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Traditional Water Softeners

All water softeners use the same operation to obtain soft water. They trade sodium or potassium chloride in a process called ion exchange. The mineral tank is the main component in water softeners and is filled with polystyrene beads, also known as resin or zeolite and carry a negative charge. In normal operation, the calcium and magnesium get drawn to the beads and get replaced with salt ions. Hard water as disgusting as it is in your home poses no health risk but salt from water softeners may be a problem for those on restricted diets, people with diabetes and other respiratory and heart ailments. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns.

  AQUAPULSE3000 Water Softener Exchange Tank Reverse Osmosis
Application Total Home Water Solution Whole House / requires RO for drinking Whole House / requires RO for drinking Drinking at a specific faucet
Cost Per Gallon $0.002 - $0.007 $0.12 - $0.23 Add RO costs $0.006 - $0.01 Add RO costs $0.18 - $0.25
Yearly Maintenance Costs** $0.0 $120 - $360** $360 - $840** $90 - $180**
Monthly Maintenance None Requires salt or potassium chloride refill May require bi-weekly service or more than one exchange tanks Require filters to be changed
Backwash Requirement** Once bi-weekly on average Twice a week on average Tank replaced not backwashed Every usage
Pros & Cons Great taste, odor free, leaves nutrients in water Creates soft water Creates soft water Good taste, odor free
  No scale build up in plumbing, faucets & appliances Reduces scale build up but deposits salt residue Reduces scale build up deposits chemical residue No scale build up in plumbing, faucets & appliances
  Neutral pH levels Not intended for drinking need RO Not intended for drinking need RO Low pH (Acidic) not healthy to drink
  Removes unwanted chemicals Removes unwanted chemicals Removes unwanted chemicals Removes all chemicals
  Leaves in wanted chemicals at proper levels Damages eco system by depositing brine into our aquifers Deliveries required need driver access to tanks and time sensitive Removes all chemicals Wastes significant water (3 wasted for every 1 used)
  Leaves skin and hair smooth and clean Leaves "slick" feeling on skin after bathing or showering Leaves "slick" feeling on skin after bathing or showering Limited water availability
  Laundry is whiter and lasts longer Water wasted during regeneration process Water cannot be regenerated through backwashing Occupies valuable under counter space
  Appliances and plumbing last longer     Tank can be breeding ground for bacteria
  Good for pets and plants Should not be used for pets and plants too much salt Not good for pets and plants Not good for pets and plants
  Virtually maintenance free Monthly maintenance required Monthly maintenance required Monthly maintenance
  Low operating costs      
**Depends greatly on family usage. Chart based on like variables and conditions.