy will satisfy your family’s needs.