ᐅ Is Water Softening Beneficial?

My daughter is currently renovating the house of my late parents. After reinstalling the water supply, wastewater system, and heating, the question of water softening has come up. The water hardness is 21.4 °dH (degrees German hardness). The pipes are plastic composite pipes. Based on experiences with friends and at work, softened water is often not drinkable on its own anymore. It tastes soapy and unpleasant. However, this would not be a problem for us. We would install a hard water line for the kitchen tap. For the dishwasher, of course, we would use softened water.

However, there are reports of other problems. Some users mention yellow deposits with certain systems, such as those from Grünbeck. Brass fixtures—which are commonly used for taps—may also be affected. The question is whether the disadvantages outweigh the advantages or vice versa. On one hand, there are costs for purchase, maintenance, and consumption (water and salt), possibly corroded fittings, and maybe other issues.

On the other hand, softened water means fewer deposits in storage tanks, pipes, and appliances, as well as easier cleaning.

We all have issues with customer service. If such a system is installed, it should ideally be maintenance-free or easy to maintain by oneself.

To be honest and leaving aside the usual sales pitches: is water softening really worthwhile or not? Would you install it in your own home? What are your experiences? If yes, which brand is affordable and as maintenance-free as possible? Installation is not an issue.

There is already a very long discussion here about water softening.
The idea that softened water is no longer drinkable is nonsense; the system was probably set up incorrectly. Our Grünbeck system does not cause deposits either. I’m glad we have it—my scalp is thankful as well.

groschi2 schrieb:

that you can no longer drink softened water straight from the tap

Yes, you can. You must be able to, since water at the tap must comply with drinking water regulations, whether softened or not. However, the taste difference between softened water and tap water is often noticeable. Whether this is "better or worse" largely depends on individual cases and personal preferences.

groschi2 schrieb:

It tastes soapy and is undrinkable.

See above. With systems complying with DIN-DVGW standards, this is generally not a problem due to regular disinfection of the resin bed. Budget systems bought online are of course less likely to maintain this.

groschi2 schrieb:

With Grünbeck, you hear about yellow deposits.

Those are (or rather were) isolated cases, not specific to Grünbeck and not related to the system technology. Almost always caused by improper installation or hygienically inadequate manufacturing.

groschi2 schrieb:

Brass, which is what fittings are made of, is also affected.

Well, it’s not as straightforward as you suggest. At 8 dH (degrees German hardness), the risk of dezincification is very, very low.

Fittings and appliances will thank you with greater durability if you use a water softener system, and the shower experience will also improve. The taste of the water does change, that's true. It’s not due to the “setting” but rather how many hardness levels you reduce, and at 21, that’s quite a lot. We have 26, and that simply means very many calcium ions are exchanged for sodium ions. We prefer to drink the untreated water and therefore have a separate faucet as a bypass. I think your considerations are sensible.

Is it possible to retrofit such a system, or is installation during new pipe laying or new construction advisable for a specific reason?

Retrofit installation is definitely possible without any problems. Of course, it is generally more advantageous to include it from the very beginning in new construction. However, that applies to all the building systems in a house.