Guide to Tankless Water Softeners

No I did not mean tankless water heater, I meant tankless water softener. The days of buying huge, heavy bags of salt are over with this clever device.

How Traditional Water Softeners Work

Traditional water softeners are designed to keep the minerals in water from attaching to the walls of your supply plumbing lines by introducing sodium into the water which breaks down the mineral deposits of iron, lime, and other minerals that may be present in the water. The sodium mixes with the water and the minerals and allows the water to go through the supply system without building up on the pipes which restricts water flow. One of the issues with water softeners, is they have to have large tank that holds a few gallons of water and a large amount of salt pellets that needs to be refilled every few months or more depending on water uses. The water needs to be flushed every week from the softener system which wastes a tremendous amount of water adding to your water bill. This function is performed automatically by your water softener and cannot be avoided for the water softener to function properly. Also, issues with plumbing corrosion around the water softener distribution pipes contribute to water damage when they become old and start to leak.

How a Tankless Water Softener Works

Tankless water softeners require no extra plumbing as they use a low voltage electric signal on the main water supply that resonates throughout the plumbing supply system, preventing the minerals in the water from sticking to the sides of the pipes. This signal is derived form a signal generating box that is mounter to the wall by the supply pipe. A signal wire that plugs into the box is wrapped tightly around the main supply pipe and the box is plugged into the wall. Because no extra plumbing is used and there is no tank to store salt and extra water, this system should last considerably longer and warrant no plumbing issues as a normal water softener would have. Also, there should be considerable water utility savings as there is no need to cycle water at any point. The supply side water is treated as it goes through the piping with it’s normal use. It has been estimated by Energy Star that this appliance could save as much as 25% to 40% on your water bill.

The Big Disadvantage

Like any other new technology, this tankless water softener costs around $850. They are sold as do-it-yourself installable systems, but if you need professional installation, the total cost could be up to $1,000. At this rate, it would take anywhere from 2-5 years for this appliance to pay for itself. This is also only if you live in the city and are paying the city water utility. Rural savings would be minimal if anything at all.

Tankless water softeners are an innovative option to keeping your supply side plumbing healthy while reducing the labor to zero on the upkeep of the water softening system.