Do Magnetic Water Softeners Really Work?

Last Updated on December 23, 2022 by Simon

Do Magnetic Water Softeners Really Work?

If properly installed according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, they can be just as effective as a traditional salt-based system when it comes to eliminating hard water. Magnetic Water Softeners are designed to prevent hard-scale buildup throughout water pipes and fixtures without the use of chemicals or salt.

Have a read up on our best water softeners in the UK here!

When it comes to magnetic water softening systems, it’s no surprise that magnetic water softeners are an increasingly popular choice for many looking for an affordable and easy-to-install system.

Not to mention, there is a noteworthy price difference between salt-based water softening systems and anti-scale magnetic treatment systems. Well, while similar in operation, they do differ significantly in terms of efficiency compared to traditional salt-based water softeners.

How Does A Magnetic Water Softener Work?

A Magnetic Water Softener works by using powerful magnets to draw out the hard water ions before they can enter your plumbing system. These magnets are attached to your pipes, allowing the hard water to be drawn out of the water flow.

Then, any potentially damaging minerals or calcium deposits that could accumulate in your pipes over time are prevented from entering and potentially damaging them.

The result is softer, cleaner water that won't damage your pipes while still retaining all the beneficial properties of the original source water.

Pros Of Using A Magnetic Water Softener

When it comes to water softening systems, magnetic water softeners absolutely have their pros.

  • They are lower in cost than some other options on the market, including salt-based water softeners. This means you can save money upfront when buying this kind of system.
  • In addition, high-quality magnetic devices for softeners can last for up to 40 years–that’s a long life for any kind of appliance!
  • Magnetic water softeners don’t use salt–it won’t be added to your drinking or cooking water, and also won’t be found in plants watered with that softener. That makes them one of the healthier options on the market, as salt can lead to health problems.
  • It’s important to keep in mind that Florida presents some unique challenges when it comes to chemical water softening systems, but generally speaking, a magnetic water system should be enough for most family needs.

Cons Of Using A Magnetic Water Softener

The cons of using a Magnetic Water Softener should be considered when deciding if this system is right for you and your home.

  • It's important to point out that these systems don't actually remove minerals in water; they simply change their chemical composition to limit scaling.
  • They don't work in places where water sits for more than 48 hours - like your hot water heater - so even with a magnetic water softener, you may still end up with some hard-water buildup.
  • These kinds of water softeners are not as efficient as some of the other available options because the water must pass within range of the embedded magnetic coils in order for it to be softened. Which means that some hard water will still get through.
  • And unfortunately, there is little scientific evidence that these systems are actually effective at any form of water softening.

Are Magnetic Water Softeners Efficient?

When it comes to water softening, we all want something efficient. Magnetic water softeners are often seen as an alternative to chemical water softeners and they have been known to generate electrical charges in calcium carbonate particles - but is this enough?

Research conducted on the effects of magnetic fields on scale appears inconclusive, with no definitive answer available. As such, most water treatment specialists remain unsure of the effectiveness of using non-salt water softeners for preventing scale formation.

Therefore, until more conclusive scientific research is conducted, it remains difficult to determine whether or not magnetic water softeners are indeed efficient when it comes to inhibiting scale formation.

Magnetic Water Softeners vs Salt-Based Water Softeners

The debate between salt-based and magnetic water softeners has become more heated over the years. While both systems offer a way to soften hard water, each offers different benefits and drawbacks.

Salt-based water softeners

Salt-based water softeners use an ion exchange process called "softening" to replace hardness ions with sodium ions in order to completely eliminate water hardness. This is accomplished with resin beads contained within salt-based water softener systems.

After multiple uses, the resin beads must be regenerated by adding softener salt to the brine tank, utilizing time clock water softeners or metered softening systems which can be either electric or non-electric.

Magnetic water softeners

On the other hand, magnetic water softeners rely on magnetic fields to draw hard water ions before they can pass through the tubbing of your plumbing system rather than adding anything to it. The magnets are placed on pipes in order to achieve this effect.

One major perk of these systems is that they do not utilize any added chemical processes like traditional house water softeners which may require more maintenance and salt replacements over time. They also have easy installation, affordable costs, and no maintenance needed for upkeep - setting them apart from traditional salt water softeners.

Problems With Magnetic Water Softeners

When it comes to magnetic water softeners, there are a number of significant problems. Firstly, the field of magnetism is incredibly complex and it can be difficult to predict how magnets will affect ions in water.

This means that it is almost impossible to tell whether such a system would truly work before buying one. Furthermore, there is no standard form of magnetic water softener on the market which makes selecting one even more challenging.

To make matters worse, most scientific studies conducted on these products have been inconclusive. Even though some promising effects on pipe scale were found in isolated cases, they made little difference in the grand scheme of things.

These issues mean that magnetic water softeners may not be worth acquiring as the risk that they won't provide any meaningful benefit could prove too high

Alternatives to Magnetic Softeners

If you're looking for alternatives to magnetic water softeners, there are several strong and proven options.

  • One alternative to water softening is the traditional ion-exchange water softener that uses salt, which has a long history of eliminating hard water. Another great option is the Aquasana 99 Contaminants system, which has also been proven to work.
  • For those who don't want to use either salt or chemicals, there are also salt-free softeners. These can be called descalers and they have a solid track record of preventing scale buildup in your plumbing.

It's important to note that these alternatives will cost more than a magnetic water softener, but with them, you can at least be sure that they will do the job properly.

Article Written & Fact Checked By

Nathan

My name is Nathan Walters and I used to be a Mystery Shopper in my previous life. I love pizza, my 3 cats and fine wines! I also have a strange yet satisfying addiction to Netflix binges :) I am the Director of Best Reviews. I'm blessed to have a team of professionals in most fields who review and test products. Feel free to send me a message using the contact page!
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