Water softener for whole house

[grandschemeofthings]

Does anyone have a water softener for the whole house, ie attached at the main intake point, rather than one just in the kitchen sink?

We live in a very hard water area and limescale is a nightmare so we're weighing up the pros and cons of having one installed. But I've read that drinking softened water isn't necessarily great for you?

Also not clear on how expensive all the salt packages would be long term?

Any intel from someone who's had one installed and found it helpful would be great.

@JDM625

"From memory there are 2 main types, those with and those without electrics. The electric ones flush/recharge the system at a set time each day- normally middle of the night. The problem with that type though is it will do it, even if you haven't used any water all day- such as when on holiday. It also uses water and electric to recharge it."

Umetered softeners run on a timer are AFAIK obsolete now.

Electricity used is negligible. It's a clock.

My softeners have had Fleck valve assemblies which seem to be an industry standard (though there are cheap alternatives.) Parts are readily available and your local water softener company can service them. There are no other moving parts. When you've seen one you will recognise it regardless of the brand name on the box.

IME the companies that advertise in the Sunday papers and send a salesman to your house are more expensive than local companies.

Interesting thanks. They must have been made obsolete very recently, because we've only had the system 2yrs.

yes, our water softener covers the whole house apart from a filtered water tap in the kitchen.

Ours is from Harveys and, as someone else said, best to get them round & they will advise where it can be in stalled etc. We found them very professional & helpful but are a little expensive.

Our softener takes block salt which you can buy from anywhere & we use approx 1 every 4-6 weeks for 2 people who like a very long shower every day.

We have Tee off before the softener to provide cold water to the kitchen tap and outside hose tap. All other water, dishwasher, washing machine, bathrooms etc and hot water to kitche sink are off the softener. Softener takes blocks of salt and has an internal water meter, so only regeneratets when we have used a set amount of water. V pleased with results.

Mine is around 20 years old and is metered.

I think the one before that might have been timed.

Perhaps there was a price difference.

Has anyone got any experience of a water conditioner, instead of a water softener? My plumber has recommended a conditioner instead and says he has one in his own house.

Is it one that relies on magnetism to change the ethical behaviour of the water?

How does it work?

Like this.

https://www.howdoeshomeopathywork.com/

My sister has one. I avoid drinking her water and even tea tastes funny to me. She admitted she may have done something incorrectly!