Installing a water softener in an area that receives hard water is a smart investment. Using hard water is unpleasant, inconvenient, and expensive, so a water softener is a bargain in comparison. These systems are unassuming and effective and they don’t require much in the way of maintenance. A water softener should last 10-20 years and systems that are regularly maintained will be at the upper end of that age range. But, like all complex systems, a water softener will eventually start to fail and show its age. The repairs may become more frequent, and there may not be sufficient soft water to meet the needs of your home. At this time, it’s natural to think about water softener upgrades and the factors that shape that decision will be the focus of this article.
An Unobtrusive Appliance
One of the main reasons why a water softener upgrade may be overlooked for some time is their placement and operational needs. These systems are typically located in a basement, garage, closet, or other out of the way location. They work quietly in the background, and the regeneration cycle triggers on a timed or demand-initiated system. Aside from adding salt to the brine tank or dealing with an occasional salt bridge, there isn’t much to do with a water softener on a daily basis. It’s only when the water becomes hard again that most people contact a local water treatment specialist for advice. So, the regular maintenance needs tend to be overlooked, and people tend to forget when they installed the system. This is especially true if people move into a place that already has a water softener installed.
3 Factors to Make an Upgrade Decision
In many cases, it’s obvious that an upgrade is required. The water softener may be stacking up repairs and/or it may have stopped working entirely. Perhaps you’ve scheduled some essential maintenance or a repair, and the technician advised you that it’s time to put your trusty water softener out to pasture. That said, there are three factors to consider that may help you to make the decision:
1. The Water Softener Effectiveness
If you regularly add salt and monitor the salt levels in an ion exchange water softener, you should have soft water available unless the system is regenerating. During a regeneration cycle, the system goes into a bypass mode as the media tank is flushed. So, if you’re getting up in the middle of the night and you take a shower, you will be showering in hard water. When the regeneration cycle is completed, the water passes through the media tank again for softening. This is why the regeneration cycle usually takes place at night when most people are asleep, and the demand for soft water is lower. But, if the water is not as soft as it once was this may indicate that the resin media beads which facilitate the ion exchange process have lost their power. There are resin cleaning products that can supplement the cleaning that takes place during the regeneration cycle. In some cases, these cleaning products can restore a lot of the lost softening performance at a minimal cost. But, eventually, the resin beads will wear out and they will be useless for the ion exchange process. At this point, some people consider a complete resin bead replacement to fix the problem. This is not cost effective and it makes better sense to invest in a new and more efficient water softening system instead.
2. The Age of Your Water Softener
Like most complex appliances and systems, the water softener will lose some efficacy and efficiency with every passing year of use from new. These systems work hard every day to make the water soft, and that takes a toll over time. The average lifespan of a water softener is 10-20 years, give or take. A decade of difference may seem like a huge age range. But, there are a large number of water softener manufacturers, and models on the market, and some are better than others. The discount systems that you may find at a big box store on sale are simply not as good as those supplied by reputable manufacturers. Another important factor in water softener longevity is regular essential maintenance to keep the system working at peak efficiency. Well maintained equipment tends to last years longer than systems that are neglected. So, if your water softener is reaching or has passed that 10 or 15 year mark and the performance is subpar it may be time to consider a replacement.
3. The Regeneration Style
The regeneration cycle is required for two reasons. First, the brine flushes the mineral ions from the surface of the resin media beads to prevent clogging, which reduces the efficiency. The second reason is to coat the beads with a fresh layer of salt (sodium or potassium) to create a positive charge for the ion exchange process. The frequency and timing of the regeneration cycle are controlled by a control valve.
There are two different control systems to trigger the regeneration cycle: time or demand-initiated. Older water softeners use a time-initiated system which triggers at a preset time, and it doesn’t matter if regeneration is not required. Most modern equipment uses a demand-initiated system, which triggers after a set volume of water has been softened. As you can imagine, a demand-initiated system is far more efficient that a time-initiated system. Unnecessary regeneration cycles consume more energy and salt, and they waste far more water for no good reason. Upgrading to a modern water softener makes good sense if you have an aging time-initiated control valve system.
In Conclusion
Purchasing a new water softener system and investing in a professional installation is a considerable expense. But, when you consider the pros and cons, it’s money well spent. A new demand-initiated water softener that’s properly sized to meet the needs of your home is more efficient and it will save you money in the medium to long term.
If you’re considering a new water softener installation for your home, contact your local water treatment specialist today.