Salt Free Water Softener Systems
In these more environmentally aware days many more people are choosing to invest in the benefits of salt free water softeners in their homes and workplaces but what exactly are the benefits of such a system and how do they work?
One of the most popular of these systems is the Pelican NaturSoft salt free water softener. This system utilizes a reservoir of microscopic crystals which attract the calcium carbonate held in solution as it enters the household. As these crystals grow the action of the water moving through the tank causes parts of the crystals to break off and flow through the water system where they act as 'seed crystals', attracting any calcium carbonate which already exists in the system, cleaning your pipe work and appliances as it passes through.
Another popular product which uses the chemical properties of the calcium carbonate cells against it is the NuvoH20 home complete salt free water softening system. This uses a process the company call 'Chelation' to keep the calcium carbonate in suspension and eliminate the formation of lime scale. Here citric acid is added to the water supply as it enters the system, breaking the bonds between the calcium carbonate cells and scouring clean the existing pipe work.
Other popular salt free systems use a small electrical charge to treat the water supply as it enters the property. Relatively inexpensive and easy to fit, the Clearwave electronic water softenersystem is the most well known of this type. These are not exactly water softeners as such but more of a water and household plumbing descaler.
In addition to the well known benefits of all water softening systems, from reduced repair bills, easier and less frequent cleaning of kitchen and bathroom areas and far less soap and detergent usage, salt free water softeners can add several other health and environmental benefits. One of the overlooked benefits of a salt free system is the fact that, although held in suspension, the calcium and magnesium minerals are still present and can be used by our bodies. Calcium is a mineral vital for the formation of healthy teeth and bones and in helping to prevent diseases such as osteoporosis. Magnesium is important for the health of our bones and immune system and helps our body to regulate blood sugar levels, vital to combat such diseases as diabetes.
Factor in the benefit that Salt free systems are of course friendlier, both to our own bodies and ultimately the environment (no extra salt is added to waste water and subsequently pouring into rivers, etc) and it is easy to see why salt free water softeners are gaining in popularity.
