I already asked some questions about our gas supplier in another thread—thanks again for the feedback.
Now we are facing the decision: "Water softener system—yes or no?"
Our house is about 10 years old (just bought it). Unfortunately, we have very hard water here (around 23). You can already see it on the faucets (where the water comes out), and of course, this isn’t ideal for cleaning or for the pipes either.
We were advised to install a water softener system (we had the idea before, too). However, the local utility company advises against it, and I have also read that these systems can be prone to bacterial growth if they are not properly maintained. Also, chemicals are said to be added to the water (I initially thought it worked through a special salt). Maintenance and service costs also seem quite high, on top of the initial purchase price.
How have you dealt with this? What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages?
At the moment, I am leaning toward not installing one.
Now we are facing the decision: "Water softener system—yes or no?"
Our house is about 10 years old (just bought it). Unfortunately, we have very hard water here (around 23). You can already see it on the faucets (where the water comes out), and of course, this isn’t ideal for cleaning or for the pipes either.
We were advised to install a water softener system (we had the idea before, too). However, the local utility company advises against it, and I have also read that these systems can be prone to bacterial growth if they are not properly maintained. Also, chemicals are said to be added to the water (I initially thought it worked through a special salt). Maintenance and service costs also seem quite high, on top of the initial purchase price.
How have you dealt with this? What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages?
At the moment, I am leaning toward not installing one.
Tolentino schrieb:
And what system did you install, if I may ask?I installed something Italian, but in terms of technical specifications and quantities comparable to the softliQ:SC18 from Grünbeck.MayrCh schrieb:
Who installed and adjusted the system? It looks like <0 dH. Anything below 8 doesn’t really offer benefits anymore.The picture shows the water test right after commissioning. The adjustment was done afterward. I can take another picture tomorrow. The level is somewhere around 5-10 dH now. Just ochre-colored.Tolentino schrieb:
Is it worth it in your opinion?Worth it in what sense? Financially? Probably not. Comfort-wise? With 14 dH hardness, the gain is rather small but likely there.Tolentino schrieb:
Humidifiers? The user manuals of such devices explicitly warn against using that kind of water, as it could damage the units.Which humidifier are you referring to? At least with Venta, I am not aware of any such issue; on the contrary, adding that kind of water would make it last longer. Also, I can hardly imagine how the exchange of Ca ions for Na ions would damage the devices in any way. Except for 0 dH water, since it lacks a pH buffer.Tolentino schrieb:
OverviewOverview of what? The available systems? Pros and cons?
MayrCh schrieb:
In what sense? Financially? Probably not. Comfort improvement? With 14 dH rather low, but probably still there. Yes, I mean the difference in limescale buildup, since the hardness value here isn’t actually that high. But I do find the water to be quite hard. So if you reduce it down to around 6–8° dH, I wonder if that still makes a big difference.
MayrCh schrieb:
Which humidifier are you talking about? Specifically: Fred by Stadlerform.
It’s actually a steam humidifier (so it uses heat)—basically, it’s a large kettle.
MayrCh schrieb:
Also, I can hardly imagine how exchanging Ca ions for Na ions should damage the devices in any way. Could it be that there’s a risk the heating plate corrodes? Because sodium is more reactive with other metals than calcium? No idea, I dropped chemistry after year 12 and have forgotten everything before that.
MayrCh schrieb:
About what? The available systems? Pros and cons? Yes, but also the different technologies. I understand there is salt-based, resin-based, reverse osmosis, precipitators, etc.
So if anyone knows something about this…
Tolentino schrieb:
But I do think it is quite high in calcium.What exactly bothers you? Calcium deposits? They will reduce, but they won’t completely disappear even at 4-6 dH.Tolentino schrieb:
Could there be a risk that the hotplate corrodes away?Well, if this isn’t a disposable item, the hotplate should have some kind of ceramic coating. I don’t see how a sodium-based connection would affect it.Also: The water from your softening system must comply with drinking water regulations. So water with the same mineral composition as your softened water could be considered untreated tap water somewhere in Germany. I don’t see how manufacturers or systems could distinguish or handle that differently.
I suspect that with this device (StadlerFORM), the function follows form principle applies, meaning the product has a design flaw and the manufacturer is trying to exclude customers using softeners from warranty coverage.
Tolentino schrieb:
Yes, but also the technologies.Salt equals resin. Reverse osmosis is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Some manufacturers use precipitation methods, but ion exchangers are more common and easier to manage.
We are now also facing the question of whether to install a water softening system or not.
We have "hard" water at 18 dH, but we are managing quite well with it.
I do not want to soften the drinking water – the question only concerns the underfloor heating system: if we decide not to install a water softener for the heating, will the pipes objectively calcify faster and suffer damage?
If yes, are there other options besides a water softening system?
I’m lost in the jungle of advertising and half-truths from the internet...
We have "hard" water at 18 dH, but we are managing quite well with it.
I do not want to soften the drinking water – the question only concerns the underfloor heating system: if we decide not to install a water softener for the heating, will the pipes objectively calcify faster and suffer damage?
If yes, are there other options besides a water softening system?
I’m lost in the jungle of advertising and half-truths from the internet...