Water softeners - what do I need to know?

[Murtette]

Today's kitchen question is about water softeners. We have horribly hard water so, when doing the kitchen, it seems sensible to get a water softener installed. What do I need to know? I'd always thought that it would cost ££££, be massive and have to be next to the boiler but I'm being told that I can have a smallish unit which costs about £150 and can be under the sink. It sounds a bit too good to be true. Any advice?
Thanks

I have just ordered salt tablets in 10kg bags at £4.56 each delivered. It is a little dearer than buying the 20kg or 25kg bags but will I think be easier to handle and avoid the "tipping a sack" problem. I looked at 8kg blocks but they are rather expensive.

Just thought I'd update my earlier post as been doing some DIY plumbing this last week and visiting my local plumbase shop. They do a series of softeners which are metered, seem quite reasonably priced and come in several sizes for number of people in household. They are called tapworks I think. Also just found out they sell 25kg bags of tablet salt for £8.29 which is less than half the price I was paying at homebase so will save us loads of money.

shows at £7.27 online today looks like a very good price and avoids making rust holes in the boot of your car