Learn About the Difference Between Salt water Softeners vs Salt Free Softeners 

The goal of a water softener is to eliminate mineral buildup on plumbing fixtures and appliances but what is the difference between salt water softeners vs salt free softeners. There are many salt free water softener options on the  market so we won’t go into great detail about each one as this blog would be hours long to read. Let’s cover the basics so you understand the pros and cons of salt vs salt free.   

Salt Softeners

How does a salt softener work  

Salt Softeners work by exchanging minerals in the water for sodium. The goal of any softener is to stop mineral buildup. Salt softeners do this by replacing magnesium and calcium ions with sodium ions. For more details on how salt softeners work check out our blog.  

 

Pros of a salt softener 

• Commonly available – Salt softeners are available for custom builds for your home all the way down to a basic generic one from the local hardware store.  
• Long track record – Salt softeners have been around for a long time, several decades and while they aren’t for everyone they do soften water.  
• Upfront cost – Salt softeners are often an affordable option for homeowners as long as the drain work and the electrical work is already done and the water softener loop is in place.  
• Maintenance – items to keep a salt softener working, like salt, are readily available at your local hardware store and even some grocery stores.  

Cons of a salt softener 

• Shortens the lifespan of your water heater – someone may want to argue this with me, but the facts are the facts.  Sodium and water make steel rust.  Ask anyone in a cold state that salts their streets what the bottom of their metal vehicles look like.  Ask anyone who owns a boat or property near a saltwater coastline. For more on this check out our blog.  
• Waste water – Salt softeners waste water.  When the system is operating and flushing out the system water is wasted going down the drain line.  This water is not allowed to be put into your yard per plumbing code.  It isn’t safe for plant life, soil, pets or our ground water.  
• Require electricity – salt softeners require power to operate.  They don’t require a lot of power but it can be costly to have an electrician run electricity to a salt softener if the electricity isn’t already available.  
• Space is another con in many opinions as the salt softener is usually two separate vessels and can take up quite a bit of space.  If space is an issue for your home this is something to consider.  
• Not safe for drinking plants or pets.  The sodium added to the water makes the water not ideal for consumption by humans, plants or pets.  This can be a concern for some clients and something we like to make people aware of.   
• Maintenance requirements to keep the unit up and running, including cleaning the brine tank, keeping up with the salt levels, ensuring that the system is regenerating properly can be a chore.  In fairness many salt free systems also require maintenance. 
• The last con I will cover is when a salt softener fails…..it can be devastating to your plumbing system.  When a salt softener fails it can fill your entire water system with resin beads.  These beads end up in your water heater, your toilets, your faucets, your showers….everywhere water touches.  This can be a very costly repair lending towards thousands of dollars in damages to your water system.  

 

Salt Free Softeners

How does a salt free softener work

 There are a lot of different options on the market for salt free, and the technology is all over the board. From citrus based, magnet treatment, electronic descaling, the list goes on, you get the gist. Back to the goal of eliminating mineral buildup. Through different technologies salt free softeners claim to either alter magnesium and calcium. This prohibits the ability of calcium and magnesium to stick to surfaces and buildup. Hardcore salt softener people will state that you can’t call it a softener without the ion exchange of sodium, but I’m not here to argue. I’m here to give you the details so you can decide. If a system accomplishes the goal of rendering magnesium and calcium harmless to your plumbing whether it’s through chelation or template-assisted crystallization, it’s up to you to decide what’s best for your home and family. 

 

Pros of salt free softeners 

No salt!  Ha ha ha, I kid, but not really. Salt free softeners are often the preferred choice for clients who are concerned about sodium intake for their health, their family, their pets, their plants and their city water system. No wasting water! Since there isn’t a removal of minerals with most salt free systems there is no need to backwash the system.So wasting water and the need for a drain line are not required. There are some salt free systems that do backwash like a salt system, so make sure to research the system accordingly. 

Healthier water is possible with a salt free system. Leaving minerals in your water makes the water healthier to drink. The preservation of essential minerals can be a big pro for clients who value healthier drinking water that is mineral rich. Simpler maintenance over a salt softener. Many salt free softener options have very little maintenance. They don’t have big tanks that need to be cleaned and maintained. Installation costs are often less than salt water softeners. That is because these systems don’t require drain work and most require no electricity.

 

Cons of a salt free softener 

Availability of maintenance materials can often require special ordering from the manufacturer. These specialty softeners aren’t readily available at the grocery store. You won’t be able to “oops” and run to the store to maintain these units. That slick feeling you get with salt, is not possible with a salt free system. That slick feeling is a side effect of the sodium in the salt system. Some salt free systems can struggle with extreme hard water. This doesn’t happen often, but if you have intense hard water you will want to consult with the manufacturer. The manufacturer will help you see if their product will meet the water hardness level of your home.  

 

Which softener is right for your home?  

This is a you decision. I hope the pros and cons we listed above are helpful in making an informed decision.  I highly recommend if you’re still on the fence for which type of unit to choose, between salt or salt free to make a side by side list.  What is most important to you? Does a salt or salt free system meet more of those needs? Don’t stay on the fence too long. Whether you choose salt or salt free if you have hard water it’s doing more harm than good to your plumbing system. Something is a lot better than nothing. 

Trust Robins Plumbing for your Water Heater Needs 

If you’re in the Phoenix area and would like an in home consultation to see which type of system is best for your home reach out, we’re happy to help. Are you facing issues with your plumbing? Feel free to “Call a Robin” and we will do our best to help. If you live in the Phoenix metropolitan area and need a salt or salt free water softener trust Robins Plumbing! With over 20 years of experience in the plumbing industry, you can trust our professionals to deliver a professional consultation to see what solution fits best for your home.

As mentioned we also offer a variety of residential and commercial plumbing services, including: drain cleaning, water heater repair and replacement, sewer camera inspection and locating, backflow prevention, commercial and residential jetting, water treatments, and more. Visit our reviews online to see what others have to say about our local plumbing company!