Softening is a different job from filtering.
People use the words interchangeably, and they shouldn't. A softener deals with hardness minerals. A filter is a different process. Some homes want one, some want both, and some want neither.
[softener and combo availability pending supplier]
How a softener works
Hard water is water with more dissolved calcium and magnesium. A conventional softener passes water through a tank of resin beads, which swap those minerals for sodium or potassium. That swap is called ion exchange.
When the resin is used up, the system rinses it with salt water from a second tank and sends the rinse to a drain. That's regeneration. It's why a softener needs a drain, an outlet, a place for the salt tank and someone to refill it.
What's in a typical softener
- 1
Resin tank
The tall tank. Water passes through a bed of small resin beads on its way into the house.
- 2
Control valve
Decides when to regenerate and routes the water while it happens. Many valves go by how much water you've used.
- 3
Brine tank
The shorter tank that holds salt. It's the part you'll actually see and refill.
- 4
Combo stage, if any
A combo pairs softening with a filtration stage, either in one tank or as two tanks side by side.
It usually comes up when
- Your utility's report lists a hardness number you want to act on.
- You're seeing scale on fixtures, glass doors or the water heater.
- You have room for two tanks, plus a drain and an outlet nearby.
Think twice when
- Your utility already softens its water. Several South Florida utilities describe a softening step in their reports, so read yours first.
- You don't want to refill salt. It's a real, ongoing chore.
- Your concern isn't hardness. A softener isn't a filter, and it won't do a filter's job.
What we look at first
- The hardness number your utility publishes, if it publishes one
- Space for two tanks near the main line
- A drain for the rinse water, and an outlet for the valve
- Any local rules on softener discharge
What upkeep looks like
- Salt. You check the brine tank and top it up. How often depends on your water and how much you use. [interval pending supplier spec]
- Resin. Lasts for years in normal use, and eventually gets replaced. [interval pending supplier spec]
- Combo filter stage. If you have a combo, its filter stage has its own replacement schedule, separate from the salt. [interval pending supplier spec]
The lineup comes with real numbers, or not at all.
| Model | [model and brand pending supplier] |
|---|---|
| Installed price | [price pending supplier] |
| Independent listing | [certification listing pending supplier] |
| Warranty | [warranty terms pending supplier and counsel] |
| Standard install scope | [standard install scope pending plumber review] |
Common questions
Do I need a softener in South Florida?
It depends on your utility and what you want. Some utilities here use lime softening as part of their treatment. Check your annual report, then call us and we'll go through it. If you don't need one, we'll say so.
Is a softener the same as a whole-house filter?
No. A softener exchanges hardness minerals. A filter uses media or cartridges for other purposes. A combo pairs them, which is why people mix up the terms.
Salt or salt-free?
Salt-based softeners are what's described on this page. Products marketed as salt-free work differently and don't soften in the ion exchange sense. We'll explain the difference for any model in our lineup when it's set.
Can I add a softener later?
Often, if there's room and the plumbing was laid out with it in mind. Tell us if it's on your mind, so the first install doesn't get in the way.
