Which Domestic Softener do I need ?
What size softener do I need ?
Time or meter controlled ?
Electric or Non electric ?
Single or Twin tank ?
We manufacture all these different softener variations so hopefully are in a position to help you make the right choice. All our softeners work on the same principal - as water passes through the hardness and scale is trapped in the softening resin and periodic regenerations removes this build up of scale and keeps the softener refreshed.
Time or meter controlled ?
Electric or Non electric ?
Single or Twin tank ?
We manufacture all these different softener variations so hopefully are in a position to help you make the right choice. All our softeners work on the same principal - as water passes through the hardness and scale is trapped in the softening resin and periodic regenerations removes this build up of scale and keeps the softener refreshed.
What size softener do I need ?
The size of the softener depends on the water hardness in your area, the number of people in your house hold and what the water is used for. Typically each person uses 100 to 160 litres per day. A four person household typically uses 500 litres of water per day. In this case a single tank softener needs to supply 1500 litres of water between regenerations so the softener regenerates every 3rd or 4th day (minimising regeneration waste water). How much water a softener supplies between regenerations depends on the local hardness of the water. This varies throughout the country. In the south of England (inc London) this is typically 300 mg/l where as in East Anglia/Suffolk it can be 400 or 500 mg/l. At 300 mg/l hardness a softener containing 10 litres of softening resin is often big enough for 3 people where as a 4+ household would need a 15 litre softener. In East Anglia a 15 litre softener would be the norm for even a 3 bed household.
Time or Meter Controlled ?
Time controlled models regenerate automatically based on the number of days input (only possible on an electric softener). These are the simplest and cheapest softeners. Meter controlled versions monitor the amount of water used and so calculate when to regenerate. These are often more efficient as they only regenerate if water has been used. They cost a little more to buy but in the long run probably use less salt and so are cheaper to run.
Electric or Non electric ?
Either the regeneration is controlled by an Electronic controller with a visual display or by the incoming water pressure (Non electric)). The electronic controllers are very reliable and give features such as accurate water hardness set up, ability to optimise salt settings, show historical data (amount of water used, number of regens etc), and diagnosis information. Non electronic controllers use the incoming water pressure to control the softener. A mains electricity supply is not required. There are many moving and interconnecting parts in the non electric softener which means for reliability all the internal parts must be kept scrupulously clean.
Single or Twin Tank ?
Single tank systems are designed to be in service 99% of the time and regenerate in the middle of the night when water is not being used. This is sometimes marketted as a disadvantage but in reality no water is used at this time and so it meakes no difference . In twin tank (duplex) systems the tanks are generally smaller (to get two in to a small space) and one or both resin vessels are on line. At some point one vessel goes into regeneration leaving the other unit to soften thr water on its own. The advantage of this is there is always softened water but the disadvantages are there are more regenerations per day, the regenerations occur at a time water is being used (middle of the day) and there is less water for use while regenerating .
The size of the softener depends on the water hardness in your area, the number of people in your house hold and what the water is used for. Typically each person uses 100 to 160 litres per day. A four person household typically uses 500 litres of water per day. In this case a single tank softener needs to supply 1500 litres of water between regenerations so the softener regenerates every 3rd or 4th day (minimising regeneration waste water). How much water a softener supplies between regenerations depends on the local hardness of the water. This varies throughout the country. In the south of England (inc London) this is typically 300 mg/l where as in East Anglia/Suffolk it can be 400 or 500 mg/l. At 300 mg/l hardness a softener containing 10 litres of softening resin is often big enough for 3 people where as a 4+ household would need a 15 litre softener. In East Anglia a 15 litre softener would be the norm for even a 3 bed household.
Time or Meter Controlled ?
Time controlled models regenerate automatically based on the number of days input (only possible on an electric softener). These are the simplest and cheapest softeners. Meter controlled versions monitor the amount of water used and so calculate when to regenerate. These are often more efficient as they only regenerate if water has been used. They cost a little more to buy but in the long run probably use less salt and so are cheaper to run.
Electric or Non electric ?
Either the regeneration is controlled by an Electronic controller with a visual display or by the incoming water pressure (Non electric)). The electronic controllers are very reliable and give features such as accurate water hardness set up, ability to optimise salt settings, show historical data (amount of water used, number of regens etc), and diagnosis information. Non electronic controllers use the incoming water pressure to control the softener. A mains electricity supply is not required. There are many moving and interconnecting parts in the non electric softener which means for reliability all the internal parts must be kept scrupulously clean.
Single or Twin Tank ?
Single tank systems are designed to be in service 99% of the time and regenerate in the middle of the night when water is not being used. This is sometimes marketted as a disadvantage but in reality no water is used at this time and so it meakes no difference . In twin tank (duplex) systems the tanks are generally smaller (to get two in to a small space) and one or both resin vessels are on line. At some point one vessel goes into regeneration leaving the other unit to soften thr water on its own. The advantage of this is there is always softened water but the disadvantages are there are more regenerations per day, the regenerations occur at a time water is being used (middle of the day) and there is less water for use while regenerating .