How to Choose the Best Water Softener: Buying Guide

If you’ve noticed spots or streaks on your shower doors, stains on your faucets, or hair and skin that’s dry and irritated, these could all be signs that you may have hard water. Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium that build up on everything they touch – from your appliances to your body.

You can easily remove these minerals and their harsh effects with a water softener. However, choosing the right water softener is important, as there are different models, features and sizes to consider. Use this buyer’s guide to dive deeper into how these systems work and how to choose the best water softener for your home.

How Do I Know If I Have Hard Water?

You might be facing hard water problems if you notice:

• Dry skin: Hard water buildup can block pores and prevent natural oils from reaching the surface of the skin, which can lead to dryness and irritation. It can also worsen skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. · Brittle hair: Hard water residue can remain on hair, which may leave it feeling stiff, dull and dry rather than soft and shiny. It also can cause color treatments to fade faster than expected, and lead to scalp dryness and irritation as well.
• Spotty dishes: White, chalky residue or spots on washed dishes could be due to magnesium and calcium remaining on surfaces after the rest of the hard water has evaporated.
• Scale buildup: Unsightly soap scum left on shower doors, bathtubs, faucets and fixtures is often a result of hard water.
• Bubbleless soap: Hard water makes soaps and shampoos less effective and more difficult to lather, so you need more to work as well as they would with soft water.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your home, it might be time to consider choosing a water softener.

Benefits of a Water Softener

A water softening system reduces the amount of calcium and magnesium in your water, leaving you with:

• Softer hair and skin
• Longer-lasting appliances and cleaner plumbing
• Softer laundry
• Shiny, spot-free dishes

Culligan customers point out that the benefits of soft water are truly noticeable in their everyday lives. For instance, Pamela A. in Pennsylvania says her water softener “makes a huge difference to everything you do with water, from laundry to washing clothes and taking a bath! No corrosion around the faucets or on the spout of the tea pot or coffee maker. Life is much easier!”

Plus, a water softener can help prolong the lifespan of your water-using appliances. Both washing machines and dishwashers can see a 50% lifespan increase when using soft versus hard water, and tank water heaters can see a 33% increase in lifespan. Removing hard water minerals eliminates scale buildup, which results in fewer repairs and more efficient performance.

Download Now: Your FREE Hard Water Guide

A water softener also can translate into big savings every year. Because water softeners help your appliances run more efficiently and require you to use fewer detergents and soaps, you can save an average of $682 per year over time. And you’ll save even more money by not having to replace fixtures that have corroded due to the buildup.

We frequently hear from our customers like Jeff N. that they end up saving a significant amount on soaps and more: “I have owned only two Culligan soft water and whole house systems since 1999. They are flawless in creating just the right amount of soft water. We use half of the amount of soaps and detergents, which saves money and is better for the environment.”

How Water Softeners Work

When water enters the home, it flows into the softener’s main tank. Inside, there are small objects called resin beads. As water flows in, the calcium and magnesium (which are positively charged ions) adhere to the resin beads (which are negatively charged), removing these elements from the water that will then flow to the rest of the home.

Over time, the resin beads fill up with calcium and magnesium and need to be cleaned. This is called the regeneration process. Water softeners typically have a second tank called a brine tank, which contains a saltwater solution. During regeneration, this solution flows through the resin tank, rinsing the calcium and magnesium from the beads and flushing the minerals from the system.

How Long Do Water Softeners Last?

With proper maintenance, a water softener can often last for 10 to 15 years, sometimes longer. There are several factors that may influence how long your system remains in operation, though. Well water users and households that have especially hard water may find that they need to replace their system sooner. Culligan water softeners are top rated for their longevity, and you can benefit from the expert maintenance and support of an experienced supplier in your area.

You may also decide that it’s time to replace your water softener early if you want to upgrade to a more efficient model with advanced features like usage-based regeneration and smart controls that you can manage from your mobile phone.

Water Softener Alternatives

There are some steps you can take to treat water for specific uses around your home without installing a water softener. For example, some additives for water-using appliances, like your washing machine, can help you avoid the hard water issues that leave your laundry stiff and make it difficult for detergents to work.

However, you’ll have to spend money regularly on these workarounds – and you’ll still have hard water running throughout your house, causing buildup on fixtures and in pipes. Since hard water affects so many different aspects of daily life, a more long-term solution like a water softener is typically the best way to proceed. Another option is to use a portable water softener exchange service. This solution can be helpful for vacation homes or in areas where softeners or water usage are restricted.

Salt-Free Water Conditioners

Another alternative to renting or purchasing a water softener is to use a salt-free water conditioner. These units don’t technically soften water; they focus on neutralizing the hardness instead of actually removing it. You’ll still

enjoy some of the same benefits as you could achieve with a water softener, including reduced scaling throughout your house and easier cleaning of buildup around showers and faucets. A salt-free water conditioner is also a good alternative for those living in brine-restricted areas. Culligan’s salt-free water conditioners are virtually maintenance-free. If you live in an area with a lower level of hard water and low levels of iron, a salt-free water conditioning system may be a good option to consider.

Is It Okay to Drink Softened Water?

Generally speaking, drinking softened water shouldn’t be harmful to healthy individuals. Water softeners that use salt during the regeneration process may leave trace amounts of sodium in your drinking water, but these aren’t notably larger than the sodium most people get from their regular diets. That said, those on sodium-restricted diets should consult their physician.

It’s important to keep in mind that water softeners don’t directly treat your household water supply for contaminants or other possible water quality problems. For this reason, it’s fairly common for individuals to use both a water softener and a configuration consisting of one or more water filtration systems. Whole-house filtration options can help with bothersome water quality issues that lead to common issues like a rotten-egg smell in water, rust stains in sinks and toilets, and more. In addition, installing a reverse osmosis drinking water system under your kitchen sink can prove to be an effective way to broad treat your drinking water against a wide variety of potential contaminants, ensuring that you have an unlimited supply of cleaner, great-tasting water on demand.

How Much Does a Water Softener System Cost?

The cost of your water softening system will depend on which model you choose and other factors (see more of a water softener installation cost breakdown here), but the value of soft water can be immense when you consider all of the additional costs incurred due to hard water problems.

For example, if you have hard water, you may find yourself spending extra time bathing or washing your hair hoping to produce an effective lather and a thorough rinse. However, you’ll likely wind up wasting water, soap and shampoo while still experiencing the same results.

The same holds true for the extra water, household cleaning products, laundry detergent and dishwashing soap required to deal with the spotting, scaling, buildup and cleaning difficulties that come with hard water. If these issues cause you to need costly repairs or prematurely replace water-using appliances, pipes and fixtures, the expenses can quickly pile up.

However, if you’re not certain you’re ready for the initial investment required to install a new water softening system, you have options. You might also consider renting or financing a water softener, allowing you to follow an affordable payment plan instead of purchasing the system entirely upfront. Working directly with a professional, you can find the best water softener solution for your budget.

Finding the Best Water Softener System for Your Home

Which type of water softener is best? Culligan’s water softening systems were designed with you – and your home – in mind. Our top-rated water softeners are backed by industry-leading warranties and a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can count on a high-quality system that delivers better water when, and where, you need it most. Many models also include our proprietary Dial-a-Softness® control, which lets you customize the feel of your water to your own preferences.

Top options depend on your water quality, home size and more, but include these systems:

Aquasential® Smart High Efficiency Water Softener

The world’s most efficient water softener*, the Aquasential Smart High Efficiency HE Water Softener delivers all the benefits of soft water with the added convenience and control of smart technology. This WiFi-enabled system provides salt refill alerts and insights on product usage and performance through the Culligan Connect App.

<h3> Aquasential® Smart High Efficiency Water Municipal Water Softener

If you’re dealing with the unpleasant, bleach-like smell and taste of high levels of chlorine in addition to hardness in your home’s water, choose this model. It offers the top-level performance of our Smart HE Water Softener but also includes built-in chlorine filtration. <h3> Aquasential® Smart High Efficiency Softener-Cleer

Homes that relying on a well supply often deal with both high levels of hardness and too much iron in their water. The Softener-Cleer tackles both issues while offering the benefits of WiFi connectivity and alerts and tracking through the Culligan Connect App.

Aquasential® Smart High Efficiency Twin Water Softener

Families with a high volume of water usage can benefit from the dual-tank design that can deliver an uninterrupted supply of soft water throughout your home.

Choosing the Right Size Water Softener

Water softeners come in various sizes, and making sure that you have the best water softener for your needs is important. Getting the right size will allow you to make sure that you can soften your water sufficiently without losing efficiency and wasting extra water and salt by regenerating too often.

The best way to accurately size your water softener is to work directly with a professional to test your water, assess your pipe size and flow rate, and determine how much water your household uses on a regular basis. Generally speaking, harder water, higher water consumption and a greater number of taps running simultaneously mean that you’ll need a larger water softener. You don’t want to overshoot, though. Regular regeneration is also still required for optimal performance. Plus, larger units tend to cost more, meaning that purchasing an oversized softener might result in spending more money upfront than is necessary.

Water Softener FAQs

What should I consider when choosing a water softener?

If you’re wondering how to choose a water softener, there are several factors to consider. Along with identifying the right model, functionality and size, it’s important to look for top-rated water softener systems from companies you can trust. With industry-leading warranties, 30-day money-back guarantee and high-quality designs, Culligan systems are a smart choice. For help choosing the best water softener for your home, schedule a free consultation with your local Culligan water experts. They’ll test your water’s hardness and provide personalized recommendations based on your home and your needs.

Does a water softener system preserve the value of my home?

It’s possible that a water softener could help preserve the value of your home and even add to it. By removing hard water, you’ll help extend the lifespan of your home’s appliances. Plus, you’ll stop limescale from building up on showers, sinks and faucets, leaving bathrooms and kitchens looking shiny and new. By choosing a water softener with smart features, you could potentially see an additional increase in value as smart home technology is highly sought after in today’s market.

Can I install a home water softener system myself?

Because installing a water softener requires figuring out the right pipes to access, cutting pipes as needed and making sure the system is programmed correctly, it’s not recommended that you do it on your own. Professional water softener installation is the best way to ensure you don’t encounter electrical or plumbing problems.

Ready to Add Soft Water to Your Home?

To take the first step toward deciding on the best water softener for your needs, you can schedule a free, in-home water test and consultation with your local Culligan experts. This will help you find out just how hard your water is, as well as the size of your plumbing. With this information in hand, you can work with your local Culligan expert to identify the ideal softening system for your household. They’ll help you explore factors like affordability, efficiency and advanced features, allowing you to decide on the best model for your water and for your family.

Book your free water test today and join millions of happy Culligan customers like Eric B. in Arkansas: “Top-rated products, knowledgeable representatives who are personally invested in our satisfaction, excellent technicians, you’ve got it all!”

*HE Softener when configured with proportional upflow brining with Aqua-Sensor®