One of the questions we get asked a lot is “What is better? An electric or a non-electric water softener?”. In truth, there are pros and cons to both types so read on to find out about electric vs non-electric water softeners and what could be the right choice for you.
Electric water softeners
Electric water softener systems use an electric timer to determine when to regenerate the resin bed inside the single tank. They are programmed so that at a set time every day, the timer activates the regeneration process by flushing the resin bed with water and salt.
Since this regeneration process is controlled electrically, there may be times where the resin bed is cleansed when it doesn’t need to be. If there are unexpected changes such as power failures or excessive water usage, this can mean that you are without softened water for a period of time.
There are some electric water softeners which take this into account and are programmed to go through the regeneration process more often. This will however result in a greater usage of salt, water and electricity.
Non-electric water softeners
Non-electric water softener systems use a meter to measure and monitor the volume of water used which turns as water flows through it. They are normally are composed of two tanks joined by a single module which automatically regulates the bringing, backwashing, rinsing and shifting of the water from one tank to the other.
This only occurs when the water is needed. By using the two tanks, non-electric systems can produce soft water on demand, 24 hours a day.
Electric water softeners Vs non-electric water softeners
Both electric and non-electric water softeners ultimately deliver very similar results for softened water. There are however significant differences between the two systems. The biggest difference is the fact that electric softeners work on an electric timer control whilst non-electric systems work on a meter that turns as the water flows through it.
The electronic controllers however are very reliable and give features such as accurate water hardness set up, ability to optimise salt settings, show historical data (amount of water used, number of regens etc), and diagnosis information. This information is particularly useful to your water softener engineer when it comes to servicing as it means we can see exactly what needs doing to keep it running at its best. Many electric systems will now also use the latest Wifi technology enabling you to be able to monitor the salt usage etc from your smartphone.
An electric water softener will obviously need a mains electric supply in order to work though, which is not always practical. For a non-electric system, a mains electricity supply is not required. As previously mentioned, a non-electric system works with dual tanks, unlike electric systems. This means that with a non-electric water softener you will have softened water 24 hours a day whereas an electric water softener will need time to regenerate where softened water is not being produced. This isn’t always an issue however as this can be programmed to occur when demand for water usage is low, such as overnight.
This could be problematic if you have ad-hoc occasions (such as when you have guests staying) when your water usage is particularly high. Another advantage to non-electric softeners is that they tend to use block salt which is much easier and more convenient to store than the large bags of tablet salt used by electric systems.
Block salt can also be heavy however and therefore harder to refill whereas tablet salt can be topped up one scoop at a time.
Whether you choose an electric or non-electric water softener, we have a wide range of products across both types. If you would like some help in deciding what the best option for you would be, please get in contact to arrange your free, no obligation home survey.