Water Softener Consumer Reports

Water Softener Consumer Reports Which Whole House Water Softener Systems Performed Best?

There are many features to consider when choosing a whole house water softener. You can see the important ones here. But let's get straight down to business: what did the consumer reports on water softeners decide was the best water softener to buy?

#1: The Pelican PSE1800 Whole House Water Filter and Softener

The Pelican PSE1800 Whole House Water Filter and Softener stands out with the highest quality of manufacturing and performance.

Pelican offers a 90-day 100 percent money back guarantee, a 10 year guarantee on housing and valves and a 1 year highest level performance guarantee.

Another pro of this product is that it's a 2-in-1 product combining softening and filtration of home water. It doesn't require any maintenance and above all, no electricity.

#2: Kinetico 2020

The Kinetico 2020 is an Ion Exchange water softener. It has twin cylinders (making salt refills easy), and recharges based on volume, eliminating any need for a schedule. It's cheaper to run than conventional water softeners and it only cleans itself when it needs to.

Consumer ratings seem to indicate the Kinetico 2020 is the best choice for Ion Exchange water softeners.

Types of Water Softeners

Let's take a brief look at the advantages and disadvantages ofdifferent types of water softeners.

Salt-Free

Salt-Free water softeners use a catalytically working filter (Nano-Technology.) They remove the existing lime-scale that has formed on pipes, and then prevent future formation from occurring.

No salt or potassium is needed, and the minerals and nutrients in the water are not effected. There are no chemicals added to the water, and there is no waste water.

Salt-Free Water Softeners are not recommended for water hardness levels above 25 grains per gallon.

Ion Exchange

Ion Exchange Water softeners replace the ions of minerals in the water (mainly, calcium and magnesium) that cause hardness in the water with sodium or potassium ions. Consumer reports for water softeners show the Ion Exchange system to come in second.

Ion exchange water softeners give a longer life to appliances (washing machines etc. that use water) and can increase the lifespan of clothes.

Ion Exchange water is not ideal for drinking because of the sodium intake. Users may consider getting potassium chloride salts instead, but this is more expensive than sodium.

Magnetic

Magnetic water softeners are still relatively new to the market, and make use of magnets placed either inside or outside a water pipe so that water flows through the magnetic field. The molecular structure water alters it loses its hard quality.

Based on consumer reviews, magnetic water softeners do a good job despite scientific criticism.

Magnetic Water Softeners make use of a non-chemical treatment, which means that you get all the vitamins and nutrients out of the water that you need.

The degree of efficiency can be random &ndash, the magnetic field is only in the immediate vicinity of the magnetic field. What this means is that the compound of the water can go back to a hard stage after about 48 hours.

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse Osmosis Water Softeners remove the dissolved impurities through a semi-permeable membrane. Pressure is used as the driving force for this separation, and unwanted molecules are swept away into the drain.

98% of unwanted molecules are removed (including salt, heavy metals and most solids)

Strips the essential minerals from water, and so is not ideal for drinking, for plants and animals, or for cooking. There is also a high degree of waste.

Source