Water Softeners - 3 Critical Things to Consider Before Buying a Water Softener

When considering which water softener to purchase there are some important factors to consider including some significant health issues. This is because water softeners actually use sodium to alter the water. As we all know, sodium is a major cause of increased blood pressure and other serious health problems.

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Sodium is an essential mineral because it's necessary for fluid and electrolyte balance in your body. However, consuming too much salt (also known as sodium chloride) may lead to high blood pressure, a condition called hypertension.

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How Do Water Softeners Work:

Water softeners or whole house water treatment systems use a process called ion exchange to remove minerals from a water supply before it enters the home. This involves passing the water through a tank filled with resin beads that are coated with ions of either sodium or potassium chloride.

In simple terms, the sodium or potassium ions in the water softener swap places with the calcium or magnesium ions (which are the hard minerals that cause hard water stains and limescale) in a domestic water supply.

What To Consider Before Purchase:

o Firstly, sodium chloride is usually less expensive than potassium chloride although the latter is better for the environment. This is because the system has to have the brine solution discharged to recharge the ions on the resin beads.

o If the potassium solution is discharged it has less impact on the environment and can actually be put on lawns as potassium is a key plant nutrient!

o Contrary to a common misconception, using sodium salt in your water softener will not adversely affect your plumbing. Most modern plumbing is made of PVC plastic and is not affected by increased levels of either sodium or potassium chloride. Sodium salt can, however, reduce the amount of maintenance required for your brine tank.

o For those concerned about the health issues of how much sodium is put into the water by a water softener, the answer is, it all depends. The harder your water supply the more sodium ions are needed to soften it. That said, studies indicate that even water softened with sodium chloride has a low concentration of sodium.

o The costs of water softeners are usually far outweighed by the benefits and cost savings obtained, through using softened water.

Your local health department can tell you the sodium and other mineral content of your community's water supply.

Options if Your Tap Water is High in Sodium:

o Consider switching to another type of water-purification system.

o Buy demineralized water for drinking and cooking.

o Softening only the hot water and using unsoftened cold water for drinking and cooking.

Ultimately the choice between sodium or potassium salts in your water softener is a personal one, depending on the presence of potential health issues with your water supply, cost, and environmental priorities.

Whichever one you decide on, the advantages of a water softener far outweigh the disadvantages. As well as all the above they can also be helpful in reducing cleaning time by preventing hard water stains and limescale forming around the home.

Water Softeners - 3 Critical Things to Consider Before Buying a Water Softener

WATER SOFTENER

Dave Matthews Before These Crowded Streets Rock Music CD Review

Before These Crowded Streets is the latest release from Rock Artist Dave Matthews, and I can only think of one word to describe it... AWESOME!

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Before These Crowded Streets opens with a great track, Panatala Naga Pampa, that I suspect will be heard on radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so. It's a really nice track.

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One of the refreshingly nice things about this CD is the way all of the participating artists seem to be really enjoying themselves. Combine that with the overall presentation and you've got one of Dave Matthews's most impressive releases ever.

Listen to Before These Crowded Streets and I believe you'll find there's not much to dis-like about it. The songs are inspired, the production is simply outstanding, and Dave Matthews is clearly in top form. So much so that if you're even mildly into Rock music you'll enjoy this CD.

While the entire CD is really very good the truly standout tunes are track 3 - The Last Stop, track 9 - The Dreaming Tree, and track 11 - Spoon.

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 - Panatala Naga Pampa. Wow!

Before These Crowded Streets Release Notes:

Dave Matthews originally released Before These Crowded Streets on April 28, 1998 on the RCA Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Panatala Naga Pampa

2. Rapunzel

3. Last Stop, The

4. Don't Drink The Water

5. Stay (Wasting Time)

6. Halloween

7. Stone, The

8. Crush

9. Dreaming Tree, The

10. Pig

11. Spoon

Dave Matthews Band: Dave Matthews (acoustic guitar, vocals); Boyd Tinsley (violin); Leroi Moore (alto, soprano, tenor & baritone saxophones, pennywhistle, bass clarinet); Stefan Lessard (bass); Carter Beauford (drums, percussion, background vocals). Additional personnel: Alanis Morissette (vocals); Tim Reynolds (electric guitar, mandolin); Bela Fleck (banjo); John D'Earth (trumpet); Butch Taylor (piano, organ); Greg Howard (Chapman stick); Tawatha Agee, Cindy Mizelle, Brenda White King (background vocals). Kronos Quartet: David Harrington, John Sherba (violin); Hank Dutt (viola); Joan Jeanrenaud (cello). Recorded at the Record Plant, Sausalito, California and Electric Lady Studios, New York, New York.

Dave Matthews Before These Crowded Streets Rock Music CD Review

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Learn How To Operate Water Softeners Before You Get One

If you are searching for water softeners for your home, it would be good to know how to use one. It is very simple to use most domestic water softening systems although there may be slight differences per brand and model. Basically, most types of softeners will have similar rules to follow, basic installation instructions and maintenance directions.

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Majority of water softening systems use sodium to eliminate hard water. People with high blood pressure, kidney problems or other medical conditions that restrict sodium in their diet should consider using potassium instead of salt or sodium. The sodium or potassium has a special compartment in the machine.

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Other parts of a softener appliance are the brine tank, the resin tank, a main valve that connects the appliance to your home plumbing system, and a bypass valve that you can use to do maintenance checks without turning off your home's water supply. There are also control panels and timers on the unit.

To start using water softeners, fill the brine tank with the recommended amount of water. Check you manual for the correct water level. If you can't find the manual that is supposed to come with the unit, search for your answer online on the manufacturer's website. Most appliance manufacturers have online versions of the printed manual or directions.

After filling the brine tank with water place the recommended amount of sodium or potassium in the proper compartment. Sodium is less expensive than potassium and you can find both at a hardware store. If you are using potassium, be careful not to place more than one pack of potassium because too much potassium can ironically harden water.

Set the time and date you placed the softening ingredient on the control panel. Now, set the right hardness level on the machine. You can determine your hardness level before installing your softener. You can test your water hardness with a home test kit that can be bought at a hardware store or from a dealer that supplies water softeners. Setting the correct hardness level will make your machine work efficiently.

Set your water system to recharge automatically. The ideal time for recharging is when everyone at home are asleep. For the recharging to be efficient, it needs to work when hot water is not being used in the household. So, around midnight or after midnight is a good time when dishes or laundry are done and when people at home have finished taking hot baths.

Recharging of water softeners are performed in regular intervals. You can manually choose the intervals. If your unit comes with a sensor, it can automatically recharge when needed. For manually set recharging, you should ask the manufacturer for the ideal intervals between charging.

Learn How To Operate Water Softeners Before You Get One

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4 Tips To Consider Before Buying Home Water Softeners

Home water softeners are appliances that removes the magnesium and calcium ions in your hard water and replaces them with sodium ions. Some water softening systems use potassium instead of sodium. Too much calcium and magnesium make water hard causing various problems to household appliances and your water pipes and plumbing fixtures.

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Hard water leaves calcified residue on faucets, sinks, tableware, and tubs. It also leaves stains on your bathroom tiles and bathtub, stiff and discolored laundry, dry skin and hair, and broken appliances such as coffee makers, laundry washers, water heaters, and dish washers.

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Water that is not softened can also raise your energy bill because your water heater will not function properly making it work harder to maintain the proper temperature, therefore using up more energy. To get soap scum out of tableware and laundry, you will also need to use the rinse cycle more often, which also raises your electric bill.

Given that, you may be better off purchasing a water treatment system rather than pay thousands of dollars to replace pipes and appliances. Getting the right kind of home water softeners can also help you save money on utility bills. Here are some steps to take that may help you choose the right softening system for your home:

1. Find out how much water your household consumes. The average American family of 4 or 5 uses about 400 to 500 gallons per day, according to studies by the US Geological Survey. That's about 80 to 100 gallons per person. Just multiply 80 or 100 by the number of people in your household.

2. There are 2 main types of home water softeners to choose from. One type of system softens water at a specific time of day, each day automatically. This type also has a timer that determines when water is already softened and turns the unit off accordingly. The second type of softener works on demand when you determine when water needs to be softened. This type is more ideal for those with fluctuating water needs each day.

3. Another factor to look into when you are searching for a softener system is the ease of cleaning. You will need to clean your water softening system occasionally to prevent salt particles from reaching your water supply and leaving residue on your dishes and water fixtures. Get home water softeners that need minimal cleaning and that is easy enough to clean on your own. Calling for a cleaning service can cost money too.

4. Before paying for a softening system, make sure that the unit has parts available and a service center nearby. It can be a problem if the unit eventually breaks down and you can't find spare parts for it or can't find someone who can fix it. You don't have to go without softened water for too long if there are parts and a service center nearby.

Another good tip is to check reviews online about different brands and companies that provide home water softeners and home service. These companies can also advice you on which unit is best suited for your household and requirements.

4 Tips To Consider Before Buying Home Water Softeners

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