With a softener, you have two choices to use to regen the resin (or called back washing)

Most common is salt, that will result in "the feeling silky, some call it slimy"

The reaction between a triglyceride molecule (fat) and sodium hydroxide (lye) to make soap yields a molecule of glycerol with three ionically bonded molecules of sodium stearate (the soap part of soap). This sodium salt will give up the sodium ion to water, while the stearate ion will precipitate out of solution if it comes into contact with an ion that binds it more strongly than sodium (such as the magnesium or calcium in hard water).

The magnesium stearate or calcium stearate is a waxy solid that you know as soap scum. It can form a ring in your tub, but it rinses off your body. The sodium or potassium in soft water makes it much more unfavorable for the sodium stearate to give up its sodium ion so that it can form an insoluble compound and get rinsed away.

Instead, the stearate clings to the slightly charged surface of your skin. Essentially, soap would rather stick to you than get rinsed away in soft water.

We recommend using Potassium chloride rather than salt to eliminate that slippery-when wet feeling after rinsing the soap off. Also you're not adding salt to your drinking water.

During the softening process, sodium is released from the exchange media into the output water. For every grain of hardness removed from water,

8 mg/1 (ppm) of sodium is added. People on restricted sodium intake diets should account for increased levels of sodium in softened water. Your family physician should be consulted.

Sodium intake from softened water can be avoided by have a reverse osmosis kitchen tap drinking and cooking.

Substituting potassium chloride for sodium chloride may be appropriate if health or environmental reasons necessitate restricting sodium.

Potassium chloride is more expensive and adheres more strongly to the resin, reducing the exchange efficiency when compared with sodium chloride.

Salt is about $7 a bag Potassium is $30

My problem isn't with the chlorine as an additive as I am sure it won't make me sick because it is controlled (famous last words), the problem for me is it stinks and it kills my wife's hair. By getting rid of the chlorine both those problems have been noticeably solved. Let them clean the water up to my front door, that's wonderful, but once it gets in my house I don't want it. I'm thankful the "county does yearly testing" but many things could possibly happen in the 364 days they do not test like using more than needed on any of those days.

Re: Reported calcium build up
 

Porcelain is essentially a glass coating on metal. You may have a calcium coating on your sink but it has not eroded the sink-it is a coating on the sink. Try using vinegar on it. Do not use vinegar with chlorine bleach as it will release chlorine gas. You can also use vinegar to clean shower heads etc.

To remove calcium deposits from porcelain sinks and toilets, buy a pumice stone at the swimming pool section at Home Depot or at ACE Hardware. Get it wet and gently rub it on the deposits. It works WAY better than CLR or vinegar. But, I wouldn't use it on a shower head or faucet. I had heavy calcium deposits on my toilet bowls, and they were sparkling clean in less than 10 minutes.

I've never had a water softener so I'm wondering how long this potassium chloride lasts in the system? How often do you have to add more to the system?

Same amount of time/gallons as salt, some softeners (not ours) may require a programming change, the frequency to add depends on water use and the size of the resin bed.

Using potassium chloride may be appropriate if health or environmental reasons necessitate restricting sodium.

Potassium is an essential mineral for plants; whereas, sodium can damage plant tissues.
When the softener re-generates it creates waste water,
this diluted wastewater is beneficial to a shrubs, plants & grass covered drain field.

http://www.novafiltration.com/nova-water-softener/

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How long would a bag of Potassium last? A week, month, six months?

As I said it depends how much water you use.

For example some homes use 1,500 Gallons a month some 4,000

On average the tank starts off with two bags that will last 4-5 months. 6-8 bags a year approximately

You're more than welcome to call with for detailed info if you wish
352.566.2649

Bob

I use tap water unfiltered for everything. Just saying

Been here seven years. Only water filter we have is on the refrigerator. Paying hundreds or even thousands for filter systems is a scam and a ripoff. My drinking water is mostly Pellegrino.

Honestly it depends on what you like. For us, the convenience of getting clean, good tasting water from every tap rather than having to run to the fridge is more than worth the cost of installing and maintaining a filter system. Ditto a softener. Saying it is a scam and a ripoff is a bit harsh. I think what you really meant was for you, its not worth the cost, and that's fine. For us, it is and having a quality source for installation, service and support like Nova is great. There may be other less-than-reputable companies that try to sell you something you don't want or need based on fear, uncertainty and doubt, but I've never had anything but a positive experience with Nova. I give them high marks for honesty, integrity and responsiveness.
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bc

:blahblahblah: In YOUR OPINION. RIght?

Check out the documentary, “Tapped”, on amazon prime and YouTube. I’ve always been a bottled water guy. Now considering water filtration system.

Have lived in 11 different homes over 80 yrs scattered up and down East Coast, have never had filtration except on Fridge. Never felt the need. :a040:

I have never had a water filter or softener either. The worst water I ever experienced was in Saudi Arabia, where taking a shower made your skin turn white with calcium deposits. But, I survived a year there. Compared to most other places, I think The Villages has pretty good water. I don't fault someone from buying a filter or softener. But, personally, I don't think I could be convinced that the filter or softener cannot adversely affect the safety of the water, which I believe is already safe to use without any treatment.