Water Softener System FAQs

Softened water is water that has had calcium and magnesium minerals removed, usually through a process called ion exchange. These minerals are responsible for making water “harder” to the touch and can cause limescale build-up, affecting your skin, hair, and even the performance of appliances. On the other hand, softened water enables you to enjoy smoother skin, silkier hair, and greater protection for your home’s pipes and appliances.

Kinetico water softeners use a process called ion exchange to remove the minerals that cause hard water –  calcium and magnesium. As the water flows through the softener’s resin beads, these minerals are captured and replaced with harmless sodium ions. Once the resin becomes saturated, the system regenerates using a salt solution to flush the minerals away.

For a more detailed explanation of exactly how our water softeners work at Kinetico, head to our detailed guide on the topic here.

Yes, softened water is safe to drink. While softened water does have a slightly higher amount of sodium than hard water, there is actually more sodium in a glass of milk than in a glass of softened water.

The only time we advise caution is when making up formula for small babies, or if you’re on a prescribed low-sodium diet. In these cases, we’d advise you to consult with your doctor first.

If you’d prefer unsoftened drinking water in your home, you may prefer a separate filtered water tap in your kitchen. Alternatively our Gemini 3-Way tap can provide softened hot and cold water, plus filtered water all from the same spout. Learn more about our whole home water solutions here.

If you live in a hard water area, water softeners are definitely worth the investment. They help protect your plumbing and appliances from limescale buildup, reduce bills by improving energy efficiency, and extend the life of household items like boilers, washing machines, and kettles. Softened water also improves lathering in soaps and shampoos, meaning you need to use less while leaving skin and hair feeling smoother. Over time, the cost savings and comfort benefits often outweigh the initial cost.

To find out if you live in a hard water area, check out our water hardness tool.

Water softeners are typically installed at the point where your mains water supply enters your home, where your stopcock is located. In most homes this is under the kitchen sink, but it can also be under the stairs or in a utility room. The goal is to ensure all water entering your home is softened before it reaches your taps, appliances, and heating system.

If you’re unsure where your own stopcock is located, your local expert can help locate this and find the best spot for your water softener setup.

Water softeners are very low-maintenance and typically only require salt top-ups to function properly. However, having your water softener checked regularly is still important to ensure your system continues to perform at its best.

An annual service from our experienced technicians includes:

• A full system analysis
• Calibration checks and adjustments if needed
• Minor repairs if required

This will ensure your system is running at optimum performance and can help extend the life of your water softener. Visit our Service & Repairs page for more information.

Water softeners are highly cost effective. For a family of four, using around 4kg of block salt per person per month, the typical monthly cost is approximately £11.60 when buying directly from Kinetico. Plus, all our water softeners are non-electric, so there’s no impact on your electricity bill which further helps to keep ongoing costs low.

The best water softener will depend on your home’s size and water usage. At Kinetico, we offer a choice of high-performance systems to suit different needs. The Premier Compact is ideal for most UK homes, with a non-electric, twin-tank system that delivers a constant supply of soft water to up to three bathrooms. The Premier Plus is our state-of-the-art water softener designed for larger households, offering the same efficiency on a bigger scale.

For help choosing the best water softener system for your household, head over to our softener buying guide.

Yes, water softeners will remove existing limescale over time. By removing the minerals that cause hard water, they prevent new limescale from forming in your pipes and appliances and also help to break down existing limescale deposits.

However, it’s important to note this isn’t an instant process. A water softener should be an essential consideration for anyone moving into a new home to keep everything looking and running like new.

All our water softener systems can be installed by your local Kinetico expert. Proper installation by an authorised professional is essential to ensure the system functions correctly and efficiently, and to avoid potential issues with your plumbing or water supply. Installation by a professional is also required to comply with warranty terms and to protect your system’s coverage.

Contact us to arrange installation – typically completed in around four hours, depending on your home’s layout and stopcock location.