Why do you need a water softener?

Hard water is a common problem in Florida. Virtually anyone with a residential well and pump system deals with the effects of it. Hard water is formed when rainwater percolates down through the limestone and rock underneath the soil and into the aquifer from which we pump our water. The water dissolves the rock as it filters through to the aquifer and it becomes laden with minerals such as calcium and magnesium.

If you have hard water, you have probably noticed that your detergents don’t produce suds or lather; they just form a type of precipitate called soap scum. Although that is an annoyance, the real problem with hard water is that it costs you money. It forms limescale inside your plumbing, causing pipes to clog, and it forms deposits inside appliances such as your hot water heater that causes them to work harder and use more energy.

How does a softener work?

Well, it can get sort of complicated but let’s take the easy route. The hard water from your well is pumped through a tank of small resin beads in your water softener. The calcium and magnesium in your hard water is chemically exchanged with sodium or potassium. Sodium and potassium do not react with pipes and detergents the way calcium and magnesium does, so the water is now called soft water.

Some people worry about the salt levels in softened water but it has been found to be very safe according to the United States Food and Drug Administration.

How does that help you?

Water softeners prevent the buildup of limescale. They protect your plumbing from calcium and magnesium and also increase the life of your dishwasher, clothes washer and hot water heater.

A softener also protects your faucets and fixtures, as well as your tub, washbasin and toilet finishes, from damaging hard water deposits and stains.

When it comes to quality of life, soft water allows your skin’s natural oils to surface making your skin softer and smoother. Your soap and shampoo lather better and rinse cleaner giving your hair a lustrous shine. Shaving is made much more comfortable and is smoother. Dishes look cleaner and there is less spotting on your glassware. Showers, tubs and sinks are easier to clean because there is less soap residue left on the surface.

A water softener pays for itself through savings on energy, water, cleaning products and detergents. It increases the heating efficiency of your water heater almost 30 percent and you use 1/3 less detergent to get your clothes cleaner, softer, brighter and whiter. It also lets you use fewer additives to your laundry, thereby increasing the life of the fabric of your clothes.

What is the best softener for you?

Through our many years of experience we have dealt with many water-softening systems. We have found Northstar Water Treatment Systems to be the best quality for the price systems on the market today.

Here are a few of the reasons why:

• Northstar’s patented programming system monitors your water use and determines when a regeneration of the softener is needed. You use up to 60 percent less salt. The system learns your water use patterns and becomes more efficient as it learns. This “Look Ahead” system also calculates the precise amount of salt and water to use to regenerate only the portion of the resin beads that have been used. This saves you salt, water and money and is why North Star softeners lead the industry in rated efficiencies.

• In the event of a loss of power, North Star water softeners maintain accurate time for up to 72 hours — without batteries using the Super Cap Time Keeper. For longer power outages, only the current time needs to be re-entered; the system remembers the rest.

• North Star water softeners are securely sealed with Enviroseal Circuitry Protection to guard circuitry from salt corrosion and high humidity so your water softener lasts longer.

• No vacation setting is required. If you’re not using water, it does not regenerate. That saves salt, water and money.

• North Star pioneered Counter Current Regeneration where brine water is drawn into the bottom of the resin tanks, which enhances the regeneration process. This is the preferred method but practiced by only select manufacturers.

• Northstar’s heavy-duty valve has fewer moving parts so there is less to go wrong. Their proven valve design is why there are over 2 million systems in operation today.

• The 24-volt electrical system reduces electrical hazards.

• Northstar has a high capacity resin tank that uses a long-life resin for the most efficient use of salt and water.

• All their softener systems are double-lined for strength and durability.

• The Northstar brine valve assembly has a proven design that ensures precise brining for the life of the softener.

• Northstar water softeners use water pressure to constantly agitate the resin bed. This keeps the bed free of iron, dirt, and other solids so it runs at peak efficiency and capacity.

• Their softeners are designed and built with less moving parts and no metallic parts to rust or corrode. Their advanced filtration technology and cutting edge computer controls provide uniformly consistent softened water.

Who do you call when you want the best water softener in the area?

Northstar only sells their systems to proven professionals like Hefner Plumbing. They know their system will be installed to perfection each and every time. If you are suffering with the effects of hard water, give us a call and we will install a premium Northstar system and get you back on track.