Salt-Based Water Softeners vs Magnetic Water Softeners
Salt water softeners are the only systems capable of actually softening water by targeting minerals that cause water hardness. Through a process called ion exchange, hardness ions are replaced with sodium ions, and water hardness is completely eliminated.
These salt-based water softening systems contain resin beads, which are responsible for the ion swapping that happens in the process ofsoftening water. Use after use, these resin beads become "exhausted" or saturated, and need to be regenerated by washing away excess minerals. The regeneration process uses softener salt added to the brine tank of the water softener system.
Salt-water softeners can be time clock water softeners, which regenerate as they are programmed, and metered water softeners, which regenerate when needed. Both systems use salt, however, metered water softeners use less salt and less water. Also, metered water softeners can be electric (require electricity) and non-electric (rely on water pressure).
While traditional water softeners rely on a chemical process to soften water, magnetic water softeners rely on magnetic fields to draw hard water ions before water is distributed throughout your plumbing system. This involves placing powerful magnets on your water pipes.
On the face of it, magnetic water softeners seem like a less "invasive" way to soften water since there is nothing added to water. Even if you compare the purported benefits of each system, you may be inclined to favour magnetic softeners because of their affordable price, easy installation, and no maintenance.
Salt water softeners use water and salt to create the solution needed to regenerate the resin beads. This water is the sent to drain, which means increased water usage and regular salt changes.
Only when you compare the effectiveness of the two do you realise that salt water softeners are indeed superior to magnetic scale treatment devices, which have little to no effect.
