Water softener buying guide: how to choose the right one
Installing a water softener in your home is the perfect way to unlock the benefits of softened water. However, there are several considerations to bear in mind when deciding which type of water softener to buy.
Things to know before buying a water softener
At Harvey™ Water Softeners, we have over 40 years of experience building the very best water softening technology. We have created this comprehensive water softener buying guide to provide you with more information about hard and softened water. We’ve covered everything you should know before buying a water softener.
If you have any questions, get in touch or book a free, no-obligation demo for a home visit from a qualified technician who can explain how a softener can benefit you.
In this guide:
What is a water softener?
A water softener is a device which connects to your plumbing system at an easy access point, like underneath a kitchen sink. It removes the calcium and magnesium minerals found in hard water to convert it into soft water. Using a water softener allows you to avoid many of the problems caused by using hard water, such as limescale and scum.
What water softener do I need?
The perfect water softener for your home will depend on many different factors. Here are some of the things you’ll want to take into account:
How much water do I use?
Do you have a large family, or do you often find that everyone in the household needs to use water at the same time of day? You’ll need to ensure your softening system can keep up with your water usage.
What sort of plumbing do I have?
A system with large pipes will need a water softener that can process water more quickly. A system with tanks in the loft will have a more constant pressure, whereas a system with a mains water supply that enters through the garage will need a different installation plan.
How hard is the water in my home?
Many homes in the UK are supplied with hard water, with varying levels of hardness. Softening systems can cope with all hardness levels, from the minor to the most extreme. Check water hardness in your area to see if you could benefit from a water softener.
What is hard water?
Hard water is water which contains a high volume of mineral ions due to how the water has travelled through the Earth. Hard water is widespread across the UK due to our climate and the geological composition of our landscape.
Rainfall is formed of naturally soft water. But when rainfall travels through the ground, it sometimes picks up minerals along the way – leading to hardened water.
The minerals in hard water include magnesium and calcium, which makes it hard to form a soap lather. This can often make water seem cloudy and is responsible for causing limescale to form.
How does this differ from soft water?
Soft water, on the other hand, contains little or no dissolved calcium or magnesium and forms a soap lather much more easily. As no salts are present, naturally soft water does not contribute to the formation of limescale. This is the main difference between hard water and soft water.
What are the effects of hard water?
You may be familiar with the telltale signs and negative effects of hard water:
- Limescale and scum that form as tidemarks around baths and basins, unsightly white marks on sinks, toilet bowls, and shower heads.
- Build-up of this limescale can create blockages in pipework and lead to the premature failure of water heaters.
- The rich mineral makeup in hard water limits a reaction with soap. This means that it is harder to create lather, foam, and bubbles, resulting in a less than effective clean.
- Clothes can be left grey and dingy, whilst dishes and glasses can appear dull and smeared.
- Negative impacts on the longevity of your clothes and kitchen appliances.
Is my water hard or soft?
Hard water is widespread across the entire UK, though some places have a more extreme composition than others.
To give you a better sense of the distribution of water composition in the UK, this map provides a more accurate overview.
As you can see, Wales and both North West and South West regions have the softest water, whilst most of the UK is host to hard water. It should also be noted that Northern Ireland and Scotland are naturally soft. You can also use our handy postcode tool to find out the exact hardness of the water in your area.
How does a water softener work?
Water softeners work using a process called ion exchange, in which calcium and magnesium ions from hard water are exchanged with sodium chloride (salt) via a special resin. The water goes into a pressure vessel where it moves through the resin beads, and the calcium and magnesium are replaced by sodium. These calcium and magnesium ions are then removed in regeneration cycles, leaving behind only soft water.
6 benefits of a water softener
A water softener offers several benefits to you, your home, and your appliances with soft water flowing through your pipes.
01
Fewer products
Soft water helps create more lather– meaning you use less soap, saving you money!
02
Soft on skin
Enjoy water that is soft to the touch, leaving you with luxurious water to bathe in.
03
Less time cleaning
No scum marks means your cleaning time and effort will be reduced.
04
Cheaper bills
Pipes will descale over time and your hot water system will become more efficient.
05
Appliances last longer
Limescale will slowly diminish to help extend the lifespan of appliances, such as kettles.
06
Shinier home
No more limescale residue on your shiny surfaces, such as taps and showers.
Types of water softener
Single cylinder and twin cylinder
Water softeners typically come in single cylinder or twin cylinder varieties. Water softeners rely on a two-stage process involving the separation of the calcium and magnesium ions followed by their removal through the regeneration process.
- Single cylinder systems have to do the softening and cleaning processes consecutively, and struggle to keep up with large amounts of water usage.
- Twin cylinder systems are able to do both processes simultaneously to take the pressure off and regenerate continuously, guaranteeing you have a constant supply of softened water.
The regeneration cycle is often triggered by an electrical timer, which regenerates the system when it is not typically in use (during the night or the working day, for example). For single cylinder systems, the result after significant water use is that hard water will flow from your taps and the regeneration cycle may take 4-5 days to complete, wasting water and salt in the meantime. This challenge is removed entirely with twin cylinder systems, as it can get everything done at the same time.
Electric and non-electric
Water softeners are available as electric or non-electric, with both types serving the same end purpose of softened water but operated in different ways.
- Electric water softeners use an electric timer to trigger the water softener to flush the resin bed with water and salt, so it can continue softening water. This means that sometimes the resin bed is cleansed before it’s necessary, therefore wasting both salt and water.
- Non-electric water softener systems work on a geared, throughflow model rather than an electric timer.
All Harvey Water Softeners use a specially developed water displacement meter that only triggers the cleansing process when enough water has passed through it to make cleaning necessary. This means that the water softener only regenerates when it needs to – cutting down on salt and water wastage, and saving you money.
Learn about electric and non-electric water softeners
How much does a water softener cost?
The cost of your Harvey™ Water Softener will vary according to the type and size you choose. However, the savings provided by a water softener can produce a payback within as little as 2 – 4 years.
We regularly receive feedback from our customers that the benefits they experience from using soft water more than justify their decision to invest in a water softener.
We can offer flexible payment options to help manage the costs more easily.
The UK’s #1 selling Water Softener
Once you submit your details, what happens next?
- We’ll call to understand your requirements
- We can provide a water softener demo, either in your home, or virtually online.
- Receive a personalised quote based on your household’s needs.
- Start enjoying the benefits of soft water.
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Fill out this form and one of the team will be in touch or call our team to speak to one of our experts 01483 753404.
Buying a water softener FAQs
Drinking Softened Water
Is softened water safe to drink?
Yes, softened water is safe for most people to drink. There are some exceptions, such as for babies and people on low-so...
About Water Softeners
How much does a Harvey Water Softener™ cost?
The cost of your water softener comes down to several factors, such as household size, water usage, and your current plu...
About Water Softeners
Why is a Harvey Water Softener™ better than an alternative product?
At Harvey Water Softener, we have decades of experience creating best-in-class softening systems, with exceptional quali...
Home Care
What boiler and system do I need to use a water softener?
Most boiler, central heating, and plumbing systems in the UK can use our water softeners, thanks to our careful design a...
Home Care
Can I use softened water in my garden?
Softened water can be used in gardens, but it’s worth being aware of the amount of additional sodium in soft water. Pr...
Water Softener Servicing
Does my water softener need servicing?
Unlike other water softeners on the market, our water softeners do not require any Unlike other water softeners on the m...