Water Softener Guide

Hard Water: The Problem

Hard water, characterized by a high mineral content, particularly calcium and magnesium, can cause numerous issues in homes. These problems affect everything from household appliances and plumbing to personal health and cleaning routines.

Common Problems Caused by Hard Water:

• Limescale & White Scale Deposits: Accumulation on surfaces, fixtures, and fittings, leading to unsightly marks and reduced efficiency.
• Blocked Pipes, Taps & Showerheads: Mineral buildup restricts water flow and can cause damage to plumbing systems and fixtures.
• High Energy Bills & Poor Heating: Scale deposits in boilers and heating systems reduce efficiency, leading to increased energy consumption and higher bills.
• Eczema, Dry Skin and Hair: Minerals in hard water can strip natural oils, leading to dry, itchy skin and dull, brittle hair.
• Damaged & Broken Appliances: Scale buildup inside appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and kettles can cause premature wear and tear, requiring more frequent replacements.
• Expensive Cleaning Products: The need for frequent and intensive cleaning to remove limescale stains consumes time and requires specialized, often costly, cleaning agents.
• Boiler Damages & Issues: Persistent limescale buildup can lead to serious boiler problems, resulting in expensive call-out fees and repairs.

Illustration: A distressed figure with steam rising from their head, symbolizing the frustration caused by hard water.

A Water Softener: The Solution

Installing a water softener effectively addresses the problems associated with hard water by removing the minerals responsible. This leads to a range of benefits that improve daily life and protect your home.

Illustration: A happy, energetic person with arms raised in celebration, signifying the positive impact of a water softener.

Benefits of Soft Water:

• Removes Limescale & White Stains: Enjoy cleaner surfaces, fixtures, and fittings with no more constant cleaning.
• Unblocks Pipes, Taps & Showerheads: Protect your fixtures and maintain optimal water pressure throughout your home.
• Reduces Energy Bills by 20-64%: By increasing heating efficiency, soft water systems contribute to significant savings on energy costs.
• Cures Eczema, Dry Skin & Hair: Soft water naturally treats skin and hair conditions, leaving them feeling softer and healthier.
• Protects & Prolongs Appliances: Prevent damage and significantly increase the lifespan of your household appliances.
• Reduces Cleaning & Laundry Costs: Eliminate the need for harsh cleaning products and reduce washing powder usage by up to 50%.
• Protects Your Boiler from Damages: Prevent permanent limescale damage to your boiler and heating system.

The Facts: Everything You Need to Know

Understanding how water softeners work and what to look for is key to making an informed decision.

How Does a Water Softener Work?

A water softener works by filtering out hard minerals from your main water supply. It contains an internal resin that extracts these minerals. Once the resin is saturated, the system uses sodium ions to clean and refresh itself through a process called regeneration.

What Size Softener Do I Need?

The required size of a water softener primarily depends on the number of bathrooms in your home and the number of occupants. Homes with two or more bathrooms typically require a twin-tank system. For homes with four or more bathrooms, a larger capacity water softener may be necessary.

Single Tank vs Twin Tank: What's the Difference?

Twin-tank softeners are generally more efficient and offer higher flow rates, providing a continuous 24/7 supply of soft water. Single-tank systems can sometimes be smaller and have lower flow rates. A key difference is that single-tank systems will stop producing soft water while they regenerate.

Electric vs Non-Electric: Which is Best?

Electric water softeners can be single-tank systems and require a constant electricity supply, which can affect energy usage. Most electric systems require manual timer setting for regeneration, which is not always automated or based on actual water usage. They may also incur an additional charge for 24-month testing. Non-electric systems do not require electricity, offering a simpler and potentially more energy-efficient solution.

What to Look For

The Type of System:

Consider whether a twin-tank or single-tank system is best for your needs. Twin-tank systems are ideal for homes with two or more bathrooms, offering greater efficiency and suitability for family use, though they are generally more expensive. Also, consider if you need a High Flow (HF) system, required for high-flow and combi boilers, or a High Efficiency (HE) system, suitable for low-flow gravity-fed systems.

The Flow Rate:

The flow rate indicates the maximum amount of water that can pass through the system per minute. For a standard home, a flow rate of 40-60 litres per minute is recommended. A softener with a low flow rate may lead to a noticeable drop in water pressure at your kitchen and bathroom outlets.

Efficiency, Salt & Water Usage:

An efficient system is crucial for managing overall running costs. It's important to compare systems based on their regeneration time, salt efficiency, and the amount of salt and water used per regeneration cycle.

The Warranty:

Price and warranty are key indicators of quality. While cheaper systems might seem appealing, always look for a good warranty. A low-cost machine might end up costing more in the long run due to higher running costs or the need for premature replacement if damaged.

A Third-Party Certification:

Ensure any system you purchase has a third-party certification, such as WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) certification, to guarantee compliance and quality.

The Best Brands

The market offers various water softener brands, but Harvey Water Softeners is recognized as the most popular and best brand in the UK. Harvey pioneered the twin-tank design, integrating the most up-to-date technology and non-electric systems.

Harvey systems are available online and exclusively through a dealer network, meaning only specific distributors can sell certain models.

Why Are They the Best?

Harvey models are known for their high quality, with systems designed to last 10-20 years. Their softeners hold third-party certification, ensuring reliability and durability, and most come with a 10-year warranty. Although they may have a higher initial cost, Harvey systems typically last twice as long as those from other brands and offer the lowest running costs, paying for themselves over time.

Harvey vs Kinetico

Many consumers compare Harvey and Kinetico systems. The Harvey TwinTec S4 is noted for having the best specifications among domestic softeners when compared to the Kinetico Premier Compact. Both brands offer similar warranties, but Kinetico systems start at £1695, whereas Harvey systems are more cost-effective at £1149.

The Best Models

For 2, 3 & 4 Bathroom Homes

For 2 Bathroom Homes

For 5+ Bathroom Homes

What Are The Running Costs?

Unlike electric systems, non-electric water softeners do not require electricity, meaning there are no additional energy costs. The primary running costs are associated with salt, which is essential for the softener to regenerate. A consistent supply of salt is needed for this process.

It is important to check the salt efficiency and water consumption of any system. High salt usage (grams per kilogram) and low salt efficiency will result in more frequent salt replacement, increasing long-term costs.

An efficient system typically uses 300-400g of salt and 17-23L of water per regeneration. The size and capacity of the water softener can influence this; larger systems designed for more bathrooms may require more salt but regenerate less often than standard-sized units.

How Much Is Salt?

Standard block salt usually comes in packs of two 4kg blocks, priced between £7-£8. Tablet salt is typically sold in 10-25kg bags for around £20 per bag.

Salt usage also depends on water consumption and the number of occupants. As a general guideline, salt usage is approximately one block per person per month.

Is a Water Softener Worth The Cost?

While a water softener can seem like a significant home investment initially, a good quality system can last 10-20 years. Furthermore, soft water can lead to savings of over £400 per year.

Savings on Household Bills Include:

• Reducing energy bills by 20-64% through increased heating efficiency.
• Increasing the lifetime of home appliances by up to 50%, preventing costly damages and replacements.
• Reducing time & money spent on cleaning, by requiring fewer cleaning products and eliminating the need for expensive descalers.
• Using 50% less washing powder.
• Requiring less shampoo & showering products.
• Resulting in using less water overall in the home.

Considering these benefits, a good quality water softener is a worthwhile investment that pays for itself.