Most people living in tiny homes get water from RV hook-ups or more natural sources like private wells where water can come out harsh. If you’re a tiny homeowner and get your water from such sources, you must’ve noticed a hard water problem.
Filtering hard water doesn’t solve the problem. For instance, soap doesn’t lather as it should, and your pipes have scale deposits. The best way to make it more usable is to soften it.
Salt free softeners are ideal for a tiny home because their size and methods of operation fit well with small space limitations.
We’ve put this article together to show you the benefits salt-free water softeners offer to tiny homes.
Let’s Get Started With What A Salt-Free Water Softener Is And How It Works.
What Are Salt Free Water Softeners?
Technically, salt free water softeners are not water softeners. A salt-based water softener softens water by removing hardness-causing minerals like calcium and magnesium from water and exchanging them with “soft” minerals like sodium.
In contrast, a salt-free water softener does not exchange anything. Instead, as the water flows through the system, it crystallizes the minerals in the water to keep them from forming scales in the plumbing.
Because it does not remove the minerals but only treats them to change how they behave, a salt-free water softener is technically not a water softener but a water conditioner.
It contains small pieces of crystallization media in its tank. As the hard water flows through the media, a chemical reaction “catches” and crystallizes hardness-causing minerals.
The water flowing from the softener into your plumbing system can no longer form scales.
Pros of Salt Free Water Softeners
They will improve your water conditions by:
- Keeping scales from forming on plumbing surfaces.
- Producing better soap lather to make laundering easier.
Additionally benefits:
- Takes up less space than a salt-based water softener.
- Does not require top-ups of salts, removing the need to store bags of salt.
- Preserves tiny house plumbing, thereby reducing the cost of maintenance.
- Reduces your power bill.
Cons of Salt Free Water Softeners
The most significant problem is that they do not lower hardness levels in the water. So, when using one, expect to still experience some hard water problems like:
- Dry skin from showering with hard water.
- Dry hair after showering.
- Scale buildup on bathroom floors and sinks because when the crystallized calcium and magnesium get hold of oxygen, they begin to form scales nevertheless.
How Salt Free Water Softeners & Tiny Houses Fit
If you live in a tiny house and are considering getting a water softener, a salt-free system is the way to go. They fit the needs of small spaces for many reasons, like:
They take up only a little space.
The single tank of the softener takes up less space than the two-tank salt-based systems, making it better for a tiny house.
A salt-free water softener has a long lifespan, and it’s almost entirely maintenance-free.
Most of them have simple designs with very few moving parts. This guarantees that it won’t suddenly break down from wear and tear.
They can last up to 20 years without needing serious servicing. Of course, this fits nicely with the simple lifestyle of living in a tiny house by saving costs and reducing spending.
Salt free water softeners are much easier to install.
They are perfect for tiny homeowners because they are super easy to install.
People living in tiny houses often appreciate low-cost DIY solutions, and some off-grid dwellers in rural areas sometimes have no access to professional installation services. A salt-free softener completely removes the need for paid installation because you can easily install it yourself.
Salt free water softeners eliminate the trouble of buying salt.
Unlike salt-based systems, salt-free units don’t need salt to function. There’s no need to constantly refill the salt tank or worry about the kind of salt to buy.
A salt free softener is better for the environment.
A tiny house using a salt free water softener has no significant impact on the environment. It’s considered eco-friendly because your hard water is treated without chemicals and salts, which could possibly pollute the environment.
Conclusion
With all that said, salt free water softeners are perhaps the best choice for tiny homes. Although they have their downsides, they fit tiny homeowners’ space, cost, and environmental needs. It’s an ideal match because you can enjoy soft water without having to give up much of your limited space.
