Do Salt Free Water Softeners Really Work?

www.uswatersys...
How do you know if a "Salt-Free Softener" will really soften your water? We have a way of finding out using a simple hardness test kit. But don't just take our word for it. A professional-grade hardness field test kit is only $47.95 and can be ordered on our website here: www.uswatersyst.... Find out for yourself what your true hardness level is.
Visit www.USWaterSystems.com to compare water softeners and salt-free water conditioners.

[@pmcnamara1954]

This is a good clarification of the difference between water softeners and water conditioners. What it lacks (due to time, no doubt) is a discussion about why someone would choose one over the other. I have a home in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico where all fresh water is ground water percolated through a vast labyrinth of calcium. It is HARD water, which I measured as he demonstrated, and came up with 3 consecutive readings of 63gpg. 64gpg and 61gpg, respectively. Yet, I chose a conditioner over a softener due to ease of use, lower maintenance and the fact that I don't like the slippery feel of soft water. All I wanted was an elimination of scale deposits on the pipes, water heaters and sinks & showers. For some, softening is the answer. For me, conditioning is fine. Just know the difference and choose wisely.

[@MikeD79119]

+pmcnamara1954 The descaler (conditioner) idea is new to me. Which did you choose? I have been searching and there are many...Eddy, Clearwave, etc. Price points are so different. Do you think there is a difference in quality, because the technology descriptions seem the same?

[@pmcnamara1954]

+Mike S I wish I could give you the results of intensive product and price research, but I made no such exhaustive research. I went with a conditioner sold by Pelican Water. The units are very simple, and it wouldn't surprise me if the media is the same is all units across various sellers.

[@Antandthegrasshopper]

How do you like your Pelican system now that you've used it for a year or more, does it help with scale deposits on dishes, sinks and shower? how about the suds... ? thanks

[@RGR_Gaming10X]

Will conditioning help dry skin though?

[@obijuan3004]

This is what you call misleading information. It’s not a salt free water softener it’s a salt free water conditioner. A water softener removes calcium and magnesium and adds salt to your drinking water. Not good if you have high blood pressure. A (salt free) water conditioner changes the calcium and magnesium to non-binding crystals that do not stick to pipes and in fact can clean crust out of your pipes and water heater. HOWEVER, the healthy calcium and magnesium are still in the water, just in a crystal form that will not clog pipes. A salt based system requires constant filling with salt, the salt tank requires an annual clean out or you will be drinking dirty water, so water system companies make money selling salt and maintenance services. A salt free system needs service ever 6 years or so and you might need a 6 month filter replacement (if you use a carbon filter which is recommended). The filter is available on Amazon and you can replace yourself in 10 minutes or less. Some municipal water systems are banning salt based systems because too much salt is getting into the sewage system.

[@seant8341]

I had thought that a salt free water softener leaves the magnesium, calcium, potassium, but deionizes it or otherwise renders it unable to stick to surfaces. So, while a chemical hardness test reacts to change color in the presence of those minerals, it would indicate the presence of those minerals, but what the test would not show is that they are no longer ionized and therefore are no longer adhering to piping. Perhaps I am misunderstanding. Please someone correct me where I am wrong. Isn't this one of the benefits to salt free water softeners, they leave the calcium, magnesium, etc which are actually important minerals for our health, while rendering them unable to cause scale buildup?

[@phxees]

You are correct. Salt-based water softeners add sodium or potassium to your water to soften your water. They waste water and then you need to install an RO system to remove the salt which wastes more water. Although salt water is also good for your skin and hair, so there's that.

[@jaycahow4667]

@@phxees The salt in a glass of softened water is less than what would get in a glass of milk or orange juice. The vast majority of people with water softeners do Not install an RO system to remove all the salt. People that are very sensitive to salt or have medical issues may need to treat their water.

[@phxees]

@@jaycahow4667 Agreed, I didn't realize that at the time. Was referencing the wrong information.

[@dominique___1980]

Thank you for being frank and honest. SO lacking in today's society. Cheers!

[@curlzwalk]

Thank you!!! I appreciate your honesty! Almost bought a Pelican salt free system to treat my hard water. The Pelican rep told me my water wold be soft and feel no different. Then I found this video to learn the truth. I checked the BBB for Pelican reviews, lots of unhappy people there who have hard water and CAN'T get a refund! : (

[@trungvuduc2363]

I am going to buy the pelican one but i have to change my mind

[@saularenas3627]

Thank you so much for the information. I was confused about the salt-less water softner and what it meant, advertised by companies. You are right it is confusing. As I get ready to purchase a water softner system and drinking water system for my home, your info is very good, in order for me to make an informed decision.

[@79bnice]

Glad I watched this video. I was about to go with a salt free system but after watching this video I now know what I need. Thanks for explaining the difference because many companies confused the consumers.

[@DG4813]

Nice white coat, you almost pass for a scientist.

[@rickzulkiewicz3884]

Thank you for the clarification(s). I guess it is the salt that is the issue as we see below. Salt that increases blood pressure and further contaminates the water eco system. As I now have a failed salt system - after only 3 years installed, i'm thinking a good whole house filter and a water conditioner is the way to go.

[@daseeyesh]

Simon Parsons of the School of Water Sciences at Cranfield University proposed that the magnetic field reduces the surface charge on small particles, increasing the tendency to coagulate as large particles that stay with the flow rather than depositing as scale. However, an internal study in 1996 at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory found no difference in preferred crystal structure of scale deposited in magnetic water treatment systems. Source: Wikipedia

[@bbcisrubbish]

This is not an advisory video, it is a sales programme.

[@mrreymundo5383]

I do home repairs. It happened that I was remodeling a bathroom in a condo where the owner had the plumbers install one of these units while I was working. I was anxious to see if it worked, as I knew nothing about them. I installed a brand new toilet on completion of the remodel. It had never been used without this "softener" in place. I was called back to do a minor repair about 3 months later. Sure enough, there on the brand new toilet was a hard water ring that is the sure sign of unsoftened water. If you want a water softener, get one that is salt-based. Anything else is simply a sediment filter. Nuvo is extremely overpriced for a scale and sediment filter, which is all it is. This is NOT a water softener.

[@Anne9768]

Hello I have a water softner that takes cubed salt. I have a friend who says she has a water softner that does not use salt, but crystals and that she only has to have them changed every few years. She just recently had someone came and put crystals in for the first time in a long while. She said her water is soft. After seeing your video I am wondering are these crystals really working, or is there an element of salt in them that she does not know about, although not needing it re filled for over a year I have never heard of before.

[@chrisdaniels4674]

I would like to see how many people actually replace their citric filter as the directions say. I'm sure non of the people saying it doesn't work changed the filter as recommended.

[@Maestrodeluniverso]

A salt free conditioner is a scale inhibitor. This means that the calcium precipitation will be not occur in your water heater. However, it will consume more detergent, clothes will not feel soft, water will not feel smooth.

[@justinjr1623]

Every manufacture has their own concept just for trading their product on purposed, I merely remain firm along the fact that water softener does really works as I can nibble up the water much cleaner with no calcium build on the shower door, faucet, the small filtering unit under the sink for drinking water that we normally replace the filter every 3 months, now nearly 2 years, I can assure the filter in the clear tank very clean and water so clear. Which means the water softener does the best job.

[@ghenadiescerbina6512]

+Justin Nguyen You said that your water softener does really works, is it an electronic softener with no salt ? Thanks.

[@justinjr1623]

+ghenadie scerbina It is electronic softener with salt tank

[@lawrencemiller3829]

Will your water conditioner prevent scale in pipes and water heater? Will it prevent hard water spots on dishes and counter top surfaces?

[@uswatersystems]

Prevent scale, yes. Remove hard water spots, no. You need a water softener to do that.

[@spitz5183]

US Water Systems Will soft water remove scales?

[@ajohnson3830]

Whats the best conditioner? Is it drinkable water?

[@uswatersystems]

We sell these: www.uswatersystems.com/us-water-limeblaster-salt-free-water-conditioner-25-gpm.html If your water is drinkable now then it will be with a water conditioner. Know though that a water conditioner does not filter the water.

[@mrreymundo5383]

Is there an effective way to remove iron from our very hard water before it enters our water softener? (Yes, it is a real, salt-based, water softener) Do magnet systems work?

[@dbasrus]

All very interesting, but whether it softens or conditions is merely semantics. I just want to know if salt-free systems will prevent limescale buildup

[@uswatersystems]

Yes, our salt-free systems will prevent limescale buildup.

[@suidajaafar4017]

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[@radhakrishnang5587]

darkhorse b m

[@radhakrishnang5587]

darkhorse v

[@big_bee07]

I thought that only tests alkalinity? The ppm testers usually tells you if it's soft.

[@FrankH3bert]

I think they miss the way those things work. Wether they work or not, your kit won't prove it. The electronic softeners/conditioners claim to change the charge of the ions in your hard water. The stuff (calcium magnesium) is still in the water, it just won't stick to each other and cause problems to plumbing and appliances. I don't know if electronic/magnetic softeners work but I'm sure that this test kit won't prove it.

[@flybyairplane3528]

Frank Hebert if you check the water BEFORE, then see wow hard it is, THENtest the water AFTER, see if there is a difference, so WHY WONT THE TEST KIT NOT SHOW IT? Cheers from NJ

[@MrNams]

Very useful and true,thanks a lot for sharing with us.

[@tanyaegeland6244]

+US Water Systems Excellent video! Very informative. We are on town water, but the water hardness is about 10-11 and is heavily chlorinated so it really dries out our skin terribly, our clothes (whites) quickly become gray, and we have hard water spots on dishes, etc. What type of whole home filtration/purification system/components would you recommend? We would like to have nice water to bathe/shower in for once, and we would like to have nice pleasant tasting drinking water so that we don't have to continue to buy bottled water. We don't have a huge home - just a 2 bathroom house, so we wouldn't require a huge system.

[@mrreymundo5383]

We use a salt-based water softening system to condition our water for the whole house, then we use a reverse osmosis filtration system under the sink for drinking water. I periodically test our water, and it is very soft, as witnessed as well by the fact we have clear dishwasher dishes, and rarely need to clean the shower stalls, and when we do, it scrubs clean easily, since there is no hardwater film. As to the drinking water, it comes out so pure it will not conduct electricity. It tastes somewhat like distilled water to me, which I must admit, I don't like the taste of as well as our regular, mineral filled tapwater. However I console myself thinking I am getting no chlorine, and am less likely to get kidney stones. We paid around $3000 for our system. However I replaced my water-softener recently for about $700 installed, by buying a nice used unit.

[@romanamerlene8554]

I made it with INPLIX handbooks !

[@Dloweification]

Have you guys ever tested how much salt is actually put into the water supply with a salt-based water softener? How do salt-free conditioners prevent calcium and other minerals from coming out of solution? Does this prevent the body from absorbing such minerals? There are so many videos out there that say one thing or the other, but they're all sales pitches which leaves me not wanting either a softener or a conditioner. Your videos do seem fairly honest though. I'd rather see the science and the numbers and make my own decision. If the science is right then the company earns a buyer. If it's all a sales pitch and "this one does that, which is bad and ours does this, which is good" then both products are horseshit and just competing with each other to get my wasted money.

[@donaldfafard]

i'd like to know that too, *Dlow* "How do salt-free conditioners prevent calcium and other minerals from coming out of solution? "

[@uswatersystems]

Yes, a water softener adds sodium to the water. Mayo Clinic says this: Regular tap water contains very little sodium. The amount of sodium a water softener adds to tap water depends on the “hardness” of the water. Hard water contains large amounts of calcium and magnesium. Some water-softening systems replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions. The higher the concentration of calcium and magnesium, the more sodium needed to soften the water. Even so, the added sodium doesn’t add up to much. An 8-ounce (237-milliliter) glass of softened water generally contains less than 12.5 milligrams of sodium, which is well within the Food and Drug Administration’s definition of “very low sodium.” Thus, it’s unlikely that sodium in softened water would pose a risk for most healthy people. However, if you’re on a very low-sodium diet and you’re concerned about the amount of sodium in softened water, you may want to consider a water-purification system that uses potassium chloride instead. Another option is to soften only the hot water and use unsoftened cold water for drinking and cooking. In any case, it’s important to keep in mind that the majority of sodium in an average person’s diet comes from table salt and processed foods. Thus, the best way to decrease sodium in your diet is by putting away the saltshaker and cutting back on processed foods. The University of Massachusetts writes: There is no standard set for sodium in water. However, EPA has recommended that sodium levels in water not exceed 20 milligrams per liter (mg/L) for individuals on “no salt diets.” Sodium is really not an issue, but remember that unless you have a salt-based water softener you will likely use 50% more soap and cleaning agents, lime removers and other things like that and those things get dumped back into the environment. Also, there are a lot worse things than sodium in your water. I am of the opinion that you should not drink soft water, but it’s not because of the sodium - it’s because of the taste (I don’t like the taste) and mainly it’s because of many other things that can be in the water such as: lead, arsenic, nitrates, pesticides, chloramines, chlorine, THM, cryptosporidium, Chromium 6, pharmaceuticals and any one of 38,000 other chemicals. Reverse Osmosis removes nearly all of these contaminants as well as sodium. Cheers!

[@uswatersystems]

Read the latest blog post from The Water Dr. here -> www.uswatersystems.com/blog/2017/02/question-about-drinking-soft-water/

[@Mulberrysmile]

I have a salt system in a new home we got with a well. I don’t want the salt in my water anymore...I get MORE thirsty from drinking a glass of water. And I still have scale build up that is terrible. I have also been having frequent high blood pressure, which I never had before. I will take a conditioner and look into filters just to get some of the minerals out. Adding salt to the water sure hasn’t been harmless for me...

[@tmbihl3889]

You are not supposed to drink water that has been softened. Get an undercounter RO.

[@bjmgraphics617]

What is the maximum hardness that can be considered safe enough for your pipes and appliances? My parents water is not soft but sort of medium and they don't have any conditioner or softener system. Their appliances lasts for years and they just replaced the original water heater after 20 years.

[@uswatersystems]

0 to 60 milligrams per Liter is considered soft. Anything above that is moderate to very hard and will overtime cause limescale build up in plumbing.

[@misterindependent7994]

Thanks doc.

[@nickdanaluk566]

John 8:32 The Truth shall set you free. Thanks for the truth as it is rarely spoken these days.

[@davidhazen2394]

Question, the only thing that matters to me is that the hard water minerals do not stick to my plumbing components like sinks , faucets & water heaters. I notice several different options for conditioning waters.. I see the ClearWave system , Eddy Electronic Water Descaler and the more expensive Whole House Water Filter 10-Year with Pro Install Kit, 1000000 gallon which can cost up to 2-4 thousand. Does anyone here believe in the ClearWave system , Eddy Electronic Water Descaler as a means to prevent scaling on your plumbing components?

[@pesakhraap6657]

Your only solution is an ion exchange water softener. Anything else is medicine show hucksterism.

[@mav9898]

Great video and very helpful. Thank you

[@MrTeff999]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@aliaslmx]

Thank you very much for these information! Very very much!

[@mollybug9325]

I have been using salt free Clearwave and I do not have a scale/rust problem for 20 years in this house. I have always hated the always soapy feeling that salt conditioners do. It feels like you never get the soap off. I will stick with the ClearWave system I have. Sorry That is the truth.

[@flybyairplane3528]

Molly bug ply tsOU USE TOO MUCH SOAP!

[@SpencerDavis2000]

so is the only way possible to soften water through using a water softener with salt? what about a whole house filter?

[@uswatersystems]

Yes. Yes. The whole house filter does not soften.

[@brendagoodro4981]

Spencer Davis

[@SpencerDavis2000]

thanks

[@gavinsmith4310]

Spencer Davis km hnmj h uhmmuy k n gfvbgffbdvdx c cthrhcdcgegv qq

[@ankitbhakhar6163]

Send me kit details

[@horacioh1]

Thank you

[@Gadgeteer32952]

I'm buying a house that has hard well water at 521ppm with visible clouding of iron in the water. The home has a water softener already set up and working. My question is this, "Is this the only option I have to clean up this water?" I don't like the sodium softened water but if this is my only option then so be it.

[@uswatersystems]

You don't have to use a salt based water softener to protect your plumbing from scale. A salt free water conditioner will not make your water technically soft, but it will work at protecting the plumbing. To remove iron from your water will take using other water treatment though. This is a system we offer for iron and sulfur treatment: www.uswatersystems.com/water-problems/iron-and-manganese-water-filters

[@TheSeedsower107]

We have had a salt free so called water softener on our house for the past 3 and a half years and not only does it NOT soften the water it does NOT keep hard minerals from building up on our appliances. These systems are the same price or more than the salt systems so get what works, a good salt system !

[@spacioinnovations]

which one did you have?

[@TheSeedsower107]

Spacio we had a frigie. I think that is how you spell it. Don't have it anymore

[@Dan-um9bk]

Thank YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@robertpatridge6866]

We have Nuevo manor. It eliminates calcium build up well but does require new filter each six months. We went this way since salt is heavy, requires monthly pellets, and costs more on annual basis. Taste is the same. We buy sparklers water for safety and taste. Texas has extensive agriculture and laws do not address associated chemicals. Lots of gmo crop.

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

Since you've had your Nuvo Manor water conditioner 2 years now, I'm curious if it is still working for you? Can you help those of us out that are considering what to buy to condition and/or soften our water. It would be much appreciated to know from an actual user if the Nuvo works.

[@joels3133]

thanks for the great video.

[@vodavlogs2206]

Pls send me the hardness test kit

[@uswatersystems]

Hi. You can order it here: www.uswatersystems.com/hardness-iron-ph-field-analysis-test-kit-2401.html

[@zachsmith4213]

this guy didn"t clean his vile after having hard water in it. contamination is something you should always avoid in the water treatment industry.

[@anastasiyapolo]

+Zach Smith i think for the sake of example he is illustrates it doesn't matter.

[@MikeTrieu]

Zach Smith: s/vile/vial/

[@rabie4x4]

A quick rinse with the sample water would have also worked.

[@MrConsto]

I think you fail to recognize that he tested the soft water AFTER the hard water without cleaning the vile and it still only required one drop or less. He made the point beautifully and you missed it

[@rabb-iblood633]

Haile Selassie I said West End Dale Blaster Water Conditioner Morgan she roll up lineup hellblaster water condition

[@aaddam16]

Magnetic and Catalytic "descalers" work by changing the charge of the minerals in the water so that they don't cling to other metals. They do not backflush into a drain, so the "hardness" level will be the same because all of the grains are still in the water. With salt you have to flush tons of water down the drain and spend tons of money on salt, that companies like this want you to keep buying forever. They're pushing buying a useless test kit because they know there is no flushing of water and the hardness will be the same.

[@flybyairplane3528]

Adrian swhy o SS the test kit is useless , try simply want you to PROVE TO YOU, Many moons ago I kept a marine aquarium,,so, 1 test was like that, 1 for NITRITES & NITRATES, 1 PH, , I kept it going for 10 years, then had a ‘wipeout’ before I moved.cheers from NJ

[@beentheredonethatoriginals5673]

What a ridiculous comment. Any unwanted minerals that remain in your water will still have an adverse effect on appliances and won't give you soft water, period. The amount of water is typically 250 gallons per week (it varies greatly) which is nothing. Salt is cheap compared to replacing hot water tanks, washing machines, plumbing fixtures, etc.

[@jared6583]

Try a Kinetico water softener. They are one of the most efficient systems and do not use electricity. Less water and salt waste.

[@noluck33]

Sorry he is only trying to sell his product, also they are usually referred to as descales.

[@URAGANU]

Corect. There is no such system to soften the water. There are only water conditioners. Only big city water systems can soften the water at industrial level.

[@Emaratilfy]

URAGANU Not correct. You can install salt-based water softening systems in private homes.

[@dukeraul624]

I mostly want to inhibit scale.

[@spacioinnovations]

Are you familiar with Calmat?

[@dukeraul624]

No, but it looks pretty interesting. Do you have any firsthand experience with those units?

[@spacioinnovations]

Yea, I got one at home. It's great because it's a pretty simple DIY installation, and doesn't require any maintenance. Also, I would say the best part is it keeps the minerals in the water.

[@dukeraul624]

Spacio Cool, thanks for the reply!

[@Duckman2405]

You really have to research these types of devices before spending money. I started out looking at what size to buy, even looking at commercial/industrial solutions for comparison, then what brand, and then finally, does this really work? All because I bought a tank-less water heater and want to prevent scaling. Since I have an electrical engineering background, as well as a pretty good chemical engineering minor, I had to research this. My question was, do the claims match the science? I came across the following link www.chem1.com/CQ/aquacrack.html and followed some of the links within this well written article. I have no affiliation with anything in it. Judge for yourself.

[@dominique___1980]

Thanks for the additional information, Duckman. As an autodidactic, it isn't always easy to get point in the right direction. I appreciate the help.

[@uvb369]

"The water Doctor"

[@NinjaPaigeMoe]

this says $29.95 but your site is selling them for $34.95 DISCOUNTED from $55.00 =/

[@OsmioWaterH2O]

This video is out of date because now we have Liquid Water Softeners which actually do soften the water by making the water feel silky soft and helping people with skin and hair dryness conditions. So it is a softener but it does not take out any limescale minerals so is irrelevant for this test.

[@AgentOffice]

Sounds like a scam

[@ivanleal5259]

you sell water softeners on your website??? Why would you sell them if you say there is no such thing?

[@pmcnamara1954]

+Peter Aremone , I think what he was saying is choose your product based on the job that you want done, knowing that Ca and Mg will remain in solution with a conditioner, and be removed by a softener. Some people just want the scale to go away, but could not care less if Ca and Mg are in their water with the dozens of other minerals.

[@deltaphilip8611]

What if you are color blind?

[@anagramconfirmed1717]

Does it make my water FEEL soft, that's all I care about.

[@uswatersystems]

No. But it will still protect your plumbing from scale build up.