Water softeners v. water conditioners

[Mikomotor]

Hi,

Being sick of having to clean an awful hard water inspired orange bloom from shower, I've decided to treat the water supply.

I thought that this would be straightforward - investigate water softeners and choose / install one. Then I started seeing articles suggesting that water conditioners (which are far cheaper / less hassle to install / zero maintenance) can produce results on a par with their more expensive alternatives.

Can anyone provide any views on the two options and which one they've opted for?

Cheers,
Mike.

 

[sooey]

a proper water softener using salt will soften the water properly, a water conditioner will only do it temporarily so you would need to fit it as close as possible to your shower head to do any good.

 

[JohnD]

I use a proper water softener with a resin inside, that you top up with salt to recycle the resin. Works really well. No scale; no soap scum, no dull lifeless hair or hard scratchy towels; use less soap, washing powder etc.

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p.s. also see http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=93804 and go to page 34 of the report.

also http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=615460#615460

let me know if you want to buy a piece of magic string.

 

[gas4you]

The only way to do itproperly and guarantee results for the whole house supply is to fit a water softener

 

[Mikomotor]

....thanks, guys - I think I know what to do next!

Cheers,
Mike.

 

[corgiman]

just dont forget to make sure the water softener does not fill your CH

rads dont like salty water they dont

 

[gas4you]

Neither do aluminium heat exchangers