5 Best Water Softeners For Well Water
If the source of your drinking water is from a private well or you have a well on your property, then it is most likely there will be higher concentrations of iron and other minerals present in the water. Water hardness isn’t a health concern, but when it crosses a certain threshold, it becomes a nuisance. High levels of hardness can cause a number of practical problems around the home and this will most often than not be in the form of limescale buildup in plumbing, appliances, fixtures, and poor performance of detergents and soaps which can strain your hair and skin.
How to solve this issue? The best solution is to install a water softener. A very good well water softener can increase the lifespan of your plumbing and appliances, improve your water taste and help you save money.
This article provides a collection of the best water softeners for well water, you will also learn what you need to look for when shopping for your ideal system. It is very important that you learn as much as possible so you can make the best decision for your home
Types of Water Softeners for Well Water
1. Salt-based systems
Salt-based water softener systems are the most common water softening solution on the market. This system works using a process called ion exchange. This is where the iron, calcium, and magnesium ions present in the water are swapped out for sodium (salt) ions and as such, this eliminates the hard water problem.
This water softening process has been popular for many years and this is because it is an effective method for softening water. It is important to note that this process adds a little bit of salt to your water and this is generally suitable for people on low-sodium diets.
PROS
- It is a highly effective method for softening water
- Fairly affordable in price
- High-quality softening completely removes hard water minerals
- Can be NSF certified
CONS
- Wastes water during regeneration
- Adds small amount of salt to the water
2. Salt-free Systems
Compared to the salt-based systems, salt -free systems are a newer form of water softening. They work by crystallizing hard water ions or adding a coating to their exteriors and they don’t use salt to make water soft. This process prevents the ions from sticking to surfaces and causing scale or rust.
PROS
- Easy to install
- An effective method of softening water with no salt usage
- Prevents scale buildup
- Usually has a good warranty
CONS
- Add bit pricey
3. Electronic Descalers
These water softening systems do not also require salt to soften water. This system works with coils of water which are placed around a section of your home’s water line. This then sends out magnetic waves that change the behaviour of hard water ions without altering their composition.
PROS
- Doesn’t require any plumbing- simplest to install
- Very effective in preventing limescale buildup
- Doesn’t require a regeneration cycle
CONS
- Not usually NSF certified
4. Filter & Softener Combo Systems
These systems are very great if you’re looking to remove common water contaminants and solve hard water problems in your home. This is where you combine the best water softener for well water with a whole home water filter system for your home. They are worth an investment although they are quite expensive but they produce excellent results for both your home and your health.
PROS
- Very effective in softening hard water
- For the best quality water
- Removes ferrous and ferric iron more effectively
CONS
- Very pricey
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Water Flow Rate
The water flow rate of your home is what determines how fast water flows through your pipes and plumbing and how quickly it flows out of your showers or faucets. Measured in gallons per minute, you can determine the flow rate of your showers, toilet etc. This is important to know as you will require a water softener with a higher service flow rate if you live in a big household. You can find flow rate guides for household appliances online if you’re keen to figure out the average flow rate of common appliances.
Typical Water Usage of Modern Outlets & Appliances
Type: Amount of Water
Showerhead: 2.0 – 2.5 gpm
Kitchen faucets: 1.5-2.0 gpm
Washing Machines: 25.0 gpl
Dishwashers: 6.0 – 16.0 gpl
Bathroom faucets: 1.0 gpm
System Size (Capacity)
When it comes to determining the size of the well water softener you need for your home, there are several ways to go about it. You can start by multiplying the number of gallons you use per day by the number of people in your home. However, if you’re not aware of the number of gallons you use per day at home, you can use the average figure of 80 gallons per person.
The next thing is to multiply this number by your water’s hardness in grains per gallon. This is what will tell you how many grains of water hardness you need to remove per day. With this information, you can then search for the specific water softening solution that’s well equipped to handle this load.
Other Contaminants
Apart from water hardness minerals, there is a high possibility that your well water contains contaminants such as fluoride, metals and other organic chemicals. Because the well water is coming from the soil, it may contain harmful pathogens like bacteria and to remove these contaminants as well as soften your water, it will be a great choice to invest in a whole house filter and a water softening system.
System Control & Features
To be able to check the status of your house’s water softening system and amend the settings, most water softening systems come with a control panel. Some water softeners can automatically regenerate based on calculations of your home’s water usage. Aside from this, you can personally select the date and time for the system to regenerate. You can also connect your water softeners using a mobile app on some water softeners and this is meant to give you a more convenient way of amending the settings anytime you’re away from home.
Physical Space Available
It’s important to consider the space you have available to install your water softener by taking note of its dimensions. Most water softeners take up a lot for space as they are bulky in design. It is important to note that the bigger the water softener capacity, the bigger the tanks. Be sure a the end of the day, you have enough room for the easy installation for your water softener system, it’s maintenance and cleaning.
Certifications
It is always worth looking into certifications When it comes to choosing a water softener system. When a water softener system is certified, it means it has been tested by a third party and deemed effective in the job it’s intended to do.
You will realise that most water softening treatment systems have the NSF International certification. The NSF is the most popular certifying third-party organization when it comes to certifying water treatment systems. The NSF 44 certification means that a water softener system meets the minimum requirements for a water softener which is a standard set by the NSF themselves.
Costs Involved
Some water softening systems are more expensive than others and the truth is, any type of water softening is a big investment
Reviews of the Best water softeners for well water
1. SpringWell Futuresoft Salt-free Water Softener
This is a technologically advanced water softening system. The Springwell Futuresoft is able to soften several gallons of water without producing any waste or causing a drop in water pressure in your home.
It offers about 99.6% of scale prevention without using salt. It is perhaps one of the most environmentally-friendly options on the market.
The Springwell Futuresoft Salt-free Water Softener comes with a pre-sediment filter. This helps to remove any large particles of dirt and dust that could clog the softening system and reduce its lifespan.
This water softening system comes as a complete package. It comes with everything you will need for the installation and as such, you do have to head to the local store to purchase any other thing. It comes with the bypass valve, mounting bracket, fittings and spanner.
Depending on the number of bathrooms in your home, this water softening system can be bought in three different sizes. It has a very durable softening tank which is made from stainless steel.
The Springwell Futuresoft salt-free water softener works by preventing minerals from causing water hardness without actually removing the minerals themselves. This technology doesn’t work like a conventional softer that uses salt.
It uses the technique known as the TAC (Template Assisted Crystallization) process. This is the process where hard water minerals are crystallized and this prevents them from sticking to any surface.
This Springwell Futuresoft salt-free water softener helps to keep your appliances clean, prevent them from scaling, and at the same time help you derive the health benefits from soft water whilst having the minerals present.
PROS
- This system of softening water is cleaning-free
- Comes with a 6-month money-back guarantee and a lifetime warranty
CONS
- Compared to salt- based systems, it is expensive
2. AquaOx WS
The AquaOX uses an automatic regeneration process that enables you to set the softening cycle to your preference using the touchscreen control valve.
This model is one of the most effective well water softeners for eliminating hard water-causing minerals that affect water systems, skin, hair and many more.
This water softening system comes with two tanks that is, a resin tank(where softening takes place) and a brine tank for the salt. This model adopts the traditional routes when it comes to softening water.
With the AquaOx WS, you can check the status of the water softener system, find information about its regeneration process, perform diagnosis and adjust settings.
This is because it comes with a control valve with a touch-screen function. The AquaOX water softener can automatically regenerate as it comes with an inbuilt sensor to make this possible.
You can actually leave the hard work to your water softener and it will deliver it perfectly. This means that your water softening system will automatically start the regeneration system once the resin tank is at a maximum water hardness mineral capacity.
The AquaOX requires installation at your home’s main water line and this gives soft water benefits to your entire home, including your washing machine, showers, faucets and washing machine.
PROS
- Comes with a 10-year warranty and a 12-month money back guarantee.
- Touch screen control
- It’s easy to install
CONS
- Needs to be connected to a power source.
3. SpringWell Salt Based Water Softener System
The Springwell Salt-Based water softener is the ideal solution for anyone who wants a well water softener that offers a highly reliable ion exchange performance.
It comes with a lifetime warranty and offers the highest level of water treatment for your home at a very competitive price.
The Springwell’s softener consists of two tanks. This includes the resin and brine tank. The resin tank contains the ion exchange while the brine tank stores the salt.
It comes with an installation kit which makes it easy to install. When it comes to the information you need to know about the systems regeneration process, water use, and others, it comes with a digital metered control.
With the Springwell Salt-based water softener, you get to save money by using less salt per regeneration. The softener features a metered valve that measures the mineral capacity of the resin bed and as such, automatically regenerates when the resin bed is full and can no longer hold any more minerals.
PROS
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Uses less salt
- Offers 3 sizes to choose from
CONS
- A bit pricey
4. SoftPro Elite Water Softener for Well Water
This SoftPro Elite soft-based water softener comes with a ton of features and it is one of the best softening systems for well water with iron. Comes in different sizes and can be bought up to an 80,000-grain capacity. It operates by using minimal salt and water, this makes it highly efficient.
This SoftPro Elite model comes with a touchpad control meant to activate your desired setting. Unless you want to simply check up on the systems status, it comes with an automatic backwash which can control the system on itself.
When it comes to the brine tanks, the SoftPro Elite comes with a high capacity and wide-mouthed brine tanks and as such, you spend less time filling then up and this makes the job easier.
In case of malfunction where the tank might overflow, this model comes with a safety float which prevents any overflowing. This is made possible because the tanks are insulated by neoprene jackets which provide insulation and prevent both condensation and freezing.
The SoftPro Elite functions like a typical salt-based softener but comes with a pack of features that make it smarter, very useful and more efficient. The SoftPro Elite system is designed in such a way that it will perform an automatic refresh on it’s own if it hasn’t been used for a maximum of 7 days.
PROS
- Ideal for well water with iron (up to 3 PPM)
- Backed by a lifetime warranty
- Up to 80,000 grain capacity
CONS
- May require professional installation
5. Aquasana
The Aquasana is specifically designed to treat contaminated well water, remove everything from bacteria, pesticides and herbicides that are commonly found in well water sources. As a package, it comes with a 20-inch pre-filter, a carbon media upgrade, sub-micron and an optional ultraviolet filter.
This Aquasana system removes the hard water problems without eliminating the hard water causing minerals such as the magnesium and calcium ions. Aquasana comes with several filtration tanks all focusing on removing specific contaminants in the well water.
The Aquasana comes with its own instalation kit which is meant to make the process of installation very easy. Aquasana features the pre-filter, plastic fittings, UV filter and post filter. However, it doesn’t come with the brass fittings, bypass loop, or bend supports but there is an option to pay extra for an upgraded kit if necessary.
PROS
- Includes copper-zinc filter
- Easy to install
- Doesn’t cause backflushing
CONS
- Bulky and takes up a lot for space
Frequently Asked Questions
Do water softeners use a lot of electricity
This will basically depend on the quality of the softener you go in for. High capacity softeners use as much electricity as an electric alarm but don’t be alarmed as they won’t contribute to your electricity like how a computer or TV would.
Do water softeners make a lot of noise?
No, they don’t. The only noise you will hear is that of the water running through its system.
Can the water softener remove iron from the well water?
Yes, it can remove the iron from the well water and as such, the ratio and water hardness must be sufficient so the ion exchange will be able to remove the iron.
Conclusion
This article is to assist you make the best choice when the comes to selecting the best water softener for well water. We hope that you compare the choices thoughtfully by referring to this guide. Use it to determine the essential features you’re looking for in your water softener so you get to experience only the best part time of having a water softener.
