Electric / Non-Electric Water Softeners

There are two types of water softeners with ion-exchange resin and salt regeneration: electric and non-electric models. Each of the two methods has its advantages and disadvantages.

Electric water softener : How does it work ?

The electric valve is programmed to perform regeneration either at a specific time or after a given volume of water. This valve controls water softening, regeneration…

Advantages

A water softener equipped with an electric valve offers many advantages. You set a specific volume or time, and the water softener will regenerate at that exact point. This is the oldest technology and therefore the most fully developed, with highly reliable electric valves available. In addition, if the pressure in your pipes is low, an electric water softener will still allow you to treat hard water.

Disadvantage

First, if there is no electrical outlet near the place where you want to install your water softener, you will need to hire an electrician to run a cable. Next, the most common water softener failures come from the electric valve. In addition, the valve must be reprogrammed if the hardness of the incoming water changes.

Non-electric water softener : How does it work ?

The new generation of water softeners operates without electricity, using only water supply pressure. The system is equipped with a water meter that triggers regeneration automatically.

Advantages

The main advantage of buying a non-electric water softener is that it can be installed without electrical connections. It will therefore save you electricity. Most non-electric models are fairly compact, so they can be positioned in your home fairly easily. The only maintenance required is adding salt to the system.

Disadvantage

The main disadvantage of a non-electric water softener is that the water supply pressure must be at least 3.5 bar. In addition, the water softener regenerates after every set volume of water, meaning it may regenerate in the middle of the day, just when you need it.