I am building a house in So California were the water is pretty hard. Currently I am using a a softener that uses salt and would like to know if anyone knows of a unit that does not need salt.

In the last couple of months I have seen advertisements for a system called LifeSource (does not use salt), but I have tried to find some source that would know if this is a good system or not. The salesperson quoted a figure of $3.5k for a system that would supply a 3,500 sf house.

If someone would comment on systems that do not use salt, or a similar system I would appreciate it.

 

I have an old neighbor that uses potassium. I did a quick google search and found this link

 

If you are concerned about sodium intake relative to a salt based water softener, you probably shouldn't be. While I have no hard scientific facts to back up my experience, I've been installing water softeners for many years, and it's very difficult to get a straight answer on this subject out of anyone out there!

As for the web sites that pass the buck in this area to "ask your doctor," be aware that you probably won't get an answer there either. My father is a retired surgeon and is fairly well informed and says the same thing. They don't know either.

It is my educated hypothesis that the sodium used in the water softening process does not affect your body's chemistry or metabolism. It's not like you are drinking salt water when you consume softened water. The sodium ions are used in the regeneration process to remove the calcium and other mineral ions from your water. The sodium is therefore not dissolved in the water you are consuming, but chemically bonded on a molecullar level and therefore is simply passed through your system and not absorbed.

Potassium Chloride works just as well as Sodium Chloride, though it's more expensive, and as with Sodium, chemically bonds to the resin and not the water you are drinking, so doesn't add Potassium to your diet any more than Sodium is added to your diet using water softener salt.

Just my opinion.....

 

Some salt does get in the water but the concentration is so low it can be ignored. Almost all goes out with the discharge. If you're worried get an undersink RO unit for a couple hundred bucks.
You can buy a LOT of salt for $3500.

 

Hey hobietim, I'm with captwally, but if you want to find out more click on www.nosalt.com

 

Whenever someone asks me about a "salt-free" conditioner, I always ask WHY?
Understanding someone's reasons for NOT wanting something can help you find a solution or correct false impressions.

If there is a fear of salt consumption, then I tell them there is more salt in two slices of enriched white bread than 8 gallons of water.

However, some have experienced water conditioners that were in poor working order and, indeed, produced a salty water, giving a lasting negative impression. Others have listened to old wive's tales and are willing to put more faith in them than scientific papers published by qualified professionals.

If a person wants soft water without salt (or potassium) and doesn't want or can't arrange for rain water deliveries, then a nanofiltration membrane system would be an answer. It would need a membrane bath with citric acid on a periodical basis (to wash away calcium deposits) but would produce, essentially soft water. NOT cheap but doable.

Distillation would be out of the question as time, energy and cost would be prohibitive.

All-in-all, a high effeciency softener followed by an RO is still your best method.

Andy

 

Here's some info from one of the big NaCl and KCl producers ...

http://www.softeningsalt.com/index.html