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There is no simple answer to that question – much of it depends upon where you live and your lifestyle. For example, some counties (especially in California) have banned water softeners, so you are limited to a salt-free conditioner, even if you don’t want one. However, in most parts of the country you are free to choose what you want. The answer to that question depends upon you. We would caution you that when deciding which one is right for you, you should deal with a water treatment company that sells more than just one type of product. At US Water, we sell salt-free conditioner and salt-based water softeners because there is not just ONE solution.
Some people are appalled that a water softener puts small amounts of sodium and chloride back into the environment, while failing to understand that if you don’t have a water softener (in a hard water area), you will put copious amounts soaps, detergents, phosphates, chemicals, lime removers and the like back into the environment.
Additionally, a water softener is proven to save tremendous amounts of energy each year for the average homeowner. Battelle Memorial Institute recently published this long-term study on the effects of soft water:
1. A salt-regenerated ion-exchange water softener or
2. A whole-house reverse osmosis system
Comparison of Salt-Regenerated Water Softeners and Salt-Free Water Conditioners (no matter what brand) – Estimate Based Upon Average Family of Four with Water of 15 to 20 GPG | ||
Feature or Benefit |
Salt-Regenerated Water Softener |
Salt-Free Water Conditioner |
Is this a Salt-Free Water Softener? |
NO |
NO |
Scale Prevention Efficiency |
99+% Efficient |
41% to 96% Efficient |
Electricity Used per Year |
$1.00 to $3.00 |
$0 to $25.00 |
Water Efficiency |
96+% Efficient |
100% Efficient |
Operating Cost Per Year |
$60.00 to $80.00 |
$25.00 to $225.00 |
Soap Savings |
$350.00+ |
$0 |
Whiter Whites, Brighter Colors? |
YES |
NO |
Slick Feeling in Shower? |
YES |
NO |
Impact on Skin |
Eliminates calcium and magnesium which forms curd and clogs pores of the skin |
Calcium and magnesium reacts with soap to form curd, not suds, which is irritating to skin |
Spots on Dishwasher Dishes? |
NO |
YES |
Yearly Energy Savings |
$200.00 to $300.00 |
Not Clear |
Removes Chlorine & Chemicals? |
Selected Ones Can |
NO |
Environmental Impact |
Some sodium and chloride are added to the environment, but chemicals, phosphates, soaps, cleansers, lime removers and detergents are reduced by 50%+ |
No sodium or chlorides are put back into the environment, but added chemicals, phosphates, soaps, cleansers, lime removers and detergents are added in significant amounts |
The long and the short of it is that a water softener offers the most benefits and is probably the only appliance you can put in your home that actually saves more than it costs (soap savings, energy savings, plumbing & appliance savings and clothing savings) and makes life much better. Which is right for you?