There are many ways for us to soften hard water but it will be so hard to decide which method to choose that will work best
. One thing that we need to consider is installation and the cost of such unit. We also need to check its softening capacity and the durability of the equipment.
It will be easier to check the hardness of water if you use a water test kit that is mostly available in water softener stations. Water is called hard water if it measures around 3.5 to 7 GPG (grains per gallon). Other measurement determinants of water hardness are scaled on PPM (parts per million) or MG/L (milligrams per liter).
One of the latest update in softening water is the so-called magnetic water softeners that use ordinary magnets as its way to soften water. Because it is believed that magnets have special properties that will lead to a chemical reaction in water because of its magnetic effects, the ions in water will then be affected altering the minerals' molecular structure. This is just the wonderful benefits of magnets in water pipes. Magnetic water softeners will create one out of the two processes based on the chemical reaction that will be formed. This could either be magnetic and electrostatic. As a matter of fact, the main functions of magnetic water softeners will be more apt in the heating and cooling process of water. In a magnetic process, the magnesium or calcium ions will collide to lessen the formation of scales while in electrostatic process, the ions will be force to repel because of electrical charge ending in the formation of scales.
Many would still prefer to buy magnetic water softeners because it does not involve chemical treatment it and only ordinary magnets are responsible for its chemical reaction. But then, it is not as widely available in the market as you could hardly buy it via retailers. It is also a hot topic for debate whether its effectiveness to soften water has huge effects on the hard water state. The direct manufacturers of such equipment claimed that their system went through scientific studies and has anecdotal evidence. Though they are able to prove that magnetism does alter the hard minerals, still its effects are insignificant. The reduction of scales formed out of magnetic process is only ten percent of the hard water.
Every time you want to buy something, you would always consider first the manufacturer of the product and as well as canvassing on the different prices. Choosing the right product for you is a wise decision to make. In getting a magnetic water softener unit, you would consider its installation, size and the type of environment where it will be installed. You have to note that it will be additional expense on your part.