How To Size a Water Softener: Important Steps

Does your water leave a residue on your hands or hair, spots on your dishes, or mineral stains on your clothing? If so, you likely have hard water that’s full of minerals. Many homeowners want to know more about water softeners and could benefit from water-softening technology. However, they often have difficulty deciding what type of water softener works for them. In particular, most homeowners do not know how to size a water softener.

At Premier Systems, we are one of the leading Bozeman water softener contractors and a trusted source of water softeners and other plumbing supplies in Bozeman, MT. We developed this guide so that our customers and anyone else with hard water can make the choice that allows them to save money, improve their water quality, and extend the lives of their appliances. We’ll introduce you to the benefits of water softeners and the factors homeowners should consider when picking their water softeners.

What Does a Water Softener Do?

All water from public water supplies contains some mineral content. The minerals occur naturally as a result of the water passing through rock that contains minerals. Water with a low mineral content is “soft,” while water that has more minerals is “hard.” Most parts of the country have hard water, so residents of these areas could benefit from water softeners.

Water softeners remove minerals such as magnesium and calcium. Many brands of water softeners use different technology to accomplish this. 

The most common water softeners are salt-based, which means they replace minerals with sodium. Homeowners who do not want to add a small amount of sodium to their water can opt for salt-free, alternative water softeners.

Whole-house water softeners attach to the water supply for the home, while low-capacity kitchen water softeners attach to the water supply for the kitchen faucet. When deciding which type of water softener would work best for you, consider whether you rely on your dishwasher and washing machine in daily life. Over time, hard water will hurt the performance of these appliances and increase repair costs.

How Do I Know If I Need a Water Softener?

Hard water has potentially harmful effects on many aspects of your household. If you are not familiar with hard water, you might not realize that a water softener could solve many problems.

• Does your water have an unpleasant taste or odor?
• Does your soap not produce a strong lather?
• Is it hard to rinse shampoo out of your hair to get a squeaky-clean feeling?
• Does your laundry not get as clean as it could?
• Do your glassware and silverware have spots?

Once you know that you need a water softener, the next step is determining how to size a water softener.

What Are My Size Options for a Water Softener?

Manufacturers measure the capacity of water softeners in units called grain (GR). A water softener with a 7,000-GR capacity can remove a pound of minerals from water. Once the water softener reaches its limit, you must flush out the minerals and add new salt. The process of replenishing the salt in a water softener is regeneration.

The grain of home water softeners in the United States ranges from 32,000 GR to 64,000 GR. Water softeners with higher capacity will take up more space.

Why Shouldn’t I Get a Water Softener That Is Too Small?

A water softener that is too small will stop providing soft water to your home after it reaches its capacity limit. At that point, you will experience all the problems that go along with hard water until you regenerate the water softener again.

Why Shouldn’t I Get a Water Softener That Is Too Large?

Don’t pay more than you need for a water softener. A large water softener will work well, and you won’t have to regenerate it as often, but there's no reason to spend money on an oversized unit that will take up more space in your home. 

How Can I Decide What Size of Water Softener I Need?

Choosing the right size of water softener will get you the most performance out of your appliance at the best price. Several factors influence the ideal size for your home. Be sure to discuss your home and lifestyle with a water softener installation technician so we can recommend the best model for you based on several factors:

Water Usage

Naturally, if your household uses more water, you will want a water softener with a higher capacity. If you get a whole house water softener, include showers, dishwashers, washing machines, and other appliances when estimating water usage. 

Family Size

We can estimate water usage based on how many people use your home on a daily basis. Typically, larger families do more laundry, take more showers, and need more water for cooking than small families. A family of four typically uses about 300 gallons per day, or 12,000 gallons per month, requiring a 32,000 GR water softener. In this case, a water softener will need regeneration every few months.

Larger families might need a water softener with a larger capacity.

Water Hardness

Water softeners need regeneration based on the number of minerals they absorb from the water. If your water has a higher concentration of minerals dissolved in it. you will need a water softener with a higher capacity.

Soft water has a concentration of minerals less than 3 grains per gallon (gpg), while hard water can have a mineral content above 10 gpg. Two households with identical water usage could have a threefold difference in the water softener capacity they need. 

The US Geological Survey (USGS) publishes a map of water hardness. It is a good idea to test your water hardness before purchasing a water softener. You can use a home test kit or send a water sample to the lab for analysis.

Choosing the Perfect Water Softener From Premier Systems

If you want some advice about how to size a water softener or want to learn more about our whole home water filtration installation, talk to an expert at Premier Systems in Bozeman, MT. Call 406-300-4258 for a consultation and an estimate today.