Types Of Water Softeners

There are many different types of water softeners available to the consumer, and selecting the correct one can be confusing. We’ll try to shed light on some different systems that are available, and hopefully make your selection process a little easier.

Metered Based Water Softeners
Most metered water softeners have a single resin tank, and separate brine (salt) tank. Water softeners have a fixed capacity (based on size) to remove hardness from your water. When that capacity is exhausted, the softener needs to regenerate in order to again provide softened water to your home or business. Metered units (also called "On-Demand") measure the amount of water consumption, and only regenerate when necessary. This saves both salt and water that is used during the softener regeneration process. While costing slightly more than timer (clock) based softeners, metered units will lead to savings over time. There are basically two type of metered water softeners:

Microprocessor Based Metered Water Softeners
These softeners measure water consumption using a turbine that turns as your water is used. An electronic sensor detects the rate of turbine spin and sends a signal to the on-board computer control. Using parameters that are pre-set by the user (capacity, water hardness, etc.), the computer determines when regeneration is required and initiates the regeneration process automatically. We offer the following Microprocessor Metered Water Softener systems:

• WS1SM Water Softener - Autotrol 255/460i (3/4 inch)
• WS1LM Water Softener - Autotrol 255/762 (3/4 inch)
• WS2FM Water Softener – Fleck Aqua-Pro 5000 (1 inch)
• WS3SM-HC Water Softener - Autotrol 268/460i (1 inch)
• WS3LM-HC Water Softener - Autotrol 268/762 (1 inch)
• WS4M Water Softener - Fleck 5600SE (3/4 inch)
• WS5M-HC Water Softener - Fleck 7000SE (1.25 inch)
• WS5MD Water Softener - Fleck 6700 (3/4 inch)
• WS6M Water Softener - Fleck 2510SE (1 inch)
• WS7SM-HC Water Softener - Clack WS1 (1 inch)
• WS8SM-HC Water Softener - Clack WS1 (1.25 inch)

Electro-Mechanical Metered Water Softeners
Similar to the microprocessor based softeners described above, electro-mechanical metered water softeners measure water consumption with a turbine that turns as your water is used. The turbine is connected directly to a mechanical water meter by cable. When the user-set gallon capacity is reached, an electrical motor is activated by a micro-switch, and moves the water softener through the regeneration process. Our available electro-mechanical metered water softener systems are:

• WS4C Water Softener - Fleck 5600EC (3/4 inch)
• WS6C Water Softener - Fleck 2510EC (1 inch)

These metered water softener systems can be purchased online by visiting our Metered Water Softeners page.

Time Clock Based Water Softeners
Time clock water softeners are different from metered water softeners, as they regenerate on a calendar basis. They also generally have a single resin tank softener with separate brine tank - but do not measure water consumption, and only regenerate on the day-of-the-week as set by the user - you pick the day (or days) of regeneration. An electrical motor automatically initiates the regeneration process when the time setting is reached. The eWaterOnline-CAI time clock water based water softeners that we offer are:

• WS1S Water Softener - Autotrol 255/460i (3/4 inch)
• WS1L Water Softener - Autotrol 255/742 (3/4 inch)
• WS3S-HC Water Softener - Autotrol 268/440i (1 inch)
• WS3L-HC Water Softener - Autotrol 268/742 (1 inch) 
• WS4S Water Softener - Fleck 5600 (3/4 inch)
• WS6S Water Softener - Fleck 2510 (1 inch)

Timer (clock) based water softeners can be purchased online by visiting our Timer Water Softeners page

Twin Tank Water Softeners
Twin tank water softeners have two resin tanks and a separate salt/brine tank. Twin tank softeners, also called “twin alternating” water softeners, are always metered (demand).  Twin tank softeners use either an electro-mechanical metering system, or computer based microprocessor meter as described above. Twin tank systems always have a fully regenerated tank available on standby, and deliver uninterrupted 24 hour supply of softened water. During regeneration, water is first passed thru the online tank before entering the tank undergoing regeneration - regeneration using this pre-treated water helps clean the system and extends the water softener lifetime. These units are generally more expensive that the single tank units described above, as they are basically two complete water softener systems combined into one unit.  Our available twin tank Water Softeners are:

• ECT9000 Water Softener - Fleck 9000 (Twin electro-mechanical 3/4 inch)
• ECT9100 Water Softener - Fleck 9100 (Twin electro-mechanical 3/4 inch)
• ECT9100-HC Water Softener - Fleck 9100 (Twin electro-mechanical 1 inch)
• ECT9100-HC Water Softener - Fleck 9100 (Twin electro-mechanical 1 inch)
• SET9000 Water Softener - Fleck 9000 (Twin microprocessor 3/4 inch)
• SET9100 Water Softener - Fleck 9100 (Twin microprocessor 3/4 inch)
• SET9100-HC Water Softener - Fleck 9100 (Twin microprocessor 1 inch)
• SET9100-HC Water Softener - Fleck 9100 (Twin microprocessor 1 inch)

Twin tank water softeners can be purchased online by visiting our Twin Tank Water Softeners page.

We hope that this information helped you to understand water softening, and to select the correct water softener for your application. If you have any questions, or would like to know more about water softeners, please contact us by E-mail or telephone.