Is It Better To Install A Water Softener Only For Hot Water?

The answer is yes. In hard water places, households should consider getting a water softener to maintain the integrity of the local water supply.

It isn't easy to eliminate the salt required by water softeners, but experts from one of the best furnace companies in Calgary suggest three simple measures that can save you money on salt, lower your water bill and make municipal operations easier.

Installing a softener only on your hot water supply will mean you use less salt contract and cut your wastewater consumption in half, while still getting great results from your dishwasher which usually runs with hot water.

Your piping and heater won't be affected either. On top of that, if you get a refund from your municipality, then it's definitely worth considering this option.

We have an awesome article on the top UK's water softeners here!

What Do You Mean By Hard Water?

When you hear the term "hard water", what it really means is that the water has a high mineral content - specifically calcium build-up and magnesium - before it reaches the municipal supply.

This might sound like a good thing, but what it actually leads to is limescale buildup in pipes, reducing water pressure and flow while also deteriorating any appliances that use water for their operation.

In order to avoid this problem, many people install water softeners in their homes. These devices remove calcium, magnesium, and other minerals from drinking cold water, providing a softer and cleaner drinking experience for those living in hard-water areas.

By only installing a water softener for hot-water needs alone, you can cut down on cost, although it does restrict effectiveness when it comes to preventing limescale issues with appliances.

Hard Water Solutions

Hard water, which contains an excessive amount of minerals and can cause various problems with plumbing line fixtures and appliances, is no fun. But luckily, there are solutions available to help make the gallons of water in your home soft, making cleaning much easier and your home more comfortable.

One great solution is installing a water softener, which removes minerals from the sodium-rich water to make it more gentle on your pipes and fixtures. But should you install a community water softener for hot water only? The answer really depends on how hard the water is in your home.

If your municipality provides a free report detailing what’s in the local water, then you can use that information to decide whether you need to install just one type of water softener or both hot and cold.

Test Your Home's Water

Testing your home's water is the first step to determining if you need to install a suitable water softener for hot water only. There are two measurement scales used to measure hardness, grains per gallon (GPG) and parts per million (PPM).

It's important to remember that it's not just any calcium or magnesium presence in the water that matters, but the concentration level of these minerals that could potentially cause damage to your plumbing. If you find that levels of calcium or magnesium are 7 GPG or 120 PPM or above, it's marked as hard water officially.

If this sounds like your home currently has hard water, don't fret! Many other people are facing the same issue and looking into installing a softener system specifically for hot water.

What Is The Function Of A Water Softener?

A water softener functions by exchanging sodium ions for the minerals that cause water to be hard, such as traces of calcium build and magnesium. Through a process known as ion exchange, the hard minerals are replaced with sodium ions, leaving you with soft water.

The water softener typically consists of two tanks. The first tank contains resin beads saturated with sodium which attract and replace the small particles in the hard water when it passes through.

As more hard minerals attach to the resin beads, less sodium is available, so periodically a “regeneration” cycle must take place where salt-rich water from the second tank is pumped into the first tank to restore it back to peak performance.

After this process occurs, the first tank begins working again to soften household water that passes through it and ensure you have access to clean and usable soft water in your home.

Different Types of Water Softeners

When it comes to choosing a water softener for your home, you have several different options available. You can install a fully automatic system or a manual process that will require more frequent attention, depending on the level of sophistication of the appliance.

The size of the water softener should also be taken into consideration - experts recommend taking into account the number of household members and daily water usage when making calculations. If you're looking for an even higher degree of protection, you could also look into installing a water purifier as well.

No matter which type of automatic water softener system you choose, they all work to ensure your cold water taps are at desired levels and provide your home and family with clean, safe drinking water.

What Are The Advantages Of Water Softening

Installing a water softener has many advantages. First, it will help prevent the build-up of minerals in your pipes, fixtures, and hot water heaters. This can extend the overall life of some of your appliances by reducing damage caused by mineral buildup.

In addition, installing a water softener can also reduce or even prevent spots on glassware caused by minerals. And lastly, it helps to decrease soap films and detergent curds in sinks, bathtubs, and washing machines.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Home Water Softening

One of the key disadvantages of home water softening is that it can corrode your pipes, leading to elevated levels of lead and copper in your drinking water. In addition, if the system isn't regularly tested and maintained, it may not be working properly which could result in even more contaminated water.

Finally, salt-based water softening has negative impacts on the environment due to the amount of salt used for the regeneration of the softener beads, as well as all of the wastewater produced during this process.