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Everything you Need to Know about Water Softeners in 2026
If you live in London, the South East, East Anglia, or any of the counties covering 60% of the UK with hard water, you’ll know the impact it has on a home. From limescale buildup in pipes to streaky glass and inefficient appliances, hard water is more than just an annoyance, it's a threat to your plumbing system.
At City Plumbing, we’ve seen a significant rise in water softener sales as technology has become more compact, affordable, and efficient. Whether you’re an installer looking for the best system for a client or a homeowner wanting spotless dishwashing and silkier showers, our guide covers everything you need to know about choosing and installing a water softener in 2026.
How Does a Water Softener Work?
It’s important to know what a water softener does - and how it works - if you’re going to get one in your home.
Hard water is ‘hard’ due to the minerals found in it. Calcium and magnesium, the two main culprits, cause limescale when ran through any kind of pipe or appliance. The amount of limescale increases as more hard water runs through the system, causing mineral build ups which reduce the efficiency of any water-using appliance.
Most water softeners solve this using a process called ion exchange. Ion exchange replaces the magnesium and calcium ions with sodium chloride via a special resin. This leaves behind pure water without any of the ‘hard’ chemicals.
Benefits of a Water Softener
- Cheaper bills – Soft water helps remove any existing limescale, meaning pipes will flow better and heating systems won’t have to work as hard.
- Appliance longevity – Appliance functionality won’t be impeded by build-up, providing better results and a longer working life.
- Soft on skin – Soft water feels luxurious, and water softeners remove the minerals that irritate skin conditions such as eczema.
- Economical – Soap lathers much better in soft water, meaning you’ll use less soap, washing up liquid, etc.
- Easy cleaning – No streaks, scum or residue marks results in spotless kitchens and bathrooms with less cleaning.
Understanding Water Softener Technology
When choosing a water softener, the first decision is usually between Salt-Based and Salt-Free technology.
1. Salt-Based Water Softeners
These are the most common "true" softeners. They use Ion Exchange to physically remove calcium and magnesium minerals from the water.
- Efficiency: Highly effective at removing total hardness; requires a "regeneration" cycle to clean the resin.
- Installation: Requires a drain connection for brine discharge and usually a power source (unless non-electric).
- Maintenance: Requires regular salt top-ups (tablet or block salt).
- Cost: Mid-range to high upfront, plus ongoing salt costs.
2. Salt-Free Water Softeners (Conditioners)
Technically water "conditioners," these use Template Assisted Crystallisation (TAC) to change the structure of minerals so they don’t stick to pipes as limescale.
- Efficiency: Prevents scale buildup but does not "soften" the water (minerals remain in the water).
- Installation: Simple; no drain or electricity usually required.
- Maintenance: Very low; typically just a cartridge change every few years.
- Cost: Higher upfront for premium units, but lower lifetime running costs.
Mechanical vs. Electronic Configurations
Beyond the salt, you need to consider the physical build and control system of the unit.
Single Tank vs. Dual Tank
- Single Tank: Best For: Smaller homes with predictable water use.
Efficiency: Good, but goes offline during regeneration (usually at 2 AM).
Maintenance: Simple, single resin bed to monitor.
- Dual Tank (Twin Tank): Best For: Large families or homes with 24/7 water demand.
Efficiency: High; one tank provides soft water while the other regenerates, ensuring no downtime.
Sizing: Generally more compact because each cylinder can be smaller than a single-tank equivalent.
Electric vs. Non-Electric
- Electric (Wired): Efficiency: Very high; uses smart meters to regenerate only when necessary based on actual usage.
Installation: Needs to be near a standard 13-amp socket.
Main Point: Features digital displays for salt alerts and usage stats.
- Non-Electric: Efficiency: Uses the kinetic energy of moving water to trigger regeneration.
Installation: Easier in damp environments or locations without easy power access (like under-sink or garages).
Main Point: No "brain" to fail; extremely reliable and immune to power cuts.
What to Consider when Installing a Water Softener
Once you’ve decided on the type of water softener best suited to meet your demands, there’s a few important considerations to keep in mind during the fitting process.
Water Softener Tank Size
Water softeners are available with a range of different tank sizes in order to provide your household with enough soft water.
A rough tank size requirement can be calculated by multiplying the number of people in your household by 75 (the average amount of gallons used per person, per day) – then multiply this number by the GPG (grains per gallon) of hardness minerals in your water supply.
For example, a four-person household uses around 300 gallons per day (4 x 75). If the water has 10 GPG, 3,000 GPG of minerals will need filtering each day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Softeners
What does a water softener do?
A water softener removes or neutralizes minerals—specifically calcium and magnesium—that cause "hard water." By doing this, it prevents limescale buildup in pipes and appliances, helps soap lather more effectively, and prevents white spots on glassware and bathroom tiles.
How does a water softener work?
Most systems work through a process called ion exchange. Hard water passes through a tank filled with resin beads coated in sodium. As the water flows through, the calcium and magnesium ions "stick" to the beads, and the sodium ions are released into the water, resulting in soft water at the outlet.
Can you drink water from a water softener?
Yes, softened water is generally safe to drink. However, because the process adds a small amount of sodium, it may not be suitable for infants or individuals on a medically supervised low-sodium diet. We recommend maintaining one "unsoftened" tap in the kitchen for drinking and cooking.
How do you install a water softener?
Installation involves "breaking into" the main water supply, usually where it enters the property.
- Isolation: Turn off the water supply and cut the pipe.
- Bypass Valve: Install a bypass valve so you can divert water away from the softener if needed.
- Connection: Connect the inlet and outlet pipes to the unit.
- Drainage: Connect the overflow and drain hoses to a waste pipe to allow for the regeneration cycle.
- Power: Plug in the unit (if it is an electric model).
Where is a water softener stored or installed?
The most common location is under the kitchen sink, as this is usually where the main water stopcock is located. Other common spots include utility rooms, garages, or even outside in a dedicated weatherproof and frost-protected cabinet.
Are salt water softeners effective?
Salt-based softeners are considered the "gold standard" of water treatment. Unlike conditioners, they physically remove the minerals from the water, meaning you will feel the difference in your hair and skin and see a total elimination of limescale in your kettle and appliances.
Are water softeners worth it?
For anyone living in a hard water area (which covers much of the UK), a water softener is a wise investment. They can extend the lifespan of your boiler and appliances by up to 25%, reduce detergent use by 50%, and lower energy bills by keeping heating elements free from scale.
Updated 14th January 2026
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