Showing posts with label Softeners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Softeners. Show all posts

Friday, October 14, 2011

Electronic Water Softeners

Well if you are surprised with the popularity of electric water softeners you don't need to be as they are gaining more and more popularity with every passing day thanks to the advantages they provide to their consumers. It is the use of technology that has made them more popular and preferable as compared to traditional salt based water softeners. The use of electromagnetic waves instead of salts allows them to perform their work amazingly and accurately. Also these are the devices that don't require maintenance and you will not have to bear continuous salt which is something for sure to release a lot of pressure from your pocket.

They are the type of water softeners that usually comes with a warranty of 5 to 20 years and does not require as much maintenance as you need to give to other traditional softeners. All you need to do is to get them installed and they are all set to operate.

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

There are also many magnetic type softeners which are available in the market today. What makes them so popular is their ability of being flow independent. With magnetic type softeners you needed to make sure that the water lines are refitted and the flow of the water is slow enough just to make sure that the ions are regularly mixed up.

This however is not the case with the electric type water softeners. They only get installed at one particular portion of the pipe which ensures that you will not have to maintain or refit your water pipe lines. This procedure is a lot more less costly compared to their magnetic counterparts.

Technology has really advanced as there are now also electric water softeners that are available in the market which are even programmed to send varying electromagnetic pulses, which play an important role to soften the existing balance in your water pipes.

They are programmed to work such as they will travel through your pipes and will balance the amount of precipitates that needs to be there in your water. They indeed make sure you get a great and a whole lot more efficient water flow in your whole water pipe system.

You may hesitate to get them installed because of the fear that they might effect other electromagnetic appliances in your home but don't worry they don't do so as they only operate in a very limited and specified range just to ensure this doesn't happen.

Electronic Water Softeners

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Monday, October 10, 2011

Information on Kinetico Water Softeners

When it comes to detecting hard water, the signs can be quite obvious. That is precisely why it is a little bit easy to determine if you have to soften your water or not. However, the most difficult part is deciding which softener is best for your home, with a starting point being Kinetico water softeners.

The first thing you need to know is how water softeners really work. They are not the same as a water filter either. Basically, filters remove water contaminants while softeners soften hard water by reducing its mineral contents. This is where the transformation from hard to soft water occurs. You have to realize that when it's hard, it usually contains calcium deposits as well as magnesium metal, in some cases, bicarbonates and sulfates.

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

In order for your tap water to be considered soft, those afore mentioned minerals should be reduced or completely removed. This is where Kinetico water softeners work well. First off, Kinetico's softeners use a three tank system, compared to the two tank systems that standard softeners utilize. Typically, the first tank is the mineral tank, while the second is the brine tank. The third tank is to make it soft, once it has been treated.

The extra tank will allow you to have an almost continuous supply of soft water, where two-tank systems will have you waiting for several minutes to have soft water. This is why many online softener reviews favor Kinetico water softeners. The mineral tank is typically filled with zeolites or polystyrene beads. One great feature of a Kinetico water softener that many individuals love is that it does not use an electric pump. The whole softening process really relies on a turbine which is responsible for moving the water from tank to tank.

The use of a patented turbine instead of an electric pump makes the Kinetico softeners more cost-efficient compared to other softeners. Keep in mind that hard water can drastically damage water filters. There are many good filters out there such as the Aqua Pure filters or a Berkey filter that filters contaminants well but gets damaged easily because of the hardness.

This is why you will need to have your tap water checked for hardness and contaminants before buying anything. If the test results show that your water has less than 17.1 ppm (parts per million), then it is considered soft and you will not need any softeners. Filtering would be another story; it would depend on the contaminants present.

Information on Kinetico Water Softeners

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Saturday, October 8, 2011

The Benefits of Sears Water Softeners

Sears water softeners function by removing the calcium, magnesium and other minerals from the hard water thereby making it soft and fit for being used. Since majority of the residences in America receive hard water which is not only corrosive in nature but unhealthy for consumption as well, the use of water softeners is recommended with the intention of maintaining the good health of the family.

The installation of Sears water softeners saves the members of the family from a number of health hazards like diseases and disorders, but also ensures the long life of kitchen equipment and the plumbing system. This is because while the kitchen equipment is likely to get spoiled very quickly if washed with hard water over a period of time, the plumbing system is in the danger of getting clogged due to crystallization. All these destructive effects are due to the high levels of minerals which are naturally dissolved in the water prior to being supplied in the homes for domestic use.

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

The technologically advanced Sears water softeners are user friendly in the sense that they can be operated easily by the varied age groups living in the house without any dangers or hazards. They are cost effective as well due to which a family can easily afford to place one in each part of the house for complete elimination of hard water. Therefore, while a machine in the kitchen would supply pure and soft water for drinking and washing kitchen utensils, the one in the bathroom would ensure sufficient lather while using soaps and shampoos and the one in the laundry would ensure long life of the clothes. Therefore, this equipment is an ideal choice as well as a worthy investment for a family who wishes to reduce the suffering and loss caused by the hard water usage over a period of time.

The Benefits of Sears Water Softeners

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Friday, September 9, 2011

Best Over the Counter Stool Softeners - How to Soften the Stool With Laxatives

Constipation is one among the most common ailments that the individuals go through. Two out of every ten persons start off late for their work as they spend unwanted time in the toilet. While, there are several diet & exercises available to cure these, not every body has the time to go accordingly with exercise schedule. Are the over the counter (OTC) stool softeners a right resort to constipation? Or to say like , are laxatives good enough to soften the stool?

Let us understand the concept of laxatives and softening of the stool with some analysis

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

As we know, the over the counter products are those medicines that are advertised frequently and the user buys them with out any medical prescription. Laxatives primarily come in 7 different types. The ones that are most commonly advertised are bulk forming, stool softeners, lubricants, saline & stimulant and, of course the combination of 2 or more of these.

How do laxatives work towards softening the stool ?

· They add bulk & water to the stools. Actually in case the stool formed in larger size, it triggers the bowel and helps it in smoother contraction & hence moves it out more forcefully. The bulk forming laxatives perform the best for this particular function.

· Drinking lots of water and other fluids along with the laxatives & the softeners makes them more effective and reduces their side effects.

· They quote it with with glycerin suppositories so that it holds the water with more strength. It also lubricates the inside parts of the anus so that stool passes out smoothly.

· They mix the body fluids in side the stools in order to soften them.

· How ever you must not take laxatives in the long run. Taking these for a week is enough. Over usage of the laxatives can lead to many health problems.

Some of the commonly used OTC stool softeners and laxatives are FV Laxative Plus Stool Soften Oral, Fruit-Eze Regularity Blend and Miralax.

Best Over the Counter Stool Softeners - How to Soften the Stool With Laxatives

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

The Benefits of Magnetic Water Softeners

With the array of choices we have for softening hard water, it can be difficult to decide which method will work best. Therefore, cost is one factor to consider as well as how the unit is set up, its size and its softening capacity.

Testing water hardness is as simple as getting a water test kit from a pool supplier or an establishment that sells water softener systems. Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon (GPG), parts per million (PPM), or milligrams per liter (MG/L). Water that measures 3.5 to 7 GPG is considered hard water.

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Magnetic water softeners rely on the use of ordinary magnets. The magnets are mounted opposite one another, either outside or inside a water pipe. The water flows between these magnets, through the magnetic field, which affects the ions. A chemical reaction takes place, altering the molecular structure of hard water minerals.

This reaction will take one of two forms: Magnetic or electrostatic. During a magnetic process, the collision process of magnesium or calcium ions is sped up. This takes place in a cool environment, and as a result, lessens the buildup of scale. In contrast, during an electrostatic process, an electrical charge forces the ions to repel one another. The ions are not able to bond and form scale. The main functions of magnetic water softeners are applicable in heating and cooling.

Magnetic water softeners are the subject of much debate, and magnetic water softening systems cannot usually be purchased via retailers. The effectiveness claims made by manufacturers are often backed up by anecdotal evidence, though scientific studies have been done. The outcomes are inconclusive. While it is acknowledged that magnetism does, indeed, alter the hard minerals, the exact effects on the water are unclear. The consensus is that scale formation can be reduced by magnetic treatment; however, the reduction of scale appears to be minimal, roughly 10 percent. An advantage to using a magnetic water softener is that it is a non-chemical treatment.

When it comes to magnetic water softeners, being an educated consumer is the best policy. Explore different types and manufacturers. Compare prices. Other things to consider are what type of environment the water softener will be set up in, the size, installation, and construction of the unit.

The Benefits of Magnetic Water Softeners

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

How Stool Softeners Work

When your digestive system is not working properly there is not enough fluid to keep the stool from being dry and hard. Stool softeners are a substance that helps draw water back into the stool making it easier to pass. They do not make you go, they soften your stool so it is easier to go. Stool softeners are a type of laxative that requires you to drink lots of fluids in order for them to work properly.

Stool softeners are available in liquid, syrup and capsule, or form. They take one to three days to work, but should not be used more than a week without talking to your doctor. Each dose should be taken with a full glass of water or juice and you should drink plenty of fluids while taking them. The liquid form is bitter and mixing it with juice will cut down on the bite.

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Be aware that there may be some side effects associated with stool softeners. If diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, and bloating last more than a week, please, contact your physician. Contact your physician immediately if you experience vomiting, have a fever, or trouble breathing or swallowing.

There are many over the counter varieties of this medication, so you should ask your pharmacist for the best one to use. Some stool softeners are combined with a more severe form of laxatives with the stimulation that induces bowel movements and may be more uncomfortable. As with any laxative, consultation with a health care professional is a wise move. Any medication to treat constipation should only be used after alternatives have been explored.

How Stool Softeners Work

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Water Softeners

Water softening is probably the most popular of all water treatment technologies. Although there is much mis-conception about how a water softener works, the end result of a proper application is always the same. Water softeners bring most families a much higher quality of household water. Mineral deposits are eliminated. Water spots on shower walls and glassware, gone! Laundry comes out cleaner and softer. No more soap deposits left in the clothing causing itching and rashes. The total overall quality of the water improves, and truly does feel "softer".

When is a water softener needed? Just about any time the water comes from a ground water source such as a dug or drilled well. About the only time one can argue against the benefits of water softening is if the water is drawn from a surface supply such as a lake. Even rivers generally pick up mineral content as they flow over the ground and become "hard water".

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Water hardness is measured in grains of hardness per gallon or liter. It can also be measured in PPM with 17.1 ppm per one grain of hardness. Water over 7 grains hard begins to benefit from the effects of water softening. At 10 grains the effects of softening are readily noticeable. At 15 grains of hardness rush out and buy a water softener, you will be pleased you did.

David's believe-it-or-not says the most common complaint I have heard about the effects of soft water are: No 1-the dishes are very slippery when wet (true) and No 2- my hair has gone all pouffy! (true again-the mineral deposits are gone!)

How does a water softener work? Does a water softener leave salt in my water? Let's get this straight once and for all. A water softener works on a system called "ion exchange". For every grain of hardness (calcium/magnesium) your water softener takes out of the water-IT MUST REPLACE IT WITH AN EQUAL AMOUNT OF SALT. Let me repeat this. The softener exchanges the calcium with salt. The calcium is actually a salt as well, so I should properly say that the calcium salts are replaced with sodium salts. If the softener works perfectly, the exchange would be exact but this is not possible. There is always more salt left in the water than the amount of calcium it removed. The ratio of exchange used to be terrible, and still is in some older model systems. But many newer technologies incorporate systems of rinsing that reduce the left over salt in your water to very acceptable standards. The exchange can be measured with a TDS meter which every salesman should carry, or he is not testing your water properly. The increase in TDS from your feed water to your product water will identify how much excessive salt is left behind. An efficient softener leaves less salt behind than in one gallon of water than is found in one piece of white bread.

A water softener should not be installed where a sodium restricted diet is recommended. Although I would suggest that the softener still be installed if the water warrants the application, and a reverse osmosis unit be placed in the kitchen to remove the salt, and all other impurities, for cooking and drinking water. Water softeners will often remove small amounts of iron from your water. But this will increase the salt used, and the salt left behind. Larger amounts of iron, over 1mg/ltr will cause excessive salt use, and eventually foul the bed of the softener. A water softener should not be used as the primary means of reducing iron in water.

Another consideration in softening is your septic system. Water softeners rinse large amounts of salt into your drain water. If you are on a septic system, as many rural systems are, you will damage the cement holding tank and salt will harm vegetation in the area where the septic is located. Potassium Chloride is a suitable replacement under these circumstances, or if you just want to be more environmentally conscious in your water treatment application. Potassium is far less corrosive and does not have as much negative impact on the environment. Potassium is also often recommended as a sodium replacement for people on salt restricted diets. (although my preference where health concerns are an issue, is the application of a reverse osmosis after the softener).

Saltless Water Softeners? RUBBISH! There are no saltless water softeners which have been tested and certified. But lots of them have been tested and discarded as rubbish. The Water Quality Association is an organization which is there to inform and protect the public in regards to the water treatment industry. To my knowledge they have tested many electronic, electric, or magnetic devices and found that none of them remove one grain of hardness from water. Some of these devices will reduce scaling, the effect of mineral deposits sticking to surfaces, but none of them remove anything from the water. Once again, I see this as dealerships and sales people who just want to get the sale, so they give the customer what the customer wants. A magic wand. Well I can supply you with magic wands for .29 so don't pay more than that for any magic wands. I am sure these statements will ruffle some feathers, but until I see the WQA certifying a saltless water softener, I will stick to my statements.

If you install a water softener in your home, and keep it for six months to get used to it, you will not likely ever be without one. I have had mine for 14 years now. Yup, the same one. Make a wise purchase and you will have a long lasting piece of equipment.

I have said many times, " a wise and educated consumer makes wise choices". Your water, your health, your responsibility.

Water Softeners

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Water Softeners Buying Guide

This water softeners buying guide will help you get a better overview of the water softener manufacturers in the market and what they offer. It's important to navigate through each of these before you make your decision as to which model you'll purchase and use.

The Autotrol line of water softeners range from softeners to be used in the home to softeners that can be used in commercial buildings. They come as complete units.

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

These systems will have the following features: a 12-volt wall mount transformer, a microprocessor which monitors your actual daily water usage, an good looking unit, the ability to renew itself, simple program, a NOVRAM memory chip to store water usage data, new efficient valve design, automatic flow control, internal bypass to provide water during regeneration, among others.

These water softeners range in price from around 0 to around 00 based upon the size of the water softener. The conveniences that are included in some of the softener tanks and not others will also affect the price tag of the overall unit. These softeners are well worth the investment as they will work hard to make your water the best possible for you.

The Fleck water softeners have a variety of features on the products they offer. Each softener in their line focus on one aspect on water softening and will come in a range of sizes with that focus.

For example, the Fleck 2510 line is a line of water softeners that claim an on-demand status. These are typically residential softeners and will help control the amount of water used in the home. The meter is "on-demand" so that no water is wasted in the process of turning on or off the water. These are high flow softeners and have the benefit of being time tested units.

The Fleck 2510SE line of softeners are also "on-demand." They also help to conserve water and limit the amount of water wasted. Yet, these are controlled by simplified electronic units. The tanks that come with these units will vary in size which will help determine their price. They will range from around 0 to around 50.

The final Fleck product line is the Fleck 5600 Ecominder. This product, as explained by its name, is one that is more environmentally friendly and will work to help keep the planet safe. This will help control the amount of water and salt you use and they are economically priced. They will range from 0-0.

The last line of products in this water softeners buying guide are the Clack WS1 water softener systems. They feature state of the art electronics and include a high flow rate. They are often used in combination with simple end operations for those that will control and operate them.

These tanks have high capabilities. They will range from 24,000 grain to 64,000 grain tank. They are controlled through the Clack WS1 high flow rate valve. They will differ in the amount of water they expel per minute.

The tanks themselves and the control of those tanks are all run by the state of the art technology on the Clack design. These tanks will range in price from around 0 to about 0. They can be purchased and shipped to you which will leave you to install and start using them based on the included instructions.

If you own a commercial business within an area that has hard water it's more important than ever to ensure that you have a water softener that works well. This will mean that all water used in your business will be as healthy as possible while being used in appropriate amounts and not being wasted.

The units that are designed for higher capacities are what every business needs. Their warranties and state of the art technology will help keep costs down and give the best water possible.

Water Softeners Buying Guide

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS