A water conditioner reduces the impacts of hard water on pipes, appliances and fixture residue from scale. This approach to treating your water supply doesn't change your water quality. For clean water you need to use a different treatment system, like a filter or reverse osmosis.
If you live in the United States, chances are that the water in your area is hard water. Hard water is water that contains small mineral deposits of calcium carbonate and magnesium that leave spots and other deposits on everything it touches. The term water conditioner is the generic term used to describe a group of water conditioning products that reduce, prevent or remove the effects of hard water. The primary reason that water conditioner products are used is for either the reduction or removal of scale buildup.
Purchasing a water conditioner is a very viable means of removing the cause of hard water buildup from commercial facilities such as restaurants, hospitals and schools, and from homes. Use of a water conditioner not only improves the quality of water but also can save money in energy, new plumbing, and appliances.
A water conditioner works by altering the physical properties of the calcium and magnesium mineral deposits but does not change the chemical composition of the water itself. A water softener on the other hand, does change the chemical composition of the water and this is one of the main differences between a water conditioner and a water softener. The technology behind a water conditioner is based on changing the shape of the crystals in the water from a box-shape to a needle-shape. Needle-shaped crystals tend to either remain suspended in the water or form a soft scale, which can easily be wiped away.
While the goal of changing the shape of the crystals is common among all water conditioners, the technologies and processes used to treat water range from magnetic, electrolytic, electrostatic, electro-magnetic and electronic systems. Each of these technologies reduces or prevents buildup caused by calcium and magnesium mineral deposits. Before selecting one technology over another, you must take into account your budget, installation requirements, and size of the property or home. In addition, the requirement of a power supply must be taken into account. The magnetic, electrolytic, and electrostatic systems do not require a main power supply, whereas electro-magnetic and electronic systems do require a main power supply.
One huge benefit of a water conditioner, regardless of the technology you choose to purchase, is that they tend to be easy to install and are typically maintenance free. In addition, the cost of running a water conditioner is nominal. It's important to remember that the primary purpose of a water conditioner is to reduce or eliminate the effects of hard water in the form of mineral deposit buildup on appliances, plumbing, dishware, etc. If your expectation is that a water conditioner should eliminate other aspects of your water quality, you may be disappointed. A water conditioner has a very specific purpose and if your hard water problem is severe enough, a water conditioner can save you a lot of hassle and money in correcting the damage caused by hard water. If you find that your water has other problems, too, you are well advised to research other water treatment systems that will either complement or replace a water conditioner.
