Home Water Softeners
The Benefits
The purpose of a water softener is to remove scale-forming minerals from the water, which are magnesium and calcium, present as calcium carbonate (CaCO3), magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2), and calcium sulfate (CaSO4).. The process of removal is possible through an ion-exchange process with the resin found inside of a water softener.
How does a water softener work?
For those of you who like to lead with “how does...?”, water softeners use tiny cross-linked polymers (called resin, shown below) that are specifically formulated to have exchange sites for ions (specifically sodium, calcium, and magnesium ions). Think of a ball with thousands of spikes, and at the end of each spike there is a sodium ion (to start at least).
Initially, sodium ions sit on the exchange sites. Because calcium and magnesium ions have more affinity for being attached the the resin exchange sites than a sodium ion, the sodium ion exchanges with them and the ion resin bead now holds onto the magnesium/calcium ions.
Why is Hard Water Bad?
The Technical Reason
Have you ever seen white deposits on the heating exchanger in your hot water tank (tank or tankless)? This is a sign that your water is scaling at the high temperature areas of your home heating appliances, and reduces the ability of the water heater to provide hot water to your home.
A scaled electrical element from a tank hot water heater
Further, if you have any pumps installed (sump pumps or sewage ejectors), you run the risk of scaling the pumps for these systems and causing water to back-up into your basement (which is never a good thing!).
The Not-so-Technical Reason
Soft water is generally the easier drinking type of water and also comes with many other benefits (outlined below).
Regenerating a Water Softener
Since water softener resin will reach a point during operation where all of the resin beads contain calcium and magnesium ions (see below), the softener will need to periodically regenerate to allow for consistently soft water. The process of regeneration calls for the use of pure salt pellets to be mixed in water to essentially flush away all of the calcium/magnesium ions on the resin beads and recharge them with sodium. The regeneration takes anywhere from 60-90 minutes to complete and requires minimal salt usage (a few bags a month for most households). If the softener is installed correctly, this is usually the only expense that is incurred for owning a water softener.
Benefits of installing a water softener
Here are some of the benefits of installing a water softener into your home:
Your soap and shampoo will lather better.
Your hair and skin will feel noticeably cleaner, softer, and not as dry. Hands will feel softer and look better.
No soap scum or mineral deposits to clean off sinks, showers, tubs and toilets.
Clothes will be softer, cleaner, whiter and brighter. Plus they will last longer. (Using soft water increases the life of clothing, towels and linens up to 33%).
Dishes will clean up more easily, and be spot free, without the gray film glasses get when etched by mineral-laden water.
Water-using appliances will last longer and run better. Why? Because hot water heaters, washing machines and dishwashers used with hard water can wear out 30% faster.
Keeps heat exchange surfaces clean (if you have a boiler or tankless/on-demand water heating unit) so you can maintain proper energy efficiency in your systems.
If you have a sewage ejector installed in your home (many new homes and homes with underpinning require these) the pump that is used will avoid a scale build-up that may back-up the drains from your home.
Where do you install a water softener in a home?
Water softeners are installed in-line with your water supply line from the city (after the water meter). Since the water meter is, more often than not, found in a mechanical room that is also where the softener is installed.
Do water softeners make any noise?
Since water softeners are simply allowing the city-supplied water to flow through it, the only noise that can be heard is the water that flows through it!
The Cost of Installing a Water Softener
This depends on a few factors like the amount of plumbing fixtures, size of your water line, number of people living in your home, and if there is unobstructed access to drains and electrical outlets where your water meter/main water line is located. It would be safe to budget around $1000 to $2000 for the supply and installation of a water softener in your home!
Any more Questions?
Feel free to reach out to a BVM Contracting Renovation Consultant to learn more about if a water softener is the right choice for your household!
ABOUT BVM CONTRACTING
BVM Contracting is a full-service General Contractor or Home Builder located in Toronto. We provide home renovation and building services for major home renovations (kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations, basement renovations, full interior renovations, home additions, and new home construction). Our goal is to help guide our clients through the process of renovating their home, from concept to completion.
Further than providing General Contracting and Project Management for major home renovations, we also offer value-added services such as renovation financing, renovation rebate consultations and services, building permit and design services, smart home installation services, and real estate investor services.
To learn more about our offering by visiting our services page.