Wednesday, August 31, 2011

What Is a Saltless Water Softener?

There are many questions you might have about saltless water softeners. This post has information on water softeners, including the no salt water softener, and how they work. It's important to know what problem you're solving when trying to find a solution so let's start off by discussing what hard water is and why it can be such an issue.

Water is considered "hard" if a large amount of magnesium and or calcium is dissolved in it. This condition causes several problems. The reaction of these unwanted chemicals in your water is actually the cause of unsightly soap scum. This same process also causes soap to be unable to properly lather. Insufficient lather is the number one contributor to not body odor but many skin ailments as well.

A WATER SOFTENER

As if that weren't bad enough hard water is also damaging not just the pipes within your home but also the heating elements found within so many modern appliances. Hot water heaters, coffee makers, even digital teapots can be coated with the precipitated calcium and magnesium. Buildup of this nature can lead to costly plumbing repairs in addition to the energy cost associated with inefficient water heating. The good news in that there are solutions, the simplest and most cost efficient of which is the salt free water softener. Although the results are the same these systems have many advantages over the traditional constant consumption salt systems.

A typical water softener operates on a very simple chemical process where the magnesium and sodium ions, which easily precipitate out of water, are replaced with sodium ions - which do not. Essentially you're left with slightly salty water which won't form the scale that damages piping and electrical heating elements. The less than stellar soap performance? It's also ameliorated by this salt switcheroo, but there is a dark side.

So it's important to perform your own due diligence and research this topic to he fullest.

What Is a Saltless Water Softener?

A WATER SOFTENER

The Electronic Water Softener System Explained

Many people are deciding to invest in water treatment systems for their home and office and with the health and money saving benefits they offer it is easy to see why. The two main types of water softener you have from which to choose are those which replace the lime scale in the water with sodium (salt), and electronic water softeners which hold the lime scale in suspension. A little time taken in deciding which water softener system is right for you will ensure that your choice will repay you with years of good service.

Hard water is created when rainwater passes through chalk or limestone rock. As it does so it absorbs mineral salts from the rock, principally calcium bicarbonate, which can later be deposited in our domestic water systems as lime scale.

A WATER SOFTENER

Those of us who live in hard water areas know the effect that the build up of scale can have on our taps and shower heads, in fact in any areas which our water supply comes into regular contact. In addition to being unpleasant to look at lime scale also reduces the efficiency of these items. However the damage done by lime scale build up is not just cosmetic. Over the years scale will have built up inside the pipes of your water supply and heating system, in more severe cases reducing the flow of water to not much more than a trickle, seriously affecting the ability of your heating system to cope with the rigors of the American winter. Heating elements in hot water tanks and washing machines can become seriously affected by scale build up, reducing their efficiency and ultimately leading to costly repairs or replacement.

Perhaps the worst affected domestic appliance is the combination or condensing boiler. These modern energy efficient boilers are quite complex and therefore much more expensive to replace or repair than the older systems and unfortunately can be easily affected by lime, to the extent that they must be fitted with their own electronic water softener by your plumber on installation in hard water areas if you do not already have water softeners in use.

Health-wise soft water can have many benefits. Skin and hair will feel naturally softer without the use of expensive moisturizers and conditioners. You will find that you need to use far less soap, shampoo and washing powder to get the same amount of lather, saving you money whilst at the same time reducing your impact on the environment. People who suffer from Eczema and Psoriasis benefit greatly from water softening systems, in fact several studies in Europe have suggested that their conditions can improve by on average 50% after switching from a hard water supply.

Traditionally people looking to introduce a water softener to their home have opted for salt based water filters. The brine tank is fitted into the water supply where it enters the property and as the water moves through the system the ions of calcium are replaced by sodium, or salt, ions. The unit is periodically recharged with sodium by flushing through with a brine solution. Although these are effective at removing the calcium from your water system they have a number of disadvantages. They are relatively expensive to buy, costing typically 0 to 0, with additional plumbing costs for installation. They are quite bulky and require maintenance and are unsuitable for people on a low sodium diet or for use in the preparation of baby feeds.

The new types of electronic water softener can have many advantages over an ion replacement system. Also known as an electronic water conditioner, these systems work by passing a very small electric current through the water supply as it enters the property. This causes tiny crystals to be formed, which the calcium attaches itself to instead of the pipe work, which are then removed with the waste water in the normal way. A popular development of this system is the ClearWave heavy-duty water softener. This system works by bombarding your water supply with a series of inaudible electromagnetic pulses. These increase the electromotive attraction of the water to calcium particles, allowing them to be held in suspension and not deposited as lime. Additionally the treated water supply cleans your system of previously deposited lime scale as it goes, in a short time removing all traces of lime scale. As this type of model is available at a price of around 0 including shipping, in several grain sizes to cater for most capacities, the advantages of such a system are clear. Factor in the ease of installation, merely wrap two wires around the water pipe and plug into your electrical system, maintenance free operation and lack of potentially harmful salt, it is very obvious why they are gaining in popularity.

The installation of electronic water softeners is one of the most cost effective ways that you can improve the health of both your family and property.

The Electronic Water Softener System Explained

A WATER SOFTENER

Soften Your Water - Improve the Quality by Installing a Water Softener and Make it Taste Better!

A water softener works by effectively reducing the calcium or magnesium ion concentration in hard water. These "hardness ions" causes different kinds of problems. Firstly, the calcium and magnesium ions react with soaps and some types of detergents, reducing their ability to lather properly and in the process forms an ugly precipitate - which is the familiar scum or "bathtub ring". The presence of "hardness ions" also inhibits the cleaning effect of laundry detergents which again can cause their effectiveness to be compromised.

However, there are also more serious consequences of hard water. These hardness compounds, in particular calcium and magnesium carbonate, tend to stick to the inside of pipes and heat exchanger surfaces. The result - a scale build-up that can restrict water flow in pipes. In boilers, the deposits act as thermal insulation that impedes the flow of heat into the water; this not only reduces heating efficiency, but allows the metal to overheat which, in a pressurized system, can lead to failure. The presence of ions in an electrolyte can also lead to galvanic corrosion, in which one metal will preferentially corrode when in contact with another type of metal. The use of water softeners can aggravate this and cause sacrificial anodes in hot water heaters to corrode more quickly.

A WATER SOFTENER

Conventional water-softening devices intended for household use depend on an ion-exchange resin in which "hardness" ions trade places with sodium ions that are electrostatically bound to the anionic functional groups of the polymeric resin. A class of minerals known as zeolites also exhibits ion-exchange properties; these minerals were widely used in earlier water softeners.

Water that is extracted from wells has a particular tendency to contain hardness materials, and often causes the common hard water stains and limescale scum that forms on glass, sinks, taps and even on cars all around the world. Therefore, a water softening device can be very useful to treat waters from these types of sources, especially since many people prefer the taste of soft water that does not contain these materials. Public water systems are also susceptible to hard water, although this is much less common. However, this really depends on the source of the raw water that is being treated as the journey the water takes has a big impact on its mineral content.

Although soft water is preferable in many cases for domestic and industry, very soft water can corrode the metal pipes in which it is carried. The result of this is that the water may contain elevated levels of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc. However, that is another story!

Soften Your Water - Improve the Quality by Installing a Water Softener and Make it Taste Better!

A WATER SOFTENER

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

The Benefits of Soft Water - Why You Need a Water Softener

Soft water versus hard water has many benefits. Like clean shiny silverware and glassware. No one like the spotty chalky hard water spots on their silverware, glasses or dishes.

Since shampoos, soaps and detergents do not lather well in hard water, naturally soft water or hard water made soft through a water softener restores the rich lathering cleaning ability and cuts down on the usage and costs of soaps and detergents by 75%. Also, one can return to natural chemical free healthy soaps and laundering agents. The harsh chemicals in todays soaps and detergents were invented to combat hard water and still have some lather. With soft water you will not need these chemical based cleaners.

A WATER SOFTENER

Hair and skin feels softer , cleaner and smoother. Detergents easily rinse out of soft water. Tests have been done taking laundry that had gone through a rinse cycle in hard water, taken these "rinsed" clothing out and putting them in clean soapless water, agitating them and watching soap still come out of the clothing. Soft water allows detergents to completely rinse out . Fabrics are also softer without hard minerals become trapped in them. Fabrics last longer and whites stay white without the dingy gray caused by hard water.

Soft water also does not leave chalk or orange rings around bathtubs and sinks. This saves time in house cleaning and embarrassment of having cleaned yet finding it difficult to remove all the hard water deposits. Soft water also preserves the life of all water using appliances such as coffee and ice makers, dishwashers, and clothers washers. Hard water wears appliances out quickly and requires more energy use as appliances do not work as well when they are corroded or clogged with mineral deposits. Savings on fuels costs and on properly working water heaters is another benefit too.

Let's look at average replacement of some of the basic appliance due to hard water corrosions; 0-water heater, faucet set, 0-0 washer/dryer set, and the entire plumbing system 00-00. The first water softeners were invented in 1912 before the advent of the modern washing machine as a basic household appliance that converts hard water into soft water which we all find desirable. It has continued to be a basic household appliance and is so appreciated by its owners that it is rare to see a water softerner sold 2nd hand, usally owners just taken them with them when they move. The benefits of a water softener are more than one would realize initially and usually involve a cost savings that more than pays for the softener in about 4-5 years and most softeners are expected to last at least 10 years, with many lasting much longer.

The Benefits of Soft Water - Why You Need a Water Softener

A WATER SOFTENER

Useful Information on Water Softening Systems

Before we think of anything else, it is important to understand what causes hardness in water. As water seeps through the water tables down the earth, it picks certain minerals and metals from the rocks. These minerals include the magnesium and calcium ions, which are insoluble in the water, making it hard. This means that the water does not lather easily with soap. Minerals in it easily clog water appliances, makes bathing a dreadful experience, due to the roughness, and dryness experienced afterwards. If these problems are weighing you down, water softening systems could ease them.

When you think of such a softening system, getting soft water in the end is what you really need. To reverse the effects of hard water in our homes, we need to use a system that can deliver the product that we need. The type of salt used in softening is very vital.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

• One may use Sodium chloride to soften water, but the sodium content left in the water is high hence, making it not the best option for people who would have a problem with their health, or those who do not use salt.

• Most experts recommend use of the potassium chloride types of water softening systems. Although they are more expensive to use than the sodium chloride, they pose less problems to your health, and are not hazardous to the surroundings.

• Other types of softening systems use the evaporation salt, which one gets from evaporating seawater. It is most soluble hence, the best to use in softening water. It mostly occurs in crystal form, and is more expensive than the rest.

• The magnetic type of softener is another type of water softener, which utilizes electromagnetic power to reverse the effect of salt in water. The system partly failed hence; its use is no longer favored, as it did not deliver what was required.

Now that we already know that some of the minerals and metals are harmful to our bodies, it is necessary to consider a softening system. It is good to ensure that it clears away as much of these substances from our water as possible. If we are to lead healthy and good lives, then the need to have clean and safe water surpasses all other things in life.

Before you decide on the type of softening system to use, it is important to consider the amount of money you have and wish to spend. Consider the size of your household, the preferences of the people you live with, and how effective the system is at delivering the best outcome

The information provided here could not be enough to help one make the best choice of the system that could work best. Thus, it is important to research and ask questions to experts about the water softening systems available in the market. This will help you to compare and contrast several systems before making that important decision to settle for one.

Useful Information on Water Softening Systems

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

The Functions and Benefits Water Softener Salt

Hard water causes an array of problems in home and industrial settings. Soap doesn't lather or rinse well, clothing, skin, and hair feel stiff or sticky after washing, and dishes appear dirty after having been run through the dishwasher. Worst of all, plumbing can become clogged when scale builds up. All of this is caused by minerals in the water. The most common minerals that cause water hardness are magnesium and calcium.

Hard water, water with a high mineral content, is softened by flushing the water through a tank that contains negatively charged plastic beads. Typically, these beads are bonded with a salt, whose components have a weaker hydrogen bond than that of calcium or magnesium. When hard water is run through the unit, the sodium ions change place on the beads with the ions of the harder mineral.

A WATER SOFTENER

Water softener salt consists of either sodium chloride or potassium chloride. The salt comes in several different forms. Which water softener salt is used depends on the type of water softener unit, household size and preference of the user. The use of sodium chloride raises the sodium content of the household water supply, however, only those with extreme sodium sensitivity or high blood pressure assume any health risk. It is also recommended that softened water not be used to water plants. Filtered or bottled water should be kept on hand for cooking, consumption, and the like. Potassium chloride is also an alternative choice, though it tends to be 3 to 4 times as expensive as sodium chloride.

There are three types of water softener salt obtained by mining or evaporation. Solar salt comes from evaporated seawater, is packaged as pellets or crystals and is more soluble than rock salt, which is mined. Use of rock salt makes it necessary to clean the water softener unit more often due to the calcium sulfate content. (Calcium sulfate is insoluble). The purest and most soluble of the three forms of water softener salt is evaporated salt. While it is the most expensive of the three forms, it is also the most convenient, because it leaves less sediment, which translates to less cleaning of the water softener. It is recommended that you replenish the salt about every two weeks and that you keep the salt level at about half.

When it comes to softening household water, the user is usually the best judge of which water softener to use and the type of salt to operate it with. When making your decision, be sure to consider how many people live in the house and how much water is used. When deciding on the type of salt to use, you may want to think about how easy the water softener is to access and to maintain.

The Functions and Benefits Water Softener Salt

A WATER SOFTENER

Monday, August 29, 2011

GE Water Purification Systems - GE Whole House Water Filters and GE Drinking Water Filter Review

GE appliances are well known for high quality GE water purification systems. You have different options if you are looking at a GE filtration system including whole house filters, bath and shower filters, drinking water filters and more, depending on your individual needs and preferences.

GE Water Filtration System

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

GE filter systems provide you with clear and clean water for laundry, washing dishes and showering as well as drinking. Filtering reduces sand, rust and sediment, meaning less buildup inside pipes, dishwashers, heaters and other fixtures. GE purification systems have remote magnetic reminder lights so you know when it is time to change the filter.

GE Whole House Water Filters

A GE whole house filter features a heavy duty household sediment filtration system, high flow plumbing connections, a push button pressure relief valve and a remote filter change reminder light. It can last for about three months before it needs to be changed.

You might think that a water filter for the whole house would take up a lot of space but the equipment measures only fourteen inches by eight, so even if you do not have a lot of space, there will be somewhere to install this. You should install this filter at the main inlet so it can reduce sand, rust and sediment. It is best to install this kind of filtration system on the main pipe between your heater and softener.

GE Drinking Water Filter

With GE purification systems, you can choose from single or dual stage carbon filtration, reverse osmosis, faucet mounted filtration or water pitcher filtration, depending on your budget.

Carbon filtration systems have a space-saving design and they reduce the contaminants such as mercury or lead. Faucet mounted filters install in minutes on almost any type of faucet. Water pitcher filter are designed to fit in your refrigerator door. The pitcher works quickly and it keeps for days afterwards in the refrigerator.

The GE water filtration system using reverse osmosis means that any contaminants or pollutants are separated from your drinking water via two carbon filters and a semi-permeable membrane. It can work on particles a hundred thousand times finer than a human hair and RO systems tend to be reliable and low maintenance.

GE Water Purification Systems - GE Whole House Water Filters and GE Drinking Water Filter Review

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Water Softener Reviews - Seeking Information on the Best Ones!

So you have finally made the decision to get rid of the scum and scale that you get with hard water or well water. You are going to need to have to compare softener systems before choosing one. There are many different manufacturers that promise they have the best ones, but this may not always hold true. You should do your research and shop around and look at reviews before deciding on the water softener system you are going to buy.

When looking at softener reviews, there are a few things to look for. Here are the key points to focus on.

A WATER SOFTENER

1. Be sure to always see what kind of control valve the water softener system has. A company with a long track record should make it. The control valve happens to be the most expensive part you will have to replace if it breaks as it is at the middle of the system. It can calculate your water usage and can tell you when it is time to regenerate the bed.

2. Another key point to remember when looking at water softener reviews is the regeneration. You have the option of choosing a system that can be set on a timer to regenerate the resin bed or it can be done on demand. Systems that are demand based are always more effective and is an overall better choice when you have multiple people in the house.

3. Be sure to see how easy the system is to put together and also how much the company will charge you to install it for you.

4. Make sure when looking at softener reviews, you check out the guarantees that the company offers its customers. Any water softener system that is good, should last you at least 10 years.

Water Softener Reviews - Seeking Information on the Best Ones!

A WATER SOFTENER

What Your Need To Know About Water Softening Systems Before You Buy

Water softening systems can reduce the calcium and magnesium content in your household plumbing. These and other elements cause water to become hard. Hardness can lead to various problems when limescale build up in your pipes and plumbing fixtures. Hard ions also does not interact well with soap in your washer, dishwasher and when you shower.

Typical home water softening appliances depend on an ion exchange resin wherein hard ions are replaced with sodium ions which soften liquid. Hard water causes a lot of problems with your plumbing and home appliances but can also be beneficial to your health by providing your body with magnesium and calcium and by reducing the solubility of toxic metals such as copper and lead.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Water softening methods usually rely on removing calcium and magnesium with the use of a solution or by replacing hard ions with sodium. By removing the hard ions, the liquid that runs through your household plumbing are unable to form limescale deposits that block your pipes and build up in your coffee makers and shower heaters.

You can also remove hard ions by distilling your water, but this proves to be way too expensive for household use. Softening systems can do this for you the cheap way. Sodium, the main and most common softening ingredient is readily available everywhere. You can find sodium resin and beads at a hardware store or at the supermarket.

Once your water is softened, your soap and detergent will dissolve easily in your dishwasher or laundry washer. You will get cleaner glassware and clothing. Even your bath soap and shampoo will lather better and you can feel cleaner after each bath. Home appliances that use water like a coffee maker of shower heater will last longer and work efficiently.

Water is softened in a water softening system by letting it pass through a bed of resin beads made from sodium or salt. Negative charged resins absorb metal ions which are replaced with soft ions that are released into the water. The positive ions found in sodium beads are also found in other elements like hydrogen and potassium.

Potassium should be used in households where people are on a salt restricted diet. There are also other resins that can be used with your water softening system that also absorb carbonate, sulphate and bi-carbonate ions. These kinds of resins release hydroxyl ions. These resin beads can be used in conjunction with sodium softening beads.

Before purchasing a water softener for your home, find out what you need from your machine. If you have people at home who have heart or kidney problems, then you should stick to potassium softeners and avoid using sodium. If you have metals in your water, then add other resins that can also get rid of these harmful metals.

What Your Need To Know About Water Softening Systems Before You Buy

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Install a Waterline For an Under The Counter Dishwasher

Installing a water line and drain pipe for an under the counter dishwasher is the same for a new dishwasher as it is for an old one. Once the location is chosen and the electrical works are connected, before the electricity is turned back on, install the water line and drain pipe for the dishwasher. Proper placement of water tubes and drain pipes will insure the dishwasher works correctly.

Be sure to have everything you need before starting to install the water line. The items needed are, a shutoff valve, the water line, a tape measure, a hand saw, a piece of copper tubing, a drain tube, a T-fitting, an adjustable wrench, and 4 compression fittings.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Before starting any work on the water line, be sure to shut off the water and empty the hot water line. Put a container under the hot water line and cut the line to install the T-fitting.

Place a compression fitting on each end. Tighten the fittings by hand, and then just a quarter turn with the adjustable wrench.

Attach the shutoff valve to the T-fitting. Secure the water line from the dishwasher to the shutoff valve.

Keep the container under the hot-water supply line. Turn the water back on. Look for leaks in all connections. Carefully tighten the connections a quarter turn at a time, if there is a leak. Once there are no leaks, time to move on to the drain hose.

Install the drain hose by measuring and cutting the drain tube to fit from the dishwasher to the drain. If attaching the drain hose through a garbage disposal, there will be space in the disposal to install a dishwasher drain pipe. If there is not a disposal, a waste T-fitting will need to be installed to attach to the drain.

Be sure to secure all connections before testing. Turn on the water and test again for leaks. If leaks are present, tighten the connections a little more, being careful not to over tighten. One quarter turn at a time, until the leak is stopped. Copper is a soft metal and will bend or break easily.

Once all connections are not leaking, finish installation of the dishwasher and run a test cycle. Check once again for any leaks. Once no leaks are found, installation is successful and finished. Place the dishwasher securely in its place.

If you have one, always refer to the installation manual for manufacturer specific installation.

Install a Waterline For an Under The Counter Dishwasher

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Water Softener Reviews - Cut Through The Clutter And Find The Right Water Softener Now

There are many great water softener reviews today to help you find the right softener for your home. People tend to get confused with so many water softeners around. A review on each one of them is definitely going to help, as these people are not going to remember what they read in the newspaper about one brand couple of months ago and every brand is going to claim their product as best on their websites.

A water softener is a necessity to obtain soft water greatly reduces the scaling of pipes, faucets, and bath fixtures, and reduces spotting of glasses, dishes and flatware. Soft water also helps detergent clean your clothes better, while making your clothes last longer too. But hasty decisions might cost you a fortune as there are sales people trying to get every penny out of you.

A WATER SOFTENER

There are numerous water softener vendors out there who sell both ionic exchange and magnetic water softening systems.

Culligan: This brand is favored particularly for its durability and purchase and rental offer. Culligan is also said to be good at removing iron from the water supply.

Brita: With over 40 years of experience this brand is considered to be reliable. Essentially used with Espresso machines and other coffee and tea making equipment.

Kenmore: Offers water softeners from the very basic to the heavy-duty models. The Kenmore systems also offer extras like the ability to filter out larger particles and added settings that make the units more efficient. Kenmore contends that the cost of everyday household upkeep can be cut in half with the use of a water softener system.

General Electric: GE offers water softeners small enough to accommodate a single-person household all the way up to a unit that will serve a household of four or more people. The GE water softeners include a technology called SmartSoft, which works through a low-capacity transformer to save energy, minimize salt loss, and gauge water softening needs.

Start with these 4 brands, and decide which is best for you. All 4 have years of experience in the industry, and have successfully helped thousands achieve their soft water needs. Shop around, read water softener reviews, and find the best for your home now.

Water Softener Reviews - Cut Through The Clutter And Find The Right Water Softener Now

A WATER SOFTENER

GE Water Softener - Would You Think About Buying?

After reading this you will see, why it is a good decision to buy GE water softener system instead of just filtering plain tap water. Firstly, this minimizes damages to home equipment including hot water heater, washing machine together with the dishwasher when clearing away minerals earlier than they could cause scale build up in your home appliances. As a consequence each of our appliances are likely to survive longer and work much easier.

Secondly GE's product will assists you to reduce the troubles relating to hard water, such as scale build up and skin and hair complaints. All GE water softener is not a worry to run, easy to put in, and even supported by leading names in home equipment, therefore you can be optimistic about the strength and integrity of your water softener. Some people add a softening product to baths, for the clothes and dishwashing machine to lessen scale buildup and remove unattractive stains.

A WATER SOFTENER

It's also possible to filter the water by running a water purification system or simply just a on tap water filter. Or you can go with a water softener product which could resolve this hard water problem, right after it goes into the home. A GE water softener is not hard to set up and needs minimal maintenance. Every GE water softener is sold with all that you should put in and use it, and that means you won't need to have a problem with searching for omitted accessories. The whole installation kit is really a standard part of the GE softener box, and will make it quick and easy to get the water softener installed and operating.

Cleaning tub areas, bathtubs along with basins is without a doubt much simpler without undesirable minerals leaving a scum film everywhere. Laundry definitely will become noticeably smoother and colors will look nicer when you are using less laundry soap. At the conclusion, a softening unit just like a GE water softener will save you dollars. One can save money on electrical power for the reason that water heater will perform better and your devices last much longer while not having to be swapped out as many times. These cost benefits translates into other areas as well.

The effectiveness of the GE water softener lets you to use less cleaning soap to each load of washing and get softer and cleaner clothes and towels too. Due to the fact soft water really doesn't hold the minerals, that makes mark and then scum, plus you will employ much less detergent to check out the difference not just to your materials but more in those electricity and cleaning agent bills.

GE has made its own softeners through SmartSoft technology, that makes it possible to "learn" the water consumption activities of one's individual property, which is the reason why soft water is always presented when it's used. These devices also operate a bypass valve which enables you to have unsoftened h2o for further needs for instance cleaning the automobile or watering the lawn and flowerbed.

With a whole house water softener you will never have to bother about putting a treatment agent to each wash load or bath simply because the water will have already been soft once it gets to the faucet.

GE Water Softener - Would You Think About Buying?

A WATER SOFTENER

Clearwave Electronic Water Softener Review

Hard water treatment is a common problem in most homes. This is because this type of water is not safe for drinking. It is not good for washing clothing, and other surfaces. When you try to wash with it, this water will not lather easily. You might find that, hard water that you use in the house is causing ugly stains. In this case, the best action to take is to try to make it soft. The procedure for doing this is completely easy. You can make use of electronic water softener. These are many in the market. They do not work in a similar manner to soften hard water. Even so, most products are customer friendly. A good example of a product that you could buy is the Clearwave. This electronic softener system has many advantages.

Let us analyze the main product features

A WATER SOFTENER

• The product allows you to use less soap when cleaning clothes or surfaces. You can use it to remove the scale from the water pipes

• In a whole year, you only have to spend five dollars or less in electricity

• It replaces base exchange water softening mechanisms

Why is this product good for you?

When buying an item like an electronic water softener, many people focus more on the amount of money they could save. If you buy Clearwave, the cost of electricity to expect in a whole year is five dollars or less. Throughout this time, you will be using it to remove scales on pipes. You can use this product to clean surfaces too. The advantage you have is using less soap.

As a result, you can save money than not using any water softener at all. This product removes dirt automatically because it is computerized. Its functioning mechanism features over two hundred electromagnetic low frequency pulses. Thus, the programming of its computer chip is set in a way to bombard water, passing via pipes. The electromagnetic pulse adds to the electromotive pull ability of water that contains mineral salts.

Instead of the mineral salts changing to insoluble calcium carbonate, which attaches to water pipes, they remain dissolved in water. Therefore, any scale stuck on pipes, faucets, toilets and water heaters start to dissolve away gradually. Other items that could benefit from this substance are washing machines, coffee makers and even boilers. This user-friendly item is easy to install.

All you should do is to mount it to the water pipes that carry water to the house. Use pipe clips to do it, and wrap up the antenna leads around the pipe. Plug the set up into a hundred and ten volt power supply. This power unit is okay for one-inch diameter pipes. For one and quarter inch, to one and a half inch, add one more power supply unit, in a series array. Clearwave electronic water softener does not react with different types of pipes, including copper, galvanized stainless steel and PVC.

Clearwave Electronic Water Softener Review

A WATER SOFTENER

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Water Softeners - Save Hundreds of Dollars With an Easy to Install Device

Reducing the calcium or magnesium ion concentration in hard water is not rocket science and can be easily achieved by installing a water softener. This gets rid of lots of the problems associated with hard water and at the same time reduces energy costs of heating water with pipes full of limescale. So in short, a water softener device can be a great idea to add to your home.

There are some major issues that hard water causes. Firstly, the calcium and magnesium react with soaps and sensitive detergents, hindering their ability to lather and forming the ugly precipitate that will all know as limescale buildup. Presence of these minerals also inhibits the cleaning effect of detergent formulations.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Not only this, calcium and magnesium carbonates tend to stick to the surfaces of pipes and heat exchanger surfaces. The scale build-up resulting from this can restrict water flow in pipes. In boilers, the build-up acts as thermal insulation that impedes the flow of heat into the water. This not only reduces heating efficiency, but allows the metal to overheat which, in a pressurized system, can lead to failure.

The presence certain minerals in water can also lead to galvanic corrosion, in which one metal will preferentially corrode when in contact with another type of metal. The use of water softeners can actually aggravate this and cause the heating elements in hot water heaters to corrode more quickly.

Early water-softening devices intended for household use depended on an ion-exchange resin in which "hardness" ions trade places with the sodium that is found in the water softening device. Water softeners are typically used when water is supplied from wells, and I receive correspondence from people all the time asking for help with hard water stains that their water has caused. Public water systems are also susceptible to hard water, although this is much less common.

There are various other ways of treating hard water including water filters, electromagnetic water conditioners and reverse osmosis. In the next article in this series we will look at the pros and cons of several of the available methods to treat water containing high levels of calcium and magnesium which are the cause of hard water stains forming on fixtures and fittings around the home.

Water Softeners - Save Hundreds of Dollars With an Easy to Install Device

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Shower Water Softeners - Finding the Best Water Softener For Your Home

The water softener market seems to be deluged right now with various products all claiming theirs is the best shower water softener on the market. How do you know which one is really the best? The answer to this question will vary from person to person. What might be best for you is going to be the total opposite of what best fits someone else's needs. Various elements from the price of the water softener to the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit all play a critical role in determining which water softener is best for you and your family.

Kenmore

A WATER SOFTENER

Kenmore is known the world over for their outstanding ability to manufacture quality kitchen-based appliances that are easy to operate and convenient to operate. When looking at Kenmore's line of softeners, you will need to select from a full line of various sized devices to find the one that fits your family. Kenmore softeners can range anywhere in price from 0 to 00 depending on the size necessary to accommodate all of the water being used in your house. Kenmore units are very good at removing soap residues, which helps to keep water from becoming hard.

Pelican

This company holds the advantage of creating a shower water softener that is both energy efficient as well as having the ability to not only soften your water but also filter it as well. Pelican specializes in single tank systems that do not rely on electricity to be used. The company is also good at abiding by its warranty, as they give 10-year in-house warranties on most of their systems. Pelican softeners also do not use salt, so there is little-to-no maintenance for the homeowner to worry about.

Culligan

The Culligan name has become synonymous with high-quality water filtration and softening units that provide homes with water that is of the highest excellence. Culligan is able to provide the customer with complimentary salt delivery with the purchase of any water softening product. Their customer service is also a key element to their profitable business, as they make it easy to have your units serviced in a timely manner. Culligan is a trusted name in the water industry, and it is a company that is widely recognized as being at the top of their industry.

Shower water softeners are essential elements for households, especially if your water naturally is accompanied by a large amount of lime or iron. These household devices are key elements in the fight against hard water that could damage everything from your skin to your food. By adhering to some key factors that separate the good water softeners from the bad, you can easily find the right one for you.

Shower Water Softeners - Finding the Best Water Softener For Your Home

A WATER SOFTENER

Buying Guide For Brand New Water Softeners

There are certain aspects that need to be taken into consideration when you are in the market for water softeners. Shoppers will need to make sure that they look through these excellent tips in order to save the most money. Be sure to look for something that is full of quality so that there is soft water throughout the house at all times.

Do not forget to note the price that you will be able to afford. Most of these systems are going to be easy on the wallet, but the shopper does need to look around. Find out the size of the system that will fit in the home and it should be fairly simple to move forward from there.

A WATER SOFTENER

The actual type and brand needs to be looked into as well. Those who do not take this step are going to end up looking for a fairly long time just to get to the right product. Know the size that you need and the brand that will best suit you and it should work out just fine.

Choosing the water softeners that come with a warranty will help to provide the right peace of mind. These warranties will cover any damages or repairs that the softener needs to have done. The protection plan might come at an extra cost but most shoppers report the cost being worth it. A reputable dealer is going to offer the right plans so be sure to get in touch with them.

Do not worry about the entire installation process. Most buyers have been able to take care of everything on their own. In fact, the installation instructions that come with the softener are easy to read as well as understand. Be sure to read everything over carefully prior to getting started.

Water softeners are a great addition for just about any home. Those who want to make sure that they have high quality water will need to make sure that they take their time with shopping and find the very best model. Start right now and enjoy the soft water.

Buying Guide For Brand New Water Softeners

A WATER SOFTENER

Friday, August 26, 2011

Salt-Free Water Softeners

Your salt-based water softener can dump up to 500 pounds of salt into the environment each year, so salt-free free solutions to this environmental problem seem like a good idea. Salt is also damaging to some metals like galvanized pipe and the last thing most people want or need is a major repair on their water supply system. Because of the minimal negative effect on the environment, salt-free water softening systems are at least worth doing some research on before spending your hard earned money.

Types of Salt-Free Water Softeners

A WATER SOFTENER

Electric water softeners are said, by their manufacturers, to send an electric pulse through the water that prevents scaling. There is no real claim that it will remove dissolved metals that cause hard water, just that it will reduce scale buildup. Magnetic water softeners are mostly claimed to reduce scale buildup in your pipes. Just wrap a couple of magnets at about 0 each around your pipes and some distributors claim that your plants will thrive better, some diseases will be prevented, and, oh yeah, it will soften your water, too. Well not really soften your water because it doesn't remove any dissolved metals, but make your water feel softer and act softer. Sorry, but the scientific support for these claims cannot always be replicated when discovered by one scientist and the actual studies are somewhat ambiguous and even anecdotal in nature. Electro-magnetic water softeners are just a magnet with an electrical current added. Sort of like combining the two just above. Not surprisingly, these devices are not claimed by most distributors to actually soften your water. Like the other two approaches, this type also only minimizes scale buildup in your plumbing. But the U.S. government has some positive things to say about the potential of this type of system. Catalytic Media systems use a filter media type that chemically alters and/or traps hard water compounds. Ceramic filter types are similar to what backpackers have been using for years and are usually effective to the size of cryptosporidium which is a nasty paramecium that is found in streams where there is also wildlife around. One ceramic filter system insists it is a durable, long-life system because the filter's catalyst is a non-sacrificial type. One could argue that since the introduction of a true catalyst in chemical reactions is for the purpose of enhancing a reaction, how could this really be a catalyst? Or if it is, then what is the chemistry behind the non-sacrificial reaction? Suffice it to say that a ceramic filter of high quality will have a long life but will need some cleaning maintenance and its filtration ability will be limited to its pore size. The ceramic filter's ability to filter viral material might be a major feature for some people. Reverse Osmosis is a non-salt based system that was first developed for the purpose of desalinization of sea water to become pure drinking water. It has considerable limitations, but is easier on the environment than salt-based water softener systems. Reverse osmosis has been a proven solution to providing high quality pure drinking water for about 40 years.

Salt-Free Water Softeners

A WATER SOFTENER

Installing Your Over Oven Microwave

For the inexperienced home owner, installing a microwave oven over your stove can be a scary endeavor. It is, however, simpler than you may think. There are two ways you can do this. One way is with the exhaust ducted to the outside and the other is to recycle the exhaust back into the house. For this article we will keep it simple and assume the exhaust is recycled into the house. Running the exterior exhaust is a topic for another day.

So your cabinets are installed and your electrician has run the wire and installed an outlet in the cabinet. You are now ready to install the microwave.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Unpack the microwave and set the glass trey and other components aside for a minute. Now on the back of the microwave you will find a large metal bracket. Remove the bracket by loosening the screws in the upper corners. Discard the screws and remove the bracket. Now find the studs in the space for the microwave and screw the bracket to the the studs where you can and use the toggle bolts where there are no studs. Once the bracket is secured open up the plastic bag with the documents and pull out the hole template. This template gives you the dimensions for drilling the holes for the mounting screws, the external vent hook up and the power cord.

Begin now by finding your center of the cabinet. This is usually a 30" cabinet so the center is at 15". Make sure you take your measurement at the edge of the face of the cabinet where it attaches to the adjacent cabinet. Using a small square make a line from the wall to the front at the 15" mark. Now, if you look at the template you will see that all of the dimensions come off the center line and the rear of the cabinet on the inside of the lip. You must follow the dimensions exactly for things to fall into the right place. Take your measurements and make your marks for all of the bolt holes and the power cord hole. Drill the holes using the recommended drill size. Make up your filler blocks and pre drill them for the bolts. Your now ready for the microwave.

Pick up the microwave and raise it up into the bracket and slide it down until the microwave catches the hooks on the bracket. Hold the microwave down far enough to push the power cord up through the hole and set the filler blocks. Now raise it up with one hand and install the screws from inside the cabinet with the other. Hand tighten them as far as you can then finish with a screw driver. Plug in the power cord and you are done. Install the screens and the trey and your ready for use.

Installing Your Over Oven Microwave

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Picking the Right Shower Water Softener

The water softener market is full of products. The main problem you are likely to endure is selecting the best option. You can even buy a product to purify the water for some parts of your house. For instance, you can find the shower water softener. The companies that are making this type of water softener are many. Picking, for those who have used the items could be slightly easy. Those who have not might have difficulties in deciding the best softeners to buy. A few factors will always determine the type of softeners you could purchase. These are:

• Price - This is always the first thing that people want to consider. The price of the product differs with the manufacturer, wholesalers or retailers. It is up to you to decide the amount of dollars you can afford to spend on softeners. Of course, if you use the Internet, you will hardly lack an opportunity to have a good price deal.

A WATER SOFTENER

• Quality of product and effectiveness - This is the other thing to consider. If you are going to spend a lot of money on a given softener, please consider its quality as well. Some substandard quality products are not good for you. Soon you will go shopping again as the product will not effectively soften the water.

• Types - Shower water softeners are different. Some require a good installation before they can start functioning, and delivering the results. Others are harmless chemicals that you can personally apply by following simple instructions. First, you need to research all the available types of water softeners. Then, analyze the extent of your water treatment problem in your house. You could consult an expert if you think your problem is serious.

• The brand name - Some companies tend to stand out more than others do. You should look for these brands. You can easily tell the best brands by reading online customer reviews. Customers always reveal good company products to others. An Example of top brands in the production of water softeners includes Kenmore. The company enjoys a global recognition, especially because of its kitchen appliances. It brings to you user-friendly products that feature high quality as well. You really should examine its line of shower water softener products to find an item that suits you best. The other famed company is Culligan. This brand gives you products for filtering and softening the hard water. You can find both companies' products on the Internet easily. If you need good deals all the way, try the Amazon site, as it is reputable and it gives you a range of products.

Shower water has many uses, including cleaning your skin. If this water is not pure, meaning that it has hardening minerals, then it is not good for your skin. You need to clear some of those bad minerals from the water to make it useful. If you adhere to the above factors, and others, you will surely succeed in buying the best shower water softener. Take your time to search for a product that will not make you feel sorry for buying them. This is the only way to avoid all the problems that hard water cause in your daily life.

Picking the Right Shower Water Softener

A WATER SOFTENER

Thursday, August 25, 2011

10 Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Water Softeners

1. What are the different types of water treatment systems?

There are three types of water present in your home. Raw water is brought in from the city, county, or a well. Raw water is typically used for watering your lawn and is untreated. Working water is the water treated by your water treatment system, and is used for bathing, washing, and cleaning. Finally, the third type of water present in your home is drinking water. Drinking water treatment systems such as reverse osmosis are available to better the quality of the water you drink.

A WATER SOFTENER

2. What does a water softener do?

Hard water has large deposits of calcium and magnesium, and once it evaporates it leaves a white film on sink fixtures and showers that can often be difficult to clean. A water softener eliminates these mineral deposits with the following steps. First, the water travels into the resin bed where the resin beads bind to calcium and magnesium molecules. The resin bed will eventually become saturated, calling for the use of salt. Contrary to common belief, salt is not directly added to the water. Instead, it is used to clean the resin bed, and only a small amount of sodium actually is added to your water with the removal of calcium and magnesium.

3. What are the benefits of a water softener?

Benefits are evident to both your body and your home with the use of soft water. Your skin will feel softer and free of any scum or residue left by soaps, and your hair will have more shine and luster. Any skin irritations or issues will be improved with the use of soft water as well. No scale will be visible in your ice cube tray, water heater, plumbing pipes, or bathroom fixtures. The life of your fixtures and water heater will be vastly improved. Soft water will also advance the quality of your drinking water.

4. What is the difference between an electrical water softener and a mechanical water softener?

Electrical water softeners are often found at your local home improvement stores. They require a power source nearby and are run on a timer on top of the resin bed. Like an alarm clock, the timer tells the unit when to regenerate. Mechanical systems, like a Kinetico, only work when you are using water, increasing its efficiency. Other chemical free units exist, and there are countless options available.

5. How do I know if I have hard water?

Hard water causes scale to form on the inside of plumbing, water heaters, toilet bowls, sink fixtures, shower heads, shower doors, and even your skin, just to name a few. It is visible in the form of white film on your fixtures and shower. If you have a sprayer or shower head, flip it over and check the openings. If the holes are filled, hard water could be impeding you from getting the best results from your fixtures. Hard water can also stick to skin and clothing.

6. What is involved in getting my water tested?

Water is tested directly at the source, your kitchen sink for city and county water, or directly at the well pump. The test will include checking for hardness as well as chlorine levels and TDS (total dissolved solids). With well water, sulfide, sediment, and tannin tests could also be performed. Representatives may show you a soap test, in which they will demonstrate the different reactions of soap between hard and soft treated water. Tests will last about 30-45 minutes.

7. Does size or capacity matter when choosing a water softener?

When buying electrical systems with one tank of resin, take capacity into account. It is important to remember how much water your home uses and the amount of water pressure necessary. With mechanical units, capacity does not matter. They have an infinite reserve of soft and treated water. Size depends on how much water pressure your family needs.

8. What are the operating costs of a water softener?

Salt and water are the main operating costs of a water treatment system. The unit will need both salt and water to regenerate and clean the resin bed. With an electrical machine, the average salt per day is one pound per person. Thus, for a family of two people, about 60 pounds of salt per month will be necessary. Electrical units also use between 45 and 100 gallons of water every time it cleans, which could amount to over 1,000 gallons per month depending on how often you have it set for. Non-electrical units are much more efficient, using about 7 pounds of salt per person per month, and approximately 7 gallons of water each time it cleans. Keep in mind that carbon beds and systems treating well water may require more maintenance.

9. Where is the softener installed?

Contrary to common belief, you do not always have to put your water softener in your garage. Check with your homeowner's association to be sure. Electrical units will need to be installed in the garage because it provides a power source for the system. Mechanical units, however, can be installed completely outdoor, as they do not have any power source requirements or corrosive parts.

10. How long will the unit take to install?

Install should not take more than 2-3 hours. If installing an electrical unit, be sure your power source is available and working. Mechanical machines usually have a shorter install period than electrical machines.

10 Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Water Softeners

A WATER SOFTENER

Using Water Softeners - Go Green With No Salt

In the past, and even up to this date, converting hard water into soft water is done using salt-based water softeners that require the disposal of salt or brine wastes during the process; such disposal is unhealthy to the environment, that is why some water softeners go green with no salt in order to soften the water without hurting the ecosystem. Water softeners nowadays are generally carbon based; requiring no more salt during the softening process.

Having hard tap water is one of the most common problems among numerous households today. Hard water may not cause detrimental effects to a person's health, but it does cause a lot of inconvenience and annoyance. One of the most significant disadvantages of having hard water coming out of your faucet is clogging of water lines.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Hard water generally contains a high amount of minerals. These minerals tend to build up in metal pipes and water lines; eventually causing the line to clog after several months or years. Hence, plumbing issues are among the main concerns of having hard water in your system. On top of that, it is also quite unhealthy for the hair; causing split-ends and other hair problems that only give many individuals more bad hair days.

Moreover, it can also cause dryness of the skin; thereby requiring the use of skin moisturizers even after taking a bath. In washing of clothes, having hard water would require extra soap or detergent in order to clean the clothes; making it more expensive in the end.

It is for these reasons that water softeners are used. However, some water softeners are salt- based, that usually requires loads of salt in order to soften the water. Consequently, the process tends to become more expensive in the long run; aside from the inconvenience of the quite tedious regular maintenance. During the process of softening the water, salt wastes are produced, when the unit backwashes or cleans itself, all of which ends up back into the water source.

Thus, water softeners that go green with no salt provides a better option for all people in the whole community, because it is devoid of brine wastes that only give more harm to the environment. On top of that, it is more convenient to use since they require no salt; and water softeners that go green with no salt are also more cost-effective on a long term basis, considering that there is no more need to buy pounds of salt.

Therefore, water softeners that go green with no salt is highly recommended today if you have tap water that is hard; this is both user-friendly and at the same time environmental-friendly.

Using Water Softeners - Go Green With No Salt

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Choosing a Water Softener System for Your Home

It has many negative consequences that affect our daily lives; for instance, you will find out that the soap or shampoo you use will not lather well, each of your washed clothes looks dingy, countless numbers of chalky rings may stay in your bathroom fixtures, a number of spots may stay in your clean glasses and some of your appliances (e.g. coffee makers) may suffer from shortened lives. In some areas, the district procedure will add chemicals to soften it before such a liquid comes to every household pipe. Should you live in an area where the above procedure has not been established, you are suggested to install a water softener system for your own house. Such a device is available at different types such as reverse osmosis, chemical, ion exchanging, magnetic and electric softening installations. Make sure that you do have to learn and do the research on the particular device to help you determine the right one that will work best on the crucial liquid hardness in your area and according to your home's special needs.

There are few tips you may want to consider on choosing the right water softener system, they are:

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

The first thing to consider is that you should test your water to find out how hard it is. In this case, you can hire a professional to do the test, or you may choose to buy a testing kit and do the test yourself. Once you get the result on the hardness, you have to calculate the household usage in gallons. After that, consider the time you use for cleaning, running and maintain the device. With this information, you can start looking for the best units. The higher calcium or magnesium levels on this particular liquid, the larger and more powerful units you need.

You should have a careful and thoughtful consideration on the particular device you want to purchase. A good device with the ability to clean most of the impurities in liquid, which could be harmful to human would be the perfect option. In fact, you can choose one with activated carbon filters that have proven effectively to perform its best functions. You may also consider a procedure that does not eliminate important mineral components from the particular liquid. A device of which characteristics are environmental friendly, efficient as not waste one, can help you to minimize the maintenance costs. You can start looking for such a device at a reliable online store. Purchasing the device online may help you to save more of your time and energy. In fact, you can also save some money due to the lower price you may get from such an online store. Compare 3 to 4 different online stores will help you to get your best deal on such a device. You can even make a choice for the softening procedure that suits your budget.

Choosing a Water Softener System for Your Home

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Water Softener Use In Mobile Auto Detailing

What is considered hard water and what are the degrees of hardness? Well very hard water would be 10.5 grains per gallon and 180 parts per million and above. But you need to realize that even moderately hard water of 3.5 to 7 grains per gallon and 60-120 parts per million will leave hard water spots. Slightly hard water such as 1 to 3.5 grains per gallon and 17.1 to 60 part per million will not leave noticeably hard water spots that you cannot cure with a chamois. But really as a professional auto detailer you are really looking for soft water of less than 1 grain per gallon and 17 parts per million.

What Makes The Water Hard?

A WATER SOFTENER

Hardness in water is caused calcium and magnesium ions that form insoluble compounds; sometimes iron and even aluminum. There are many ways to soften water. Some are more complicated than others; Aeration, De-Ionization or ion-exchange, Distillation, Reverse Osmosis or Softening.

Softening by use of a water softener is the simplest concept used today; water softeners replace hardness ions like calcium and magnesium with sodium or non-scaling ions. The ion exchange resin used in the process is recharged periodically with salt drawn from a storage tank. Many water treatment experts agree and Lance Winslow concurs that softening can be most cost effective when the water has as few as one to five grains per gallon of hardness. Most mobile operators will be happy with one to three grains per gallon of hardness and probably won't even purchase a softening unit until the hardness is five plus grains per gallon. Their theory is well taken because, if the total dissolved solids (TDS) is that low, there will be little water spotting on cars anyway.

One reason to put in a water softener even if your water is 5 gpg or less is because you wish to prevent scaling in the coils of your steam cleaner or save your pressure washing pump on your auto detailing rig. On a cold water machine, this is not as important because 5 gpg or less won't ruin a pump. More than five can over time.

Hardness also hinders soap from doing its job. You may notice that your soaps are not cleaning properly. That's because they are cleaning the water first and combining with the compounds in the water rather than the dirt on the car. You see, the hardness in the water has a tendency to neutralize those cleaning compounds and you have to actually use more soap to offset the neutralizing effect of the hardness minerals.

With hard water, you will use more soap and the cars still aren't clean. I encourage you to talk to your soap vendors for helpful advice on water chemistry and treatment requirements. Your soap strategy should be custom tailored to your city and the hardness of the water you put in your tank.

Most independent auto detailing professionals agree that areas with hard water will also cause a film on cars that are washed when no softener is used. They also agreed at the annual conference that the decision to purchase a softener should be based on a real water test. You might wish to contact a water treatment dealer such as: Rain Soft, Culligan, Apollo, Calgon, Rayne water Systems or the Water Man in your area. They can help you by having the local water tested or ask city water authority for information on their supply. Once your decision is made to purchase a softener, selecting the proper equipment is easy. Softener sizes should be based upon two factors: Flow Rate (GPM) and Grains Per Gallon (GPG).

Flow rate would typically be six to eight gpm (gallons per minute) with your hose at your residence. We recommend you change your pressure regulator to 90-110 PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch). This would give you approximately ten gpm. So you need a water softener that is a little bigger than the basic model.

Water softeners are basically like refrigerators; says Car Wash Guys Founder Lance Winslow;

"They could last two years or twenty years...and a lot depends on how much goes in and how often it comes out."

This is why you should monitor softening equipment. You can test the hardness with a testing kit or just pay attention when you're washing cars. Steel softening tanks last for years. Fiberglass units last well also. Plastic units crack. You may need to change resin every couple of years.

Chances are you will choose to rent softeners for per month and let the exchange company recharge them for you. Be careful when hiring water softener vendors. Ask us for help. You may even be able to trade services for water softening rental plus make money on the account because water softener rental companies have lots of delivery trucks. In any case think on these issues when considering a water softening strategy for your mobile car wash or auto detailing business.

Water Softener Use In Mobile Auto Detailing

A WATER SOFTENER

Information on Kinetico Water Softeners

When it comes to detecting hard water, the signs can be quite obvious. That is precisely why it is a little bit easy to determine if you have to soften your water or not. However, the most difficult part is deciding which softener is best for your home, with a starting point being Kinetico water softeners.

The first thing you need to know is how water softeners really work. They are not the same as a water filter either. Basically, filters remove water contaminants while softeners soften hard water by reducing its mineral contents. This is where the transformation from hard to soft water occurs. You have to realize that when it's hard, it usually contains calcium deposits as well as magnesium metal, in some cases, bicarbonates and sulfates.

A WATER SOFTENER

In order for your tap water to be considered soft, those afore mentioned minerals should be reduced or completely removed. This is where Kinetico water softeners work well. First off, Kinetico's softeners use a three tank system, compared to the two tank systems that standard softeners utilize. Typically, the first tank is the mineral tank, while the second is the brine tank. The third tank is to make it soft, once it has been treated.

The extra tank will allow you to have an almost continuous supply of soft water, where two-tank systems will have you waiting for several minutes to have soft water. This is why many online softener reviews favor Kinetico water softeners. The mineral tank is typically filled with zeolites or polystyrene beads. One great feature of a Kinetico water softener that many individuals love is that it does not use an electric pump. The whole softening process really relies on a turbine which is responsible for moving the water from tank to tank.

The use of a patented turbine instead of an electric pump makes the Kinetico softeners more cost-efficient compared to other softeners. Keep in mind that hard water can drastically damage water filters. There are many good filters out there such as the Aqua Pure filters or a Berkey filter that filters contaminants well but gets damaged easily because of the hardness.

This is why you will need to have your tap water checked for hardness and contaminants before buying anything. If the test results show that your water has less than 17.1 ppm (parts per million), then it is considered soft and you will not need any softeners. Filtering would be another story; it would depend on the contaminants present.

Information on Kinetico Water Softeners

A WATER SOFTENER

Electric Water Softeners Will Cure Hard Water Ills

The "hard water in your house" symptoms are obvious, and it doesn't take a whole lot to realize that something needs to be done about the hard water issue that makes your life miserable. Knowing that there is a salt-free option with electric water softeners is not so cut and dry. Most people think about dealing with bags of salt when they think of water softeners. This article will review the soft water plagues and the benefits of using an electric water softener.
Here is a brief reminder of the symptoms of hard water ills:

• You have ugly white spots all over your silverware, glasses or dishes.
• There is lather when shampooing
• Your hair feels sticky and stiff after shampooing
• No orange rings left around sinks and tubs
• Fabrics are stiff, or you can see or feel soap residue after washing.
• Whites turn a dingy white color over time

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

For most people it is the sticky, stiff or lifeless hair that does it, there is nothing worse and more uncomfortable that your hair that just does not feel or look right. Add in to the mix the awful spots on the glassware that makes it look like you never wash your dishes and you have your obvious, hard water ills.

There are two ways to deal with this issue. One is to do nothing, and just deal with it. The other is to install a water softening system in your home. Traditionally, this means water will run through a tub filled with bags of salt, usually some kind of calcium sulfate mixture, that creates a chemical reaction with the minerals in the water that make it "hard." By the time it gets to you shower, dishwasher or washing machine, the hardness is gone, and you have a nice soft water that cleans everything, rinses the soap and scum off, and leaves your hair soft and luxurious.

There is another option to seriously consider, and that is the no salt, no mess, plug it in and leave it electric water softener systems.

Here is how an electric water softener system works:

• A electric coil is placed around the water pipes.
• Electric pulses (ions) are then sent through the pipes every which way.
• These electric ions react with the hard minerals, changing them into soft crystals,
• These crystals stay in solution, do not separate, leaving the water to do its thing
• You do not get the chemical reaction between the hard minerals and the water, which is what makes the water soap unfriendly.

With this system, once it is installed, it does its thing, using a very low voltage. You never have to change bags of salt, you do not have to clean the pipes of water scum, and you do not even need a plumber to install it! This is a system anyone in need of a soft water system should truly explore.

Electric Water Softeners Will Cure Hard Water Ills

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Choosing the Best Water Softener - Important Comparison Factors

It is important to make a thorough comparison when searching for the best water softener. And to do so, you need to have a very meticulous set of criteria. This will help you find the best unit that will meet your needs efficiently so you can make a good investment. To land the best unit in the market, your criteria should include these important factors.

Grains capacity. The grains capacity of a water softener is definitely the most important factor since it directly affects the softening process that the softener can manage. You have to compare this with the hardness level of your water supply. Hardness levels can be determined by some test kits if your city water supplier cannot provide you with the details. This is measured in the amount of grains per gallon. You have to choose a softener that can handle the hardness level of your water.

A WATER SOFTENER

Brand. Next, you have to consider the brand of your softener. There are several reliable brands in the market that you can count on for effectiveness, efficiency, and durability. These brands include Kenmore, Pelican, Culligan, Calgon, and Kinetico, among many others.

Type. You also have to decide what kind of model to buy. The different kinds include demand-initiated regeneration softeners, automatic softeners, and manual softeners. Demand-initiated regeneration water softeners can start the regeneration process by itself based on the level of water consumption. Automatic softeners regenerate automatically based on a timer you have to set. Manual softeners require you to control the entire regeneration process.

Price. Naturally, the price is one important comparison factor in choosing the best one. You have to consider your own budget but you have to be prepared for an investment if you want a good quality model.

Durability. Durability is often intertwined with the brand of your softener. What's important is you look for one that is made of durable material and can last you a long time.

Efficiency. You should also look for a model that's efficient to use. Water softener efficiency should be efficient based on the use of salt, water, and energy. There are some models that do not use salt, such as the Pelican NaturSoft series, and you should also go for a one that does not waste water through backwashing. Finally, look for models that are Energy Star qualified.

Performance guarantee. It is also important to consider the performance guarantee that comes with your water softener. The performance guarantee includes warranty and any other guarantee such as money-back guarantees for your water softener.

Reviews and ratings. Some good measures of the overall quality of softeners are reviews and ratings. Reviews can give you objective information about water softeners and ratings can help you compare different types with one another quickly. Take time to read reviews and check out ratings in choosing a unit to find out more about actual customer feedback and satisfaction ratings.

To Find More about choosing a best water softener please visit our homepage at http://www.water-purification-guide.com

Copyright 2009 Water-purification-guide.com, all rights reserved.

Choosing the Best Water Softener - Important Comparison Factors

A WATER SOFTENER

How To Fix Residential Water Softeners Yourself

If your water softener system starts to flake, you or a professional can fix it and bring it back to its old performance. Getting a pro can be a bit expensive, and if the problem is just a minor one, then you can save money by fixing it yourself. Here are some solutions to common problems you may encounter with residential water softeners.

If you notice that you are not getting softened water from your tap, you should check the salt level in your system. If your tank is empty, you should refill it with salt. Place course water softener salt in 1/3 of the brine tank then recharge the softener. Take note of the recommended time frame suggested by the manufacturer.

A WATER SOFTENER

Avoid using hot water when you recharge residential water softeners. Use cold water instead to help prevent hard water from filling your device. Fix the timer and hardness level on your system to make your machine function better. This will make your system produce soft water more efficiently.

If it stops functioning, check if the electrical plug was accidentally removed or fell off the socket. Reset the controls on your water system if the timer light is not working or if there is no power. You can also try resetting the circuit breaker of your house or replace the fuse and then recharge the unit.

Another problem you could encounter with residential water softeners could be the valve drain hose. If the hose of the brine tank is not draining liquid properly, this could also cause your appliance to stop working efficiently. Check if the hose is installed correctly and check for dents or bends on the hose that could be obstructing the flow of water. You can also take apart the nozzle, brine tank and other parts to clean them.

If there is more iron in your water than usual, it is possible that you have to clean the resin bed. You can purchase resin bed cleaner from a hardware store, a plumbing store, online, or from a water system company that sells water supply and treatment systems. Follow instructions in the package for cleaning out residue on the resin bed.

If your water is harder than usually, you can also add less dish washing liquid to your dishwasher if your glasses look cloudy. Shorten the dish washing time to reduce glass etching. You can also reduce your laundry soap for your laundry washer so your clothes don't stain or become faded. This is a temporary solution to minimize damage to your clothes and glassware, but it will still be a good idea to check if your system is working well.

You can replace the motor and rotor seal parts of residential water softeners if the motor stops working. Parts will eventually wear out or become defective over time. Order the parts online if you want to change them yourself. You can also ask the store you bought the system from to replace broken parts.

How To Fix Residential Water Softeners Yourself

A WATER SOFTENER

What You Should Know Before Buying a Water Softener

Many people live in areas where their water is calcified to the point that they feel that they have to add a water softener in order to get fresh tasting water. There are chemical water softeners, and certain filtering methods will also lessen the severity of the calcification, but which steps are the best when it comes to softening your water?

Distillation is the oldest method used as a water softener, being literally thousands of years old. This method employed two tanks, one from which the water is vaporized and one that acted as a catch tank. The vaporized water was drawn into the catch tank leaving all of the mineral content back in the holding tank.

A WATER SOFTENER

Another one of the mechanized water softeners is known as a reverse osmosis system. This is the type of system that is used at your local treatment facility. It is usually a very good system for the de-mineralization of our drinking water, but sometimes people still have trouble with having "hard" water.

There is also a style of water softener that is hooked up to the main water line running into your house. From there it further filters for calcium and magnesium that cause scale buildup in your pipes. These machines don't actually remove these "hard" elements from your water, but rather exchanges them for potassium.

There are just a couple of problems with these water softeners though that you should know about before you buy them. For one thing all that these machines do is demineralize your water, they do not filter out any of the chemical and biological contaminants that are commonly found in our tap water system, and they are outrageously priced.

A quality water softener can run you 0 or more, and if you ask me that's simply too much money for such a one dimensional apparatus. You would be far better off by purchasing a home purification system that offers you all of the protections from pollutants that you need, and that includes an ion exchange feature.

This feature gives you all of the benefits that the larger water softeners do, because all that they are performing is an ion exchange. These smaller models remove "hard" debris from your water just as efficiently, and will actually offer you both potassium and sodium exchange as opposed to just one.

In addition to being a water softener the ion exchange filter in a home water purification system will also remove any trace metals such as lead or copper from your drinking water, and it will act to keep your water's pH level balanced. Just because this type of filter is smaller does not mean that it doesn't do a lot.

Water softeners don't have to be bulky, and they don't have to be expensive. You can get a high quality full service home purification system for as low as 5, and it will keep your family safe from 99.99% of all of the impurities that may harm you. A simple water softener won't offer you that kind of protection.

What You Should Know Before Buying a Water Softener

A WATER SOFTENER

Monday, August 22, 2011

Water Softener Benefits

Hard water contains more minerals than it should for home use. The most common minerals found in hard water are calcium and magnesium. Many homes and business suffer from hard water, which can cause clogs in water pipes and even prevent soap from dissolving in the water. In some cases, it causes lime scale deposits to be created in a water system.

A softener can eliminate the negative effects of hard water on your pipe system. Using special technology, a water softener removes the calcium and magnesium from the water supply, which helps pipes stay clear. It also makes it easier to clean dishes effectively and take more enjoyable showers. Laundry machines even work more efficiently with soft water, because lime-scale build-up in the machine will be reduced.

A WATER SOFTENER

When it is soft, it is certainly more enjoyable for bathing and washing, it can also have significant monetary benefits in your household or business. Hard water can cause pipes to become blocked by lime scale build-up. This costly mess can increase your domestic water heating by up to 20 percent. Using soft water ensures that your water heating system is working as efficiently as possible. Soft water also helps to extend the life span of your household appliances. Laundry machines will last longer, reducing the cost of replacement and repair. Air conditioning units and solar heating systems will also last longer if used with soft water rather than hard water.

Other benefits of soft h20 make your experience at home or at work more enjoyable. For example, soft water is generally considered to have a much better taste than hard water. It also reduces the amount of soap scum that builds up in sinks and bathtubs because the soap dissolves more easily in soft water. Hard h20 can cause dry, itchy skin after taking a shower, while soft water works better with soap to leave your hair and skin feeling softer.

Water softeners do require an initial investment to have the machine installed. After that, maintenance costs are little to none and salt only needs to be added occasionally. These machines typically pay for themselves several times over by keeping the pipes and appliances working efficiently in your home and reducing the need for repair and replacement of fixtures.

Water Softener Benefits

A WATER SOFTENER

How to Install a New Water Treatment System

We had an old hard water treatment system that was broken. The tap water from this old system gave me a severe headache so we bought bottled water. I was buying about 10 gallons a week, or about .00 per week, that is over 0.00 per year. I looked over the available literature and found 3 systems that could provide us with drinkable water for about 9.7 cents per gallon vrs .00.

After studying each of these systems we decided to go with an Aquasana whole house water treatment system. I did a diy installation of the drinking water treatment unit in the garage where the old water softener used to be. This water treatment process gave us filtered water for baths, showers, dish washing and washing clothes.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

This hard water treatment system uses no salt to condition the water. It can filter 300,000 gallons of water before it should be changed out. I added a water meter in line to the system that displayed gallons of water used up to 9,999,999 gallons to determine how much water we were using.

We added an Aquasana Premium Under counter Water Filter for a drinking water treatment system under the kitchen sink to get drinkable water. This filter extracts the impurities down to 0.995%. This is the equivalent or superior to the bottled water and I don't acquire a headache from drinking this water.

I installed a special faucet on our porcelain sink in the kitchen for this filtered water. I drilled a hole in the porcelain sink to mount this faucet. This is a tricky job and must be done very exactly. If you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself then have a plumber do it.

I studied the advise and recommended tools on how to drill porcelain. You can purchase a special drill set that is quite expensive just for drilling holes in porcelain. I decided to make my own jig to drill a 5/8" hole for this new faucet. I purchased 2 brass washers, the largest had 3/4" inside diameter which I glued to the sink with a rubber based glue at the place for the new faucet.

Let the glue dry for 10 minutes or more and then take a Dremel tool with a diamond bit to route through the porcelain inside the 3/4" washer down to bare metal. This is a very tricky process as you do not want to crack or chip the porcelain under the brass washer. Keep the working area cool by putting water inside the brass washer while you are drilling to keep the temperature of the drill bit and brass washer down.

The second step is to put a 3/4" outside (OD) and a 1/4" inside diameter (ID) brass washer in the center of the other brass washer. Also you need a 1/4" OD and a 1/16" ID spacer to place inside the smaller brass washer. This gives you the exact center for the faucet. Use the Dremel tool with the diamond bit again to drill a guide hole through the center of the spacer and through the porcelain down to the metal.

The third step you need to remove the spacer and small brass washer but leave the large brass washer glued to the sink. It is a heat sink for the porcelain below it. Now drill a 1/4" starter hole through the porcelain and metal sink at the place marked above.

The fourth step is to take a 5/8" carbide hole saw drill bit and meticulously drill a 5/8" hole in the sink. Make sure the hole saw drill will fit into the center of the large brass washer with good clearance from the washer. Use a low speed drill and keep water on this hole drill and sink to keep every thing below the boiling point of water.

After finishing the hole, take a small hammer and screw driver and carefully knock this brass washer off, being careful not to break the porcelain on the sink. Porcelain is unforgiving and is very difficult to fix. Remove the surplus glue off the sink, you should have a clean hole through the sink with no chips or cracks in the porcelain. The shroud of the faucet should cover up any cracks. You can mount your new faucet on the sink.

Attach the hoses to your new faucet from the final stage filter per the manufactures instructions. Turn the water on and look for leaks. Re-tighten any junction that leaks. Let the water run through the filter per the manufacturers instructions. Now you can test the taste of your own Aquasana Premium filtered water treatment system.

How to Install a New Water Treatment System

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

10 Questions you Should Be Asking Before Purchasing a Water Softener

Will a permit need to be pulled in order to install my water softener?

A permit could be necessary. Be sure to ask your rep if a permit needs to be pulled in order to install your unit in the city or county where you live. By making sure you have the proper permits from the start, you can be sure that when you sell or remodel your home later, you will avoid costly penalties. Choose a forthright company; it is their responsibility to keep you informed.
How soon after installation will I have soft water?

Cold water turns soft immediately, and so does hot water from a tankless water heater. Traditional water heaters house hot water during the installation of your water treatment system. Thus, until the tank is empty, the water will remain hard. If you do not want to wait the 2-3 days it takes to empty your tank naturally, you can run your bathtub on hot until it runs cold. Your water will then be soft when your tank replenishes.
What are the differences between purchasing a water softener at a home improvement store vs. from a company specializing in water treatment?

Purchasing a unit at a home improvement store is an option, but it lacks a professional company willing to maintain and service your machine whenever necessary. You are taking responsibility for paying for its install or doing it yourself and it may be worth it to purchase from a company that will professionally install it free of charge. Options are limited at home improvement stores, and with a water treatment company, you are more likely to find the best option for your home.
Is soft water good enough to drink?

It all depends on personal taste. Soft working water that comes out of your faucet is in fact good enough to drink. However, that is by government safety standards. Some people may wish to have a better tasting drinking water, and there are plenty of good options for drinking water treatment systems, such as reverse osmosis or sink cartridge filter systems. This improved quality drinking water will not only taste better by itself, but it will improve the taste of your coffee and your cooking!
What type of maintenance and upkeep is involved with a water softener?

Salt and/or potassium are necessary to upkeep your water softener. Well water may require food grade chemicals and bleach to treat it. Carbon bed systems will become saturated with chlorine and need to be changed. It all depends on the unit's capacity and how much water your home uses.
What if I'm not willing or physically able to add salt to the softener on a regular basis?

When purchasing from a water treatment company, most will provide a free salt delivery service. Your tank will never be empty and you can enjoy your soft water without the hassle.
How long can I expect my water softener to last?

Life expectancy on systems does vary. Electrical softeners will last about 1-5 years depending on where they are stored. Units installed in the garage will have a little longer of expectancy. With non electrical units, like Kinetico, location has no bearing on expectancy. They usually last 20-30 years as long as they are kept up with. Chemical free systems last a year or two depending on the materials used to treat the water. Be sure to ask your rep what the expectancy of your machine will be
What if I am renting my home or planning on moving in the next few years?

Most people do not know that water treatment systems are portable. Renters can purchase a system and move it with them as their family relocates. A lot of companies will also rent units to you. Warranties generally transfer with you.
What is the typical warranty on a system?

Warranties are a reflection of how a manufacturer feels about their product. Be sure to be clear on what the warranty includes. Lifetime warranties are often misleading, and natural disasters are not usually included. Watch out for the mention of chlorine in the warranty. It is often put in our county and city water for treatment, and could render your warranty void if damages from chlorine are not included. Carbon tanks should be included in the warranty for your resin bed. Ten year warranties are also common. Not prorated warranties mean that if the prices of parts increase over time you will not have to pay the difference, while prorated warranties will require you to pay the difference.
What is the typical guarantee?

Every company is different, but most will rely on Florida law which states that you have three days to provide a cancellation in writing and get your money back. Make a verbal and written cancellation to avoid problems in the future. Companies may offer 30 day money back guarantees, and it should also be in writing. You may not get the plumbing costs back, which are minimal, but you can use that plumbing again later if you decide to get another unit installed with a different vendor. Protect yourself and be informed!

A WATER SOFTENER

10 Questions you Should Be Asking Before Purchasing a Water Softener

A WATER SOFTENER