Water Softeners

Sizing a water softener

Water softener sizing is usually based on the following:

60 gallons per person per day - total household use (water softener sizing guides estimate a 60 gpd usuage of water by each individual in the home)
Three day minimum between regenerations
Capacity between regenerations at factory salt settings or K label capacity
Number of people x 60 gallons per person x grains per gallon of hardness x 3 days = capacity required between regenerations

Water consumption by a water softener

While most water running though a water softener goes to the faucets in your home, the unit must also periodically go through a regeneration process. This process can use considerable amounts of water so it is important to take note of if you are on a well or other water system where water is limited. The amount of water consumed by a water softner during it's regeneration cycle depends on the amount and type of resin, cycle time settings, flow controllers, salt settings and tank diamter. Generally, water usage for regeneration is estimated using the cubic feet of resin per water softener from a low of 30 gallons of water per cubic foot, up to a normal of 75 gallons of water per cubic foot. Exact amounts can usually be determined from manufacturing specs and settings.

3 day sizing method of a water softener

The reasons that the 3 day sizing method for water softeners is used are:

To determine the size of the water softener to be used
To allow for reserve capacity between regenerations so the customer does not run out of soft water
To provide the most economical operation cost.

Water Softeners can be a valuable addition to any home with hard water problems