Have your water tested: There are many variables that can affect the conditions of the water. Having a trained professional come to your home to test your water is the best way to ensure your water problems will be addressed appropriately. Simply agreeing to a price over the telephone can result in disappointing performance and unnecessary purchases.
One size does not fit ALL: Water softener capacity (grain removal capacity) is not the most important factor in selecting the right machine for your home or business. In most instances, the capacity is irrelevant provided the capacity is not exceeded during the course of one 24-hour day. More important is the flow rate. The flow rate will dictate how many showers, sinks, or other water using outlets can be used at the same time.
Buy from a reputable company: Know how long the company has been selling and repairing water softeners. Ask for references in your neighborhood, the price of a service call, and the availability of someone to answer your questions versus their reliance on an answering machine.
Understand how the softener regeneration is initiated: There are three basic regeneration mechanisms: Time clock, Meter, and Aqua-Sensor.
Time clock systems base their regeneration interval on elapsed time. These systems are not sensitive to changes in water use or changes in the water hardness. These systems are the most expensive to operate consuming the most water and salt of any system.
Metered systems base their regeneration interval on water usage but are not to sensitive changes in Water Hardness levels. These systems rely upon a consistent water hardness level to be efficient. If the hardness level fluctuates, the softener will either regenerate too often (wasting salt and water) or not often enough resulting in hard water.
Aqua-Sensor Systems base their regeneration upon the available softening capacity within the resin tank. These systems are sensitive to changes in water usage and water hardness fluctuations. They are the most efficient systems using the least amount of salt and water.
United Water draws water from over 50 different wells within Rockland County. The hardness levels on average can vary from 6 grains per gallon (GPG) to 22 GPG.
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