Filter for water softening: overview and recommendations

The use of hard water in a house or apartment leads not only to the appearance of scale on the dishes, but also to the rapid breakdown of all kinds of household equipment: washing machines and dishwashers, heaters, boilers, etc. Meanwhile, to solve this problem in our time is not too difficult . It is enough only to purchase and install in the kitchen, in the bathroom or in the basement a special filter for water softening. There are several types of such devices on the modern market.

The main varieties of softeners

To remove calcium and magnesium salts from water, such devices can be used:

• Mechanical . These are mainly reverse osmosis systems.
• Chemical. Such installations are most often installed in large country houses in a complex with filters of coarse and fine cleaning.
• Reagentless . Of this group in residential houses and apartments most often installed electromagnetic modern filters.

Reverse osmosis systems are mounted directly on the sink. Chemical and non-reagent filters are used mainly as main lines. When used in the house, the softening and water purification are often carried out. Filters in this case are installed on a common supply line at the entrance to the building or in the caisson. Also, such softeners can be installed in the pipe directly next to the boiler, washing machine, etc.

System of reverse osmosis: the principle of operation

By and large, equipment of this type is used mainly as a universal fine filter. However, the construction of reverse osmosis systems includes, among other things, special perforated membranes designed to remove salts. The holes in such a material are so small that only the molecules of water can pass through them. Any impurities present in it settle on the surface of the filter.

How do chemical softeners work?

Reverse osmosis systems are mainly used only in urban apartments for drinking water purification. In large private houses it is more expedient to install more productive equipment - chemical softeners. Such devices usually work on the principle of ion exchange. In their case a special gel-like resin is laid, containing a large amount of sodium. Upon contact with hard water, this element is exchanged with calcium and magnesium, as a result of which the desired effect is achieved.

A filter for water softening of this variety is able to serve in the house for many years. It is considered an advantage of such devices and a high cleaning speed. The disadvantages are usually only the need for periodic purchase and replacement of resin.

The principle of operation of reagent-free softeners

Particles of potassium and manganese salts are flat and easily adhere to different surfaces. That is why when using hard water on the walls of dishes and details of various kinds of household appliances, scale is formed. Under the influence of the magnetic field, the salt particles take the form of very narrow and long needles. And, consequently, they can not cling to anything. Moreover, acting on a layer of old scale, such needles gradually erase it.

The filter for water softening household reagent is distinguished first of all by such advantages as low cost, long service life and ease of installation. Many owners of apartments and houses even collect such equipment from scratch. Some of the drawbacks of non-reagent filters are considered only the need to connect to an outlet. Electricity such devices usually consume about 5 watts.

Recommendations for selection

Thus, to mitigate water from a centralized highway in a city apartment or from a well in an unheated dacha, it is best to use a reverse osmosis system. Such filters are relatively inexpensive. At the same time, you can mount them yourself. When selecting equipment, it is worth paying attention to the volume of the storage tank and the timing of the change of filters.

Also, for softening water in apartments and in dachas, electromagnetic non-reagent filters also work well. They are even cheaper than reverse osmosis systems. However, when using such equipment, paying for electricity will, of course, have a little more than before. When buying such a device, you should pay attention primarily to its capacity. The trunkless filter should be designed to mitigate exactly the amount of water that is normally consumed in the house.

Chemical softeners are ideal for installation on the ground floor of large cottages. When choosing them, pay attention to bandwidth. In addition, you should make sure that the resin (which is not cheap) will not have to be changed too often. Such softeners are usually chosen already at the stage of drafting a water treatment system for the building. At the same time, their installation in combination with filters of another purpose is most often trusted by specialists.

Which manufacturer's mechanical device to purchase

Choosing a filter to soften the water in the house or apartment, among other things, should pay attention to its brand. Most modern manufacturers produce high-quality devices of this type.

If we talk about reverse osmosis systems, then in this case, not bad reviews deserved, for example, such brands as Raifil and "Atoll". "Raifil" filters are praised for the ease of installation, the volume tanks and the possibility of replacing the cartridges at the expiration date for similar to other manufacturers. Atoll systems are popular because they effectively purify water from salts.

Smooth and electromagnetic filters: the best brands

Choosing a chemical main filter for water softening, it is worth paying attention, for example, to Galaxy devices. The Galaxy units are easy to assemble, equipped with a "dry" salt tank and have an additional regeneration mode.

A reagentless group of devices is presented in the domestic market, including such popular low-cost brands as "Aquashchit" and "Termite". The first are valued for being able to soften the water, being located even a few hundred meters from the household appliance. In addition, they very quickly loosen the scales on the surfaces. The devices of the brand "Termite" are also convenient to use and are able to supplement or completely replace chemical softeners in the house. In addition, there are models of such devices, designed for installation on pipes of very large diameter.

Installing the water softening filter: features

Reverse osmosis systems are usually supplemented with a kit that includes a faucet for the ¼ pipe and a tee-off papa-mama. With the help of such a stop valve, the equipment is cut into the water supply. In addition, using a softener of this type, an additional tap is installed on the sink and a storage tank is mounted.

Chemical filter for water softening, as already mentioned, is most often included in the general water treatment system. At the same time, a mechanical filter is first installed on the supply pipe, designed to remove organic matter. Then the coal is mounted. And already after him runs the softener himself. At the next stage, the water treatment scheme is supplemented with a fine filter and a storage tank. The last element of the design of such complex systems is usually an ultraviolet disinfecting device.

Electromagnetic mains softeners in most cases are simply hung on the supply pipe immediately after the tank in the caisson. Suitable filters for softening water from a well or a well supplied to a house are almost as good as chemical ones.

Features of installation on boilers and household appliances

Using a softener significantly extends the life of the heater, washing machine or dishwasher, a shower enclosure, etc. Both chemical and non-reagent devices can be installed on the boilers. The boiler water softening filter is mounted on the return line of the heating system in the immediate vicinity of the unit in front of the centrifugal pump.

All sorts of household appliances from magnesium and calcium salts are usually protected only with the use of electromagnetic softeners. The latter are hung on a pipe that feeds into the body of the appliance (they do not need to be cut in), or simply mounted on the wall next to it.