Affordable Water Softener Alternatives
In today’s world, it seems nearly impossible to avoid the effects of hard water without the use of water softeners. However, not all that many people realize that there are many alternatives for this issue. Instead of relying on liquid water softener or traditional water softener units, people now have other affordable alternatives.
Many of them don’t involve sodium or other chemicals, so they are much more desirable for the environment and for drinking purposes as well. From all of the alternatives, we have chosen the most affordable ones that can really get the hassle out of the softening process. We’ll also include units that barely require any maintenance (if any), because that’s also one of the main concerns when searching for a water softening solution.
Contents
Water Descaler
A water descaler is a device that works very differently when compared to a traditional softener. Instead of going through the process of ion exchange, the descaler simply conveys electronic capacitive signals throughout the pipes to modify the shape of the calcium and magnesium crystals.
Because of this, the hardness isn’t completely eliminated, but rather kept under control. You still get the full benefits of drinking calcium and magnesium without the downsides of them sticking to surfaces like the showerhead, toilet, fixtures, and so forth. And the effect lasts up to 72 hours if we’re talking about water that’s being stored in your water heater. As for flowing water, the effect is immediate.
Reverse Osmosis System
Another relatively affordable alternative is a reverse osmosis system. This type of device works by filtering the water through a membrane and expelling only clean water. The main downside is that it tends to waste a lot of it, but it’s worth it because it also filters out a significant number of pollutants.
Many restaurants around the world prefer using water that’s been softened and filtered through a reverse osmosis system because it also makes the cooked food taste better. While not many people can point their finger on why it is so, it seems that many tend to agree with this fact.
Template Assisted Crystallization
Unlike a water softener, a TAC system won’t cause any backwash or brine discharge, so you won’t need to connect it to a drain or mess around with complicated maintenance processes. Just like the previous two listings, this one also requires absolutely no salt or chemicals to function.
Instead, it relies on ceramic polymer balls to remove dissolved minerals. The beads, coming into contact with hard minerals, transform them into small crystals, similar to the process done by a water descaler. In this form, the minerals no longer stick to surfaces and yet they still remain intact in the water, giving you the full benefits of drinking calcium and magnesium.
Water Conditioner
A water conditioner is different from a water descaler in many aspects, despite the fact that their process is relatively similar. Instead of using electricity, it uses magnetic or sonar resonance to modify the hard mineral crystals.
Fair warning, however, as its effectiveness isn’t nearly as high as other alternatives on this list. However, the lower price and low maintenance are some of the main selling points that have convinced people to purchase such units.
Electrochemical Water Disinfection
If you’ve ever heard of ozonation, this process is basically that, but it can be done in a non-industrial environment. Electrochemical water disinfection involves fitting electrodes. As the water passes through these, salts, minerals, and pathogens get removed.
This happens because ozone and other elements are produced between the water and electrodes. And despite its name, the process involves no nasty chemicals whatsoever. The process cleans the water using only naturally-forming elements that leave no traces whatsoever in your drinking supply.
The Bottom Line
Whatever water softener alternative you end up choosing, you’re bound to find really alternative options on the market. There are numerous models to choose from, and you’re bound to find some that fit your budgetary needs perfectly.
