Frequently Asked Questions

We often receive questions about various aspects of the H₂options range. Here are a few of the more common queries we get.

What is a water softener?
A water softener removes the calcium and magnesium from your mains water supply to prevent and remove the build up of limescale in your water system. This is a simple process achieved by passing the water over a resin bed contained within the water softener, removing the hardness using a process called ion-exchange. The resin is recharged periodically by rinsing with salt brine solution - this is called regeneration.

Is a scale-inhibiter a water softener?
Most Definitely Not! There has been a lot of misleading information published by some unscrupulous manufacturers in the past, thankfully some of the more reputable makers of these units are now setting the record straight. Some scale-inhibiters can work in some situations, but they are not water softeners and do not achieve the same benefits.

Are all water softeners the same?
No. There is a vast difference between different manufactures and different models. Flow rates in particular need to be taken into account with modern plumbing systems and water usage during the regeneration cycle can be a factor if you have a water meter. Some manufacturers tie you into costly service contracts and like anything in life you get what you pay for.

What is the difference between a Timer and Meter controlled softener?
A timer controlled softener regenerates regularly after a set number of days, regardless of water usage. A meter controlled unit will only regenerate when required depending on the amount of softened water you use, hence reducing running costs. Timer controllers are cheaper to manufacture than metered units, reducing the purchase price of the softener. Provided you size the unit correctly for your household and your water usage is fairly regular, timer units will work very well for you. However, if your water usage is erratic then a metered unit would be better for you.

What are the running costs of a water softener?
All water softeners use salt for the regeneration process and some use a negligible amount of electricity. Salt usage varies according to the type of machine you have, however the cost of the salt is greatly outweighed by the savings you make on soaps, detergents and the cost of heating your water. A water softener pays for itself in 3 years and renting an H₂Options from a participating dealership, a family of 4 can more than recover the cost of renting a water softener every month in savings alone.