Water softeners regulate water hardness and protect plumbing systems from clogging. Well water is concentrated with minerals from the ground, most of which are suitable for the human body.
Some minerals, however, like magnesium and calcium, make water “hard” such that soap cannot dissolve properly.
The soap will subsequently buildup in appliances like dishwasher and washing machines. Water softeners are linked to a home water system, and they filter the water as it flows to the house. The water softeners we recommend for their efficiency include:
1. Whirlpool WHES40E Water Softener
The Whirlpool WHES40E is recommended for households of 1-6+ individuals in need of a dependable way of softening their water. The model is designed and assembled in the USA, and you can be sure of its quality and durability. It is also NSF approved to reduce hard water signs like stains and clogging of your faucets, drains, and plumbing.
The water softener gets rid of up to 10 ppm of clear water iron, including ferrous iron that cannot be seen by the naked human eye. This model will soften both your hot and cold water and protect appliances from buildup.
It is equipped with a Demand Initial Regeneration feature that continuously evaluates your home’s water usage, and only uses salt when you need it. It will, therefore, not regenerate when you are on vacation, but you will get soft water when you need it.
This function will save you water and salt. The WHES40E also has a low-salt indicator to notify you when the salt levels are low.
To keep it running effectively, it is best to clean it after every four months. You can buy the device with the WHE-WSC water cleanser to get rid of buildup.
The Whirlpool WHES40E comes with a step-by-step installation kit to help you get it running in little time.
2. Ecopure EPHS007 Water Softener & Filter
The Ecopure EPHS007 is packed with impressive features to soften your home’s water.
An Auto-Sense technology calculates how much water and salt is needed to regenerate the system, and by using only what is required, saves these resources and produces minimal wastage.
The conditioner further removes the chlorine taste and odor that is present in a lot of municipal water lines. In addition to producing an unpleasant taste, chlorine is known to dry out skin and hair. You can say goodbye to un-moisturized skin with the Ecopure EPHS007.
The model cleans itself automatically, which means you will not have to replace any filters. You will also not have to buy replacement filters like whole carbon filters or refrigerator filters.
By reducing the buildup on water-using appliances, your washing machines, water heaters, and dishwashers will last longer and work efficiently.
This model is suitable for households of 1-4 residents, and it removes hardness levels of up to 3 ppm clear water iron. Installing it is quite easy, and all you need is access to a 110 V electrical outlet, connectors for your plumbing, drain, and tubing.
The installation kit will guide your every step, and you will have the model set up in no time. It is accompanied by a 1-year parts and labor warranty, which can be extended to two years if you buy three bottles of the company’s water softener cleaner within the 1st year.
3. Pentair WS48-56sxt10 Fleck Water Softener
The Pentair WS48-56sxt10 water softener is packaged with a mineral tank, standard 14×33 brine tank, and valve with bypass and adapter. Its reliability lies in the fact that its parts are sourced from Pentair and Fleck, two of the most reputable brands in the water-softening industry.
The water softener is equipped with 1.5 cu. Ft. upgraded 10% crosslink resin, which uses the ion exchange process to soften water. The system prevents magnesium and calcium that cause water hardness. The crosslink is also chlorine-resistant to make it long-lasting.
The model is also incredibly impressive, thanks to the digital 5600SXT metered control head that calculates water usage and regenerates as needed. The SXT controller is built on the new 5600 valve to be dependable.
The valves have been tested to function continually for up to 27 years, and they come with a 5-year warranty. The controller features a user-friendly interface, a 48-hour internal power backup, and a backlit LCD display touchpad.
The water softener comes in a full package with all the parts you will need for a comprehensive water-softening system. The included standard brine tank can hold around 250 lbs of salt while the safety float prevents accidental overfilling.
The mineral tank is constructed of durable poly-tank, and it comes with a 10-year warranty.
It is also accompanied by instructions on the sanitizer pack, lubricant, and USB drive, as well as by a hardness test strip.
4. Tier1 48K Digital Water Softener
The Tier1 Everyday Series 48,000 water softener is purchased as a complete traditional system. You get a mineral tank pre-filled with 1.5 cubic feet of Cation Resin, brine tank and tubing, ¾-inch water line connections, control valve, and drain line.
You can also expect all the required mechanical parts for standard installations to pre-installed softener connections. Houses plumbed with CPVC, or PEX supply tubing may, however, need to use compression fittings.
The compact design of this model is among its most notable features. The system will save you around four feet in comparison to similar models in the market. The mineral and brine tanks measure 10 × 54 and 14 × 42-inch, respectively.
The water softener is equipped with a reliable digital meter control valve that makes operation easy. You can input your household size and water hardness during setup to boost the accuracy of the system.
These calculations will inform the regeneration cycle, and regeneration will take about two hours. The system is demand initiation, while the control valve features a propeller. You can expect to save on salt costs since it only regenerates water when there is a need.
The model will leave your water free of calcium and magnesium, and the soft water genrated will leave your skin supple and make your hair silky and shiny. You can also expect to use less soap and extend the life of your laundry.
5. Iron Pro 2 Water Softener & Filter Fleck
This system is equipped with fine mesh resin to extract hard water and ferrous iron and prevent rust stains. You do not have to install a pre-filter for sediment, sand, and rust, as this softener tackles all of these. If your water has manganese, you are no stranger to the black stains that show up in the tub or the shower. The Iron Pro 2 removes manganese up to 6 ppm to leave your appliances spotless.
The model operates on a meter-based regeneration basis instead of a timer-based one. The former is more economical and efficient, and it will save you a lot in resources like salt and water.
Among the features of the Iron Pro 2 is the Fleck 5600SXT digital control head, which is notable for its impressive track record. The digital touchpad control is user-friendly, makes operations easy, and ensures you have the important information at all times. The control system utilizes a turbine-electronic flow meter to accurately calculate the level of water in your system and promote more efficient use of water.
With a grain capacity of 64,000, the softener will fulfill the needs of a family of four with more to spare. It provides a maximum flow rate of 16 gallons per minute, and considering the average family uses 10 to 12, this rate should be enough for your household. You can use the bypass valve if you need more pressure for activities like watering your garden.
The control system allows for four modes of operation, including immediate meter regeneration, delayed meter regeneration, and delayed time clock regeneration. You also get 48-hour memory backup with the control system that ensures you still get notified of the softener’s operation even if power interrupted. The LCD-display with backlight makes it easy to read information at any time.
6. On The Go OTG4-DBLSOFT – Portable Water Softener
This system has been engineered by RV enthusiasts to tackle the challenges faced by RV’ers. The first thing you will notice about the model is its compact design. It stands at 22-inches high with a diameter of 9.5-inches. It is also quite portable, given its weight of 32 lbs with the resin softener medium.
The water softener is packed with user-friendly features. A flexible handle is fitted at the top to make it easy to carry the softener around. The 360-degree swivel head comes in handy when you want to easily connect and disconnect the model without having to turn the whole of it. You can also install the plug and travel cap to avoid spillage when traveling.
The softener features a large mouth at the top to avoid waste and spilling when refilling the system with salt. The resin tank is incredibly powerful, and it will complete regeneration in 30 minutes.
You will require only two boxes of standard table salt to initiate the cycle. The model is packaged with hardness test strips to run water tests continually. You get up to 1600 gallons of soft water or 40 days before regeneration is required.
The water softener comes with a simple 5-step installation procedure. Its pre-installed resin softener medium is designed to last 5 to 8 years if used appropriately.
7. Watts Water Technologies M7002 Water Softener
This model is marketed as a portable water softening solution in the RV market and to enthusiasts of leisure boating.
Its compact measurements of 91/2-inch in diameter and 21-inches in height make the model perfect for camping trips. Its full-cradle base makes the system suitable stable for travel. It also features a custom-designed flow valve to allow you to isolate the output line from the drain line so that you do not have to shut off the system during regeneration.
A flow restrictor is fitted in the drain line to maintain pressure during regeneration and increase the mixing effect of salt and resin.
You get hardness test strips with the model to monitor the output water of the system and determine when to initiate regeneration. It is also packaged with gold resin that will last many years if used correctly. The resin removes calcium, sodium, and iron.
Why Use a Water Softener for Well Water?
Hard water is mostly associated with the clogging up of plumbing fixtures around the home. This buildup also reduces the efficiency of your appliances. The benefits of having a water softener include:
Preserves the Life of Your Plumbing System
If your plumbing system is made of steel pipes, the buildup of limescale will mean a lot of money spent on constant repair.
The limescale eventually finds its way to the valves of appliances like dishwashers and washing machines and leads to leakages.
Repairing the plumbing system continually will be tasking for any homeowner, which is why a water softener is a critical system to invest in.
Reduce Water Bill
When using hard water, the pipes work harder to allow water to pass through, and the water bill goes up as a result. Most appliances also work more efficiently with soft water since the buildup caused by hard water produces a strain on their systems. Water heaters are among the fixtures that work best with soft water.
One way to know if you have hard water is if you notice higher-than-normal water bills. If you are unsure of the levels of hardness in your water, consult the local utility company for a water test. If it has minerals like calcium, it is time to purchase a water softener.
Avoid Stains around the house
When hard water evaporates, it leaves behind elements like magnesium that cause stains. If you notice any plaster-like deposits in areas like the faucet and bathtubs, it is time to invest in an efficient water softener.
Reduce Soap Usage
Hard water is notorious for not mixing well with soap. Soft water, on the other hand, creates lather easily with a lesser amount of soap.
Preserve the Quality of Clothes
Hard water often leads to faded clothes, and it will be harder to wash them because of the mineral content of the water. Your clothes will also feel hard and stiff when you wear them, which can get uncomfortable.
Getting a water softener will preserve the color and integrity of your clothes.
How Does a Well Water Softener Work?
Water softeners mostly consist of a wide brine tank and a taller water-softener tank. The two components are linked via a fill tube, while a discharge hose connects the softener tank to a drain pipe.
The brine tank is loaded with salt, and the softener tank operates with resin beads that are permanently fitted inside the tank. Water is first directed into the water-softener tank, and it flows across the beads.
The resin features a negative charge, and it attracts the positively-charged ions of elements like calcium. The beads hold onto the mineral deposits, and the water that drains out is free of water-hardening elements.
When the resin beads reach maximum capacity and cannot attract positive ions anymore, the system will have to be regenerated. The brine tank is important for regeneration, and an inbuilt computer calculates the level of water that is processed by the softener.
How to Choose the Right Water Softener for Well Water?
Your well water softener should adequately fulfill the soft water needs of your home. The specs to consider include:
Capacity
The resin capacity is one of the key areas to check when buying a water softener. You will need to know the average amount of water that your household uses, which is informed by the number of family members.
A large capacity means that you will get a lot of soft water before the system has to regenerate. A higher capacity also means that you will need a lot of salt for the brine tank.
Flow Rate
The flow rate of a water softener describes the amount of water it can supply per minute. The standard shower requires two gallons per minute, and the faucet needs one.
Running several appliances simultaneously means that you need high flow rates. You can look out for models with 10 GPM to get soft water running in your house.
Regeneration Setting
You can choose between a timed or metered water softener. The former will regenerate after several days based on the estimation of how much water you use. The disadvantage with this system is you can run out of soft water if you use more water than calculated before regeneration.
The system will also continue to regenerate using water and salt even if you are away for vacation. Most people prefer metered systems that regenerate after a particular amount of water has been used.
Conclusion
Every homeowner wants to preserve the quality of their home’s fixtures and save energy costs. Well-water softeners will do both, in addition to protecting you from the effects of using hard water.
You can choose models from reputable brands like Ecopure, Pentair, Whirlpool, Watts, and On The Go.