Practical advices for choosing a household water softener

1. step – Determine the connection of the water softener

The connection of the domestic water softeners control head is ¾” or 1”. COMMON MISTAKE: the customer immediately chooses the ¾” connection assumes that the size of the pipes in their apartment is ½” or ¾”, so the ¾” connection will definitely suitable. The discs or pistons in the water softener further narrow the diameter of incoming pipe connection in order to manage the water in different direction for automatic cleaning of water softener. As a basic rule, we recommend to use a water softener with 1” connection if you have more showers or bathrooms or at least 5 connection point in your home, or your water pressure does not reach 3 bar stably. If you don not have a shower or two bathrooms or more than 5 connection points and your water pressure is stably above 3 bar, it is more than enough to choose a water softener with a ¾” connection. With a 1” water softener the pressure drop will definitely smaller, the water jet of the shower will stronger at low pressure. In Western Europe water softeners are sold with almost only a 1” connection.

2. step – Select the optimal size of water softener based on the resin quantity from the table below.

If it is needed, we can choose differ from the values in the table in both direction, but in general it can be stated that if higher the capacity of the water softener, the less often it will regenerate. The water and salt consumption will be more economical. Many manufacturers are trying to gain a foothold in the market with smaller, less resin quantity and cheaper devices. In Western Europe there are countries where the water is softer than in Hungary, so less resin may be technically enough. We recommend not purchasing a water softener with lower amount of resin than the recommended values in the table. The difference between the smallest and largest resin capacity on the market is maximum 10% so the water softener comparison based on the amount of resin can be considered sufficiently objective. Water softener selection table based on the amount of resin – monthly water consumption Water hardness – low, medium, high, very high

If it is needed, we can choose differ from the values in the table in both direction, but in general it can be stated that if higher the capacity of the water softener, the less often it will regenerate. The water and salt consumption will be more economical. Many manufacturers are trying to gain a foothold in the market with smaller, less resin quantity and cheaper devices. In Western Europe there are countries where the water is softer than in Hungary, so less resin may be technically enough. We recommend not purchasing a water softener with lower amount of resin than the recommended values in the table. The difference between the smallest and largest resin capacity on the market is maximum 10% so the water softener comparison based on the amount of resin can be considered sufficiently objective.

Water softener selection table based on the amount of resin – monthly water consumption

Water hardness – low, medium, high, very high

°dH – german hardness

1°dH water containing a calcium and/or magnesium compound equivalent to 10 mg/liter of calcium oxide

You can read more about the process of measuring water hardness here

3.step – Water softener selection. Should I choose BlueSoft or RainWater water softener?

The first thing is that you will definitely choose well because you can only choose a good water softener. It is true for both types that we are talking about the best products on the water softener market. BlueSoft water softeners have appeared on the EMEA market 12 years ago in both industrial and residential sizes. Thanks to its extremely reliable operation, it has become one of, if not the best selling brands. Its value is clearly unmatched in the market. The basic accessory of the BlueSoft water softeners is the by-pass motage block, which allows the water softener to be easily connected or disconnected to the water supply. Also you can easily set the desired water hardness. Another advantage of BlueSoft devices that they are assembled in different cabinets, the customer can choose from many designs.

How does RainWater water softeners know more? RainWater is actually an improved version of the BlueSoft device. In appearance, it meets the requirements of the 21st century. The water softener’s built-in by-pass connection has been improved, making it easier to connect to the water supply with less space. The by-pass valve has a 90 degree elbow design so it can be placed completely next to the wall. Compared to the BlueSoft devices by-pass valve the RainWater softener need less space with at least 20 cm. In addition it has a separate hardness adjustment valve, so it easier and more accurate to set the water hardness.

The control valve of the RainWater provides more economical water and salt consupmtion. In case of medium hard water with an average water consumption of a family of 4, it can be assumed that in approx. 2-3 years, we can save the price difference between a BlueSoft and a RainWater device thanks to its economical salt consumption. RainWater water softeners are able to supply water at full volume flow during regeneration, while BlueSoft water softeners are only able to supply water with partial flow through the by-pass during regeneration. RainWater water softeners have a multilanguage menu displayed on an informative LCD screen with a nice blue backlight. RainWater Plus series already has a resin disinfection function, which means that not only the Na+ are used during regeneration from salt tablets (NaCl), but the resin bed is disinfected each time when the device regenerates using Cl-. In case of pipe fracture this protection pays off immediately. In almost all EMEA countries, water softeners must be sold with resin bed disinfection unit!