What’s a Water Softening System?
A water softener removes the calcium and magnesium ions that make water hard by replacing them with salt/sodium via ion exchange. Look for a National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)-certified water softener with a system monitor. This will indicate when salt is low and ensure you maintain optimum levels for soft water.
How to Choose a Water Softener
Here are the key steps to choosing a water softener:
- Determine the level of hardness of your water in grains per gallon by contacting your utility provider or, if you have a well, by a water test.
- Multiply the number of people of your home by their approximate daily water usage (80 gallons per person is a good starting point).
- Multiply this result by the grain level of hardness of your water. This tells you the necessary capacity of a water softener for your home.
- Shop for a water softener system that meets your needs and has the convenience features you want. For example, a water softener with a system monitor lets you know when salt is low so you can maintain optimum levels for soft water.
Types of Water Softener Systems
Here’s a brief overview of the most common types of water softener systems available, so you can determine which type meets your needs.
Ion-Exchange Water Softeners
Ion-exchange water softeners work by replacing minerals that contribute to water hardness — such as magnesium and calcium — with sodium. These minerals naturally have a positive electrical charge. When they come into contact with special resin beads contained in the pressurized tank that have a negative charge, excess magnesium and calcium stay behind, while sodium is added to the water. The water softener regularly begins regeneration where it washes the beads to flush out the collected minerals and replenish the sodium. After several years, the resin beads need to be replaced.
Keep in mind, water softeners add trace amounts of sodium, which may not be acceptable for individuals who need to limit their sodium intake for medical reasons.
If you have a water softener installed to make your water softer, you typically treat your hot water. Most people leave cold taps hard to reduce salt intake in drinking water and cooking. If you’re on a restricted sodium diet, check with your physician before installing a water softener in your home.
Dual-Tank Water Softeners
A dual-tank water softener is an ion-exchange device that has two resin tanks, so one tank is always available while the other is regenerating. This means that softer water is available 24 hours a day. For large households that use a lot of water or even smaller households in which residents use water around the clock — for example, if some members work normal business hours while others work the night shift — a dual-tank softener is an ideal choice. These models are more expensive than single-tank units and are larger, so they take up more room.
Salt Water Softener Systems vs. Salt-Free Water Softeners
Salt-free water softeners aren’t traditional water softeners since they don’t actually remove minerals that cause hardness. Instead, they condition the water to minimize the effects of the minerals.
Some salt-free water conditioners use potassium chloride to crystallize the magnesium and potassium in hard water and prevent it from forming deposits. Others use citric acid to bind with the minerals, reducing deposits and minimizing the effects of hard water on your skin and hair. While they reduce the effects of hard water without adding sodium to your water, they may not handle all the negative effects as efficiently as a traditional water softener system.
Do I Need a Water Softener or a Water Filter?
Water filters and water softeners solve different problems. Decide which one you need for your home according to the problem you need to solve.
Drinking Water Filters Treat Improve Water at a Single Faucet
Drinking water filters improve water quality for drinking and cooking, but they don’t soften water. Consider adding an under-sink, counter-top or faucet-mount water filter to your kitchen if your water:
- Tastes bad
- Has an unpleasant odor
- Has contaminants
Whole-House Water Filters Work for All Faucets
Whole-house water filters treat many of the same issues drinking water filters handle and while they don’t soften water, they improve water quality for the whole house. Consider a whole-house filter if your water:
- Has excess chlorine
- Contains sediment
- Has an unpleasant taste or odor
See our guide to water filters to get details on different types and decide which is best for your home.
Water Softener Systems Treat Hard Water in Your Home
Water softeners reduce the hardness level of your home water. A water softener is helpful if your water:
- Creates deposits or scale on fixtures and tile
- Reduces the effectiveness of soap and detergent
- Dries out your skin and hair
A home water test helps you understand water quality issues so you know how to treat them. Our guide on testing home water shows you how easy it is to test water in your home.
Find The Best Water Softener for Your Home at Lowe’s
We can help you find a water softener system that meets the needs of your home. Shop water softeners on Lowes.com by capacity and household side and find everything you need to keep a water softener running efficiently. You can also learn about our custom water filtration and water softening services. Or stop by your local Lowe’s, where a Red Vest associate can help you find the right water softener system and tell you about our installation services.
Water Softener FAQ
Use the answers to these common questions to help you decide which water softener system is best for your home
What Does the Grain Capacity of a Water Softener Mean?
The rated capacity of a softener is the maximum number of grains of water hardness the unit can remove prior to regeneration.
How Is the Hardness of Water Measured?
The hardness of water is measured in grains per gallon (gpg). One grain of hardness is equal to 1/7,000 pound of rock. Your municipal water supply may measure water hardness in milligrams (mg), liters (L) or parts per million (ppm). One gpg is equal to 17.1 mg/L or 17.1 ppm.
How Do I Determine My Water’s Hardness?
You can call your municipality if you use city water or purchase a water test kit.
How Big of a Water Softener Do I Need?
To determine the appropriate water softener size for your home, multiply the number of people in your home by the gallons of water they use each day (80 gallons per person is the average). Multiply that number by the grains of hardness in your water to figure out how many grains need to be removed each day. Then, shop for a water softener equipped to handle the load.
Check the manufacturer’s specifications for the exact grain capacity needed for your situation, but here are general guidelines for choosing a water softener:
- Households with three people or fewer typically need a softener with a grain capacity of around 20,000 units.
- Households with four or more people typically need a softener with a grain capacity of 30,000 units or more.
What’s Regeneration?
Over time, the resin bed inside the water softener becomes coated with hardness particles. When this happens, the softener goes into its regeneration cycle. During regeneration, the salt in the tank is mixed with incoming water to rid the resin bed of these hardness particles. After regeneration, the unit is ready to provide a steady stream of soft water to your home again.
What Type of Water Softener Salt Should I Use?
A clean pellet or nugget-style water softener salt is recommended. Other types of salt are available for specialized applications.
Does the Recharge Water From the Softener Harm My Septic System?
When the water softener is working efficiently and installed correctly, water softener recharge water — the water the softener uses to regenerate the resin beads — shouldn’t affect septic system operation or drain field soil percolation.
How Much Water Does Each Recharge Use?
The amount of water a water softener uses depends on the size of the unit, but in general a water softener can discharge from 25 to 65 gallons with each regeneration cycle.
How Much Electricity Does a Water Softener Use?
Standard operation to power the display and timers on a water softener can use as little electricity as a digital alarm clock. Regeneration requires power for mechanical pumps, which will consume more power. The total amount of electricity a water softener system uses depends on factors like water hardness, family size and how often the system must regenerate.
What Are the Benefits of Water Softeners for Hair and Skin?
Using a water softener with the correct grain capacity can noticeably benefit your hair, skin and nails. Soap and shampoo can react with the excess minerals in hard water, which can prevent them from lathering as intended. This means they can leave a soapy film on your body, making you feel less clean and also stripping your skin and hair of moisture.
How Much Is a Water Softener?
Water softeners are available within a wide price range — from around $200 to $3,000, depending on your needs. Before you begin browsing, it’s helpful to assess your finances and determine a budget. This will allow you get the best softener at a price you can afford.
