Twin Tank Water Softeners: Do I Need A Twin Tank Softener?

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Twin Tank Water Softeners certainly have their place, and if money was no object I may even have one in my home. Unfortunately, money is an object for me. I also understand that all too often Twin Tank water softeners are oversold as a necessity.

For the majority of consumers, a properly sized single tank water softener will regenerate within 7-14 days providing more than enough soft water availability. Adding hundreds, and sometimes thousands of dollars to your purchase to avoid having hard water at 2am for a brief period once every week or two, is not my idea of good value.

Because there are times when Twin Tank softeners are a good idea, here is some brief information to help paint the picture.

To decide whether or not I need a twin tank softener, 3 factors are considered:

1. Water Quality

2. Water Consumption (Gallons Per Day)

3. Application (Household, Business, Factory, Restaurant)

Water Quality has a direct correlation of how many gallons of water can be softened before “running out of soft water" and needing to regenerate. Water quality should be measured in Total Compensated Hardness which will include Hardness and Iron.

Water Consumption and Water Quality will determine the size or configuration of the water softener.

Application. A standard family household on city water will be ok with having hard water once a week from 2am-3:30am. A 24/7 processing plant that requires soft water will not be ok with hard water at any time.

*Lets look a couple scenarios.

Scenario A) 5 People in a household with North St. Paul, MN City Water (15 grains of hardness)

5 People x 60 Gallons Per Person = 300 Gallons Per Day

300 Gallons x 15 Grains of Hardness = 4, 500 Grains Per Day

A standard one cubic foot water softener will typically remove 28, 000 grains

28, 000 / 4, 500 = 6.22 days between regenerations.

In Scenario A the properly sized water softener will regenerate approximately every 6 days which is a good fit for this household.

Scenario B) 5 People in a household with a private well in Ham Lake, MN (25 grains of hardness, 5 Parts of Iron)

5 People x 60 Gallons Per Person = 300 Gallons Per Day

50 Grains Hardness (Hardness and Iron) x 300 Gallons Per Day = 15, 000 Grains Per Day

To have 4 days between regenerations the softener would have to remove 60, 000 grains which would be a very large water softener.

In Scenario B a twin tank softener is ideal because it can regenerate mid-day and continue to provide soft water. It will also regenerate with soft water which is an added benefit due to the amount of iron in the water. Ideally, an iron filter should be used to remove the iron first and allow the softener only to handle hard water making it much more effective and efficient.

*You should always consult a water professional to perform a water analysis and recommend a proper system.

There are benefits to twin tank water softeners for those who are in the market or have a need for a twin tank softener.

24 Hour a Day Soft Water – You’ll have soft water even during the weekly regeneration at 2am.

More Efficient - When a regeneration is triggered on a single tank system it will regenerate that night even if there is 50 gallons still available. A Twin tank softener will meter down to zero capacity.

Soft Water Regeneration – For iron free water supplies soft water regeneration is an oversold benefit, but is a great feature for moderate to high amount of iron.

Working with a company with over 53 years of expirience such as Merles Water Conditioning will gaurentee you a professional recommendation without a sales agenda.

Drinking Softened Water: How Much Sodium in Softened Water?

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Drinking Softened Water: How Much Sodium in Softened Water?

For those who own a water softener or are thinking  about purchasing one, you may have wondered how much sodium is in softened water.

How much sodium is in softened water? This will vary in each household. The amount of sodium in your water is directly related to your total water hardness. It's easy math, so lets figure it out together.

If you do not know your water hardness, contact your city administrator and they will be happy to provide you with this information. If you are on your own private well, you will have to have this tested.

In Minnesota, water hardness can range from 6 to 25 grains per gallon of hardness (on average). Because the vast majority of my customers are in the 15 grain range, I will use this figure.

Water Softeners collect hardness and in return releases a proportional amount of sodium.

According to the WQA (Water Quality Association), for every grain of hardness there will be 30mg of sodium in a gallon after it has been softened.

15 Grains x 30mg = 450mg in a Gallon (128oz)

450mg Sodium / 128oz = 3.51 mg per oz

3.51mg * 8oz = 28.12mg

In an 8oz glass of 15 grain softened water there is 28.12 mg of sodium.

Dietary Comparison:

According to the Mayo Health Clinic, in 2010 the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended limiting sodium to less than 2, 300 mg of sodium per day, or 1, 500 if you are 51 or older.

Conclusion:

The amount of sodium in softened water is directly related to the amount of hardness in the water.

If drinking softened water is not desired, by medical, personal preference, or other reasons, you can always have your kitchen cold water tap taken off of the water softener, or have the sodium removed using a device such as a reverse osmosis or distiller. (Fridge Filters or Brita/PURA style filters will not remove sodium)

A quote from the Mayo Clinic (the doctor is referring to water hardness of approximately 7 grains)

“An 8-ounce (237-milliliter) glass of softened water generally contains less than 12.5 milligrams of sodium, which is well within the Food and Drug Administration's definition of "very low sodium." Says  Sheldon G. Sheps, M.D. at the Mayo Health Clinic.

Tip of the Month

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If you have your own private well you should consider testing for arsenic, which is colorless, tasteless and odorless. We are currently offering free arsenic testing! Minnesota Department of Health Recommends Testing