Do you get a hard water supply in your home? Are you looking forward to improving the water quality of your home? If so, a water softener is the most important appliance that can help you in the endeavor.

Water softener system helps remove minerals like magnesium and calcium from your water so that you can avoid the troublesome effects of hard water on your appliances, skin, hair, and faucets.

While water softeners play an important role, one of the most common questions homeowners have is, “how long does a water softener system last? Is it possible to extend the lifespan of the softening system?”

Water Softener Lifespan

While there are a variety of water softening systems available in the market, each type last up to 15 years with proper care and maintenance.

  • Salt-based Ion Exchange Water Softener

The lifespan of salt-based ion-exchange softener is 10 to 15 years. This type of water softener exchanges hard minerals like magnesium and calcium for sodium ions which are supplied by the salt in the brine tank. This type of water softener usually uses a single tank for resin and salt brine.

However, remember to use pure type of salt to maintain the life of the system.

  • On-Demand Water Softeners

The on-demand water softeners are similar to standard softeners but with an additional level of functionality. These waters softeners operate more efficiently as they keep a track of the water usage and trigger regeneration only after a predetermined amount of water has been used.

With proper maintenance and care, these systems will last you for 15 years.

  • Dual Tank Water Softener

The dual tank water softener uses two tanks instead of one. While it works like a standard water softener it handles regeneration differently.

Dual tank water systems also regenerate the water on demand. However, when it regenerates one tank, the system switches over to the other tank. This eliminates the need to water for a process to end before you can get your hands on soft water.

With regular maintenance and service, dual tank water softeners can last you anywhere between 10 to 15 years.

Things that Impact the Lifespan of Water Softeners

The lifespan of a water softener is impacted by plenty of things. Here are some of the factors that affect it.

  • Water hardness

When it comes to the lifespan of a water softener, the hardness of water plays an important role. The water hardness is measured as parts per million (PPM) and varies depending on the state you live in.

  • Amount of water used

Another important factor that impacts the lifespan of a water softener is the amount of water you use on a daily basis. If you are using a higher amount of water than average, the system will demand more maintenance. This may also mean you need to replace your system sooner than your neighbor.

To avoid common water softener problems and to extend the lifespan of your system, make sure to work with the right installation and maintenance technicians.

Call Lee’s Heating and Air Conditioning experts to schedule your water softener system maintenance services. 801-467-1561!