Home Water Softeners, Salt Free & Water Conditioners Compared

Home Water Softeners, Salt Free Water Softeners & Water Conditioners Compared
Searching for a water softener can be somewhat confusing at first especially when you do not have the right information. Whether you are looking for a new water softener to replace your old salt water softener or looking to be a brand new water softener owner, it is vital that you keep up to date with the most accurate information about water softener & water conditioning systems.
This site was created to give you all the accurate information right at your fingertips so that you can make the best choice for your next water softener system.
Is Hard Water A Problem In Your Home?water softener reviews
Hard water is almost a problem in every home across the United States. It is reported that close to 85% of homes in the US have hard water. The reason for this is because hard water minerals are naturally in our water. Hard water minerals such as calcium and magnesium are vital to keeping us healthy. So, of course hard water is a huge annoyance, these minerals are needed for us to survive.
If you have experienced hard water then you know the constant headaches such as:

  • Plumbing problems
  • Limescale buildup
  • Limescale on facets and shower doors
  • Water heater and appliances not working efficiently
  • Hard water feeling on your skin & hair

These are just a fraction of the problems that hard water causes.
What Is The Best Way To Get Rid Of Hard Water?
There are many different types of water softeners on the market and there are pros and cons with every system. However, there is one water softener that we recommend over the rest and that is salt free water softeners. While 20 years ago there was no such thing as a salt free water softener, salt free systems or often called water conditioners are becoming the go-to water softener for the majority of homeowners in the US. Let us go over the different types of water softeners and the pros and cons for each.
Salt Free Water Softener Pros:

  • No maintenance
  • More inexpensive than other softeners
  • 100% environmentally friendly
  • No monthly costs
  • Easy to install
  • Highly effective at removing hard water
  • Keeps the good minerals in

Salt Free Water Softener Cons:

  • Takes time to remove buildup in pipes
  • Does not actually “soften” the hard water

Salt Water Softener Pros:

  • Highly Effective

Salt Water Softener Cons

  • Lots of water wasted
  • Monthly salt costs
  • Monthly maintenance
  • High cost of the system
  • Non-reusable
  • Bad for the environment
  • Eliminates good minerals our bodies need
  • Slimy feeling on skin and bad water taste

Salt Free Water Softener Cons
How Does A Salt Free Water Softener Or Water Conditioner Work?
A salt free water softener works completely different than a normal salt water softener. A normal salt water softener will remove the hard water minerals completely while the salt free softener changes the chemical makeup of the hard water minerals. The hard water minerals are still in the water but do not act as hard water meaning that they cannot attach to pipes. They minerals are suspended and flush through the system without wanting to attach to anything. Those healthy minerals are still in the water but are not able to act as hard water.
This process is typically called Template Assisted Crystallization. The hard water minerals are turned into crystals and essentially are not hard water minerals anymore. There is no water flushing and there is no backwashing.
Installing A Water Softener
installing a water softener can seem like a daunting task and many people end up not buying a water softener because they think that it is too difficult. Typically, every homeowner has two options when deciding how to install a water softener or water conditioner. The first is to install it yourself. If you have some handy experience, you could easily install the system. However, if you are not very handy such as myself, they the best option is to hire a plumber to install the system for you. The cost for installation will start around $300. Hiring a plumber to install the system will alleviate the worry and hassle.
Things To Look For When Searching For A Salt Free Water Softener Company
The water softener industry is very tricky. There are so many options, lots of gimmicks and tons of sales people telling you that your product is the best. Sometimes it is almost impossible to know which system is the best but there are a few things to look for when trying to decide on a salt free water softener or water conditioner.

  • 90 day money-back guarantee
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Quality reviews
  • Good pricing
  • No hassle return policy
  • Great customer support
  • High quality parts

Of course the only way to find out if a company does offer the above is to start calling them. The #1 thing that a company should have is a 90 day money back guarantee. If the company believes in their product, they should offer 90 days for the customer to try it out. If a company does not offer that, run for the hills. That water softener or water conditioner probably isn’t going to live up to the expectations.
What Is The Best Salt Free Water Softener On The Market?
While there are some great salt water softeners on the market, we don’t believe in salt systems because of the harm to the environment and constant maintenance so we really cannot offer advice on where to get a salt water softener. However, if you would like to learn more about salt free water softeners & water conditioners, we highly urge you to click here to check out Evoclear Water Systems. They offer great customer support, great products & awesome prices.