Water Softener Efficiency

[Freddie]

Hi,
Trying to compare 2 water softeners. One is using a Clack WS1 valve and claims 3,333 Softener Efficiency Rating. The second one is using a FLeck 5810sxt valve and is claiming 4,000 softener efficiency. Is this possible? Can the valve really affect the efficiency rating? Is there something about the 5810 that allows for better efficiency over the WS1?

 

[Bannerman]

This question would have been best suited for the Water Softener forum.

Either of the valves you mention, and most others, will be capable of identical efficiency as efficiency is a matter of programming.

Although water softener resin (the media within a softener) will have a maximum softening capacity based on the resin quantity, to regenerate 100% of that capacity will require the largest amount of salt. Higher efficiency may be realized when only a portion of the total capacity is utilized before regeneration is programmed to occur.

You didn't specify the maximum capacity for the softeners you are considering so I will use a 32,000-grain rated softener as an example which will contain 1 cubic foot (ft3) of resin.

To regenerate all 32K grains (Capacity setting: 32) will require 20 lbs salt. 32,000 / 20 = 1,600 gr/lb efficiency.

To regenerate 24K grains (Capacity setting: 24) of the total 32K will require 8 lbs salt. 24,000 / 8 = 3,000 gr/lb efficiency.

To regenerate 21K grains (C: 21) of the total 32K will require 6 lbs salt = 3,500 gr/lb efficiency.

To regenerate 17K grains (C: 17) of the total 32K will require 4 lbs salt = 4,250 gr/lb efficiency.

Higher efficiency does not come without cost. Because the usable capacity between regeneration cycles is reduced, the softener will need to regenerate more frequently as a result. Because higher efficiency means less salt is utilized each regeneration cycle, the quality of the soft water will less than when using a less efficient salt setting.

To obtain the best compromise of efficiency, capacity and water quality, the most common recommended efficiency will be 3,000 gr/lb (8 lbs/ft3) but if your main concern is efficiency above water quality, then 3,500 gr/lb (6 lbs/ft3) is commonly utilized. While even higher efficiencies are achievable, the water quality is often less than satisfactory.

If you are considering a larger softener, the previous capacity settings and salt amounts would be X1.5 for a unit containing 1.5 ft3 resin (aka 48,000 grains total capacity) or X2 for a softener containing 2 ft3 resin (64,000 grains total capacity).

There is much advertising hype used in water treatment advertising. 'Highest efficiency' or 'lowest salt consumption' is frequently claimed to attempt to make their units appear different than similar units available elsewhere. Because the comparisons are not apples-to-apples, this often leads to confusion for consumers.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Freddie]

Thx Bannerman. That is what I thought. Now I have 2 models that basically have very similar specs except that one of them says the SER is 4,000 while the other one say 3,333. One uses Fleck 5810 valve and the other one Clack WS1. Same 10% cross-linked resin. If everything is equal is there something that might be modified in the valve or added to the resin tank to provide for the capabilty of higher efficiency?

https://www.aquatell.ca/products/aqualux-prosoft-water-softener

https://www.cwts.ca/collections/cla...oftener-variable-sizes?variant=16166265913387

The Aquatell model is SER = 4,000 while the CWTS is 3,300 to 3500 they told me.

 

[Bannerman]

If everything is equal is there something that might be modified in the valve or added to the resin tank to provide for the capability of higher efficiency?

Nothing added to the resin tank and the only modification will be the Capacity and salt settings as described above. Regardless of the programming performed by the supplier, we can assist you with reprogramming that is appropriate for your requirements.

You didn't specify your water's source (municipal or private well), the hardness level or your family's average water consumption. You appear to be considering a 1 ft3 unit but often a 1.5 ft3 or larger softener will allow more efficient operation which can reduce the regeneration frequency to between 1X per week - 1X per month.

 

[Reach4]

If everything is equal is there something that might be modified in the valve or added to the resin tank to provide for the capabilty of higher efficiency?

Do they both include a meter for demand softening?
Do they include gravel?

 

[Freddie]

Nothing added to the resin tank and the only modification will be the Capacity and salt settings as described above. Regardless of the programming performed by the supplier, we can assist you with reprogramming that is appropriate for your requirements.

You didn't specify your water's source (municipal or private well), the hardness level or your family's average water consumption. You appear to be considering a 1 ft3 unit but often a 1.5 ft3 or larger softener will allow more efficient operation which can reduce the regeneration frequency to between 1X per week - 1X per month.

The water is city water, 23 gpg and max 100 gallons per day (there is only 2 of us).

 

[Freddie]

Do they both include a meter for demand softening?
Do they include gravel?

Don't know if they include gravel but they both are metered.

 

[Bannerman]

With municipal water. the usual recommended regeneration frequency will be between 7-days and 30-days.

For 100 gallons/day X 23 gpg = 2300 grains/day consumption.

A 1 ft3 softener will provide 24K grains capacity when programmed for 3,000 grain/lb efficiency. 24,000 / 2,300 = 10.4 days anticipated between regeneration cycles. As a Reserve allowance will need to be subtracted, the realistically anticipated regeneration frequency will be 9-10 days.

A 1 ft3 softener will provide 21K grains capacity when programmed for 3,500 grain/lb efficiency. 21,000 / 2,300 = 9.13 days anticipated between regeneration cycles. As a Reserve allowance will need to be subtracted, the realistically anticipated regeneration frequency will be 8-9 days.

A 1 ft3 softener will provide 17K grains capacity when programmed for 4,250 grain/lb efficiency. 17,000 / 2,300 = 7.39 days anticipated between regeneration cycles. As a Reserve allowance will need to be subtracted, the realistically anticipated regeneration frequency will be 6-7 days.

Comparison calculations for a 1.5 ft3 softener:

A 1.5 ft3 softener will provide 36K grains capacity when programmed for 3,000 grain/lb efficiency. 36,000 / 2,300 = 15.6 days anticipated between regeneration cycles. As a Reserve allowance will need to be subtracted, the realistically anticipated regeneration frequency will be 14-15 days.

A 1.5 ft3 softener will provide 31.5K grains capacity when programmed for 3,500 grain/lb efficiency. 31,500 / 2,300 = 13.7 days anticipated between regeneration cycles. As a Reserve allowance will need to be subtracted, the realistically anticipated regeneration frequency will be 12-13 days.

A 1.5 ft3 softener will provide 25.5K grains capacity when programmed for 4,250 grain/lb efficiency. 25,500 / 2,300 = 11.0 days anticipated between regeneration cycles. As a Reserve allowance will need to be subtracted, the realistically anticipated regeneration frequency will be 10-11 days.

 

[Freddie]

With municipal water. the usual recommended regeneration frequency will be between 7-days and 30-days.

For 100 gallons/day X 23 gpg = 2300 grains/day consumption.

A 1 ft3 softener will provide 24K grains capacity when programmed for 3,000 grain/lb efficiency. 24,000 / 2,300 = 10.4 days anticipated between regeneration cycles. As a Reserve allowance will need to be subtracted, the realistically anticipated regeneration frequency will be 9-10 days.

A 1 ft3 softener will provide 21K grains capacity when programmed for 3,500 grain/lb efficiency. 21,000 / 2,300 = 9.13 days anticipated between regeneration cycles. As a Reserve allowance will need to be subtracted, the realistically anticipated regeneration frequency will be 8-9 days.

A 1 ft3 softener will provide 17K grains capacity when programmed for 4,250 grain/lb efficiency. 17,000 / 2,300 = 7.39 days anticipated between regeneration cycles. As a Reserve allowance will need to be subtracted, the realistically anticipated regeneration frequency will be 6-7 days.

Comparison calculations for a 1.5 ft3 softener:

A 1.5 ft3 softener will provide 36K grains capacity when programmed for 3,000 grain/lb efficiency. 36,000 / 2,300 = 15.6 days anticipated between regeneration cycles. As a Reserve allowance will need to be subtracted, the realistically anticipated regeneration frequency will be 14-15 days.

A 1.5 ft3 softener will provide 31.5K grains capacity when programmed for 3,500 grain/lb efficiency. 31,500 / 2,300 = 13.7 days anticipated between regeneration cycles. As a Reserve allowance will need to be subtracted, the realistically anticipated regeneration frequency will be 12-13 days.

A 1.5 ft3 softener will provide 25.5K grains capacity when programmed for 4,250 grain/lb efficiency. 25,500 / 2,300 = 11.0 days anticipated between regeneration cycles. As a Reserve allowance will need to be subtracted, the realistically anticipated regeneration frequency will be 10-11 days.

Obviously the longer time in between regenerations means less wear on the valve. Is there any other benefits to longer times? Is water usage on regeneration lessened at all?

 

[Reach4]

Obviously the longer time in between regenerations means less wear on the valve. Is there any other benefits to longer times? Is water usage on regeneration lessened at all?

Yes.

With a demand softener, the softener will decide whether it can make it thru the next day. If no, it regens. On average, there will be about 1/2 day of softening capacity remaining. If the softener regenerates less often, that 1/2 day is less significant for salt use. Yes, water use is reduced a tad too, but for most people, the salt use is the main factor.

 

[Bannerman]

When efficiency is discussed, the numbers specified refer to the number of grains capacity to be regenerated per lb of salt.

The water needed to regenerate 1 ft3 of resin, will be virtually identical each cycle regardless of the efficiency setting. As efficiency is increased, capacity is decreased so regeneration will need to occur more frequently. More frequent regeneration will then consume a greater quantity of water each month/year.

As stated previously, water treatment usually involves compromise. A 3,000 gr/lb efficiency setting will usually provide the best balance of efficiency, capacity and water quality. If you are more concerned with efficiency than water quality, then a 3,333 or 3,500 gr /lb efficiency setting may be satisfactory, even as the water may not feel as silky, and regeneration will need to be more frequent.

To reduce the regeneration frequency for any efficiency setting, moving up from a 1 ft3 to a 1.5 ft3 unit can provide the same efficiency but will require fewer regeneration cycles per month/year.