If you live in a town in south east England such as Chalfont St Peter, you may be considering investing in a water softener. This is because these areas have hard water that contains a high level of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. This can cause limescale deposits to build up in appliances and pipes, and can also irritate your skin.
Water softeners help by filtering out the harmful minerals through an ion-exchange process. However, you may be wondering whether an electric or non-electric model is the best solution for you. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of each to help you make a well-informed decision.
Why choose electric water softeners?
Pros: Electric water softeners use electronic controls to monitor water usage and trigger the ion exchange cycle. They also often have a sensor that automatically detects when the essential parts need cleaning out.
This means that the device has precise controls for efficient usage, and customisable settings. Some models may have LCD displays so you can easily monitor water usage, and even control the device from your smart phone. This makes them particularly suitable for larger households that use high water volumes.
Cons: Electric water softeners increase energy consumption, and therefore this adds to the fuel bills, although in most cases not significantly. Electric devices have potentially higher maintenance costs, as they may require servicing or replacement parts if they develop a fault.
They may also require more salt and water during the ion exchange process than non-electric models.
Why choose non-electric water softeners?
Pros: Non-electric water softeners make use of water pressure and mechanical valves to operate and do not require any electrical input. This means that they are cheaper to run. They also make more efficient use of water and salt, because they regenerate only when the water is actually used.
Non-electric models work more reliably because they are not affected by power outages, and are less prone to developing faults or requiring replacement parts. This might be a consideration if you live in a remote area, or one that is prone to frequent power cuts during adverse weather conditions.
Cons: Non-electric models tend to be more expensive and require a higher initial investment, although this can be offset over time by lower running costs. They may require a certain level of water pressure to operate effectively, so this might be a consideration if your home has low water pressure.
These models have less customisable features, so you will have less control over operational times and will have to manually monitor salt levels and cleaning schedules.
To sum up: Both electric and non-electric models effectively combat the problem of hard water. The type of model you choose may depend on the water consumption levels of your household; the reliability of your power source; your budget; and whether you prefer to have smart features or don’t mind manual maintenance.
Recent Comments