Water softeners are a permanent solution to all hard water problems:
- Scales on pipes and fixtures
- Soaps not lathering
- Bitter water taste
Descalers promise to remove scales in water with less than 10 GPG hardness. Studies suggest water conditioners do a better job than descalers.
Continue reading for a detailed comparison between water descalers and water softeners to know which is best for your hard water problems.
🤔Is Descaler As Good As A Water Softener?
| Basis | Electronic Water Descaler | Water Softener |
| How It Works | Electromagnetic descaling | Ion exchange |
| How it treats hard water | Alters the adhesive abilities of hard water minerals to prevent hard water scales | Exchanges calcium and magnesium (hard water mineral) ions into sodium ions |
| Ease Of Installation And Maintenance | Requires less space to install, needs electricity to run, doesn’t require salt top-up | Comparatively, it requires more installation space, electricity, and salt top-up. |
| Average cost | $200-300 | $1.5-2K |
| Which is better? | It’s not effective in tackling hard water scales as compared to water conditioners, which work on TAC and don’t solve all hard water problems like water softeners. | It’s the permanent solution to all hard water problems: scales, soaps not lathering, hard water stains, and other aesthetic issues. |
How They Work
Electronic Water Descaler
The descaler comes with coils that wrap around the incoming water pipe. It produces a magnetic field, a low-voltage current charging the mineral particles.
The positive charge ensures less hard water scales are deposited on the surfaces. It changes the adhesive properties of hard water minerals, although the water isn’t softened.
Water Softener
Water softeners contain resin beads that convert hard water ions (calcium and magnesium) into sodium ions.
This process softens water entirely, solving all hard water problems. You can input water hardness settings based on local water hardness and usage for best results.
How They Treat Hard Water
Electronic Water Descaler
A descaler works on two essential components: a high-frequency modulated electromagnetic field and a signal cable coiled around the pipe.
Water is treated in descalers using electric impulses generated in the electronic unit. The bands in descalers perform in pairs and create a frequency field.
Water Softener
Through the ion exchange, water softener removes calcium and magnesium from water. The hard water enters the mineral tank and flows in a bed of spherical resin beads.
These are plastic beads that perform the ion exchange process.
When hard water comes in contact with resin, the beads get hold of it and remove excess calcium and magnesium, causing all the nuisance.
Ease Of Installation And Maintenance
Electronic Water Descalers
The best part about descalers is that they require minimum maintenance. TAC Conditioners (better alternative than descalers) have a sediment pre-filter that needs to be charged.
Water Softener
There are quite a few maintenance requirements here:
- You need to do routine salt top-ups within 5-6 weeks.
- You must clean the brine tank every 6 months depending on iron levels in your supply water.
- You should check if your resin beads are getting damaged (you can install iron filters before to increase resin lifespan).
Average Cost
Electronic Water Descalers
An electronic water descaler should cost you about $300-$600 on average.
But if you go for a TAC water descaler, the price will be around $1,200-$2,500. The factors that decide the price are the manufacturer, the size of the conditioner, etc.
Water Softener
You can find a water softener for as low as $800 and as high as $2200. They are still less costly than TAC water descalers.
Descaler vs Water Softener: Pros And Cons
Descaler
Pros
- No salt top-up is needed.
- It doesn’t remove healthy minerals
- No maintenance cost
Cons
- Doesn’t soften water.
- Descalers generally leave a residue on their countertops and dishes.
Water Softener
Pros
- Actually softens water using ion exchange and is best for more than 10 GPG water hardness
- Solves all hard water problems, including soaps not lathering, and white spots on your dishes.
- It is good for your hair and skin.
Cons
- Need to do regular salt top-ups every 5-6 weeks (but it is worth it)
- You need professional installation
What Is Better: Descaler or Water Softener?
If you have less than 10 GPG hardness and your only problem is scales, water descalers may work, but water conditioners using TAC technology are better.
But if you have more than 10 GPG water hardness and suffer from all hard water problems (soaps not lathering, hard water stains, bitter water taste and other aesthetic problems), then water softener is a long-term effective choice.
It’s better not to opt for a cheap water treatment device as it is not good for your family’s needs.
Water Softener VS Water Descaler: FAQs
Can you use a water descaler and softener together?
No, it’s better not to use a water descaler and softener together.
Use a descaler/conditioner with less than 10 gpg hardness to remove scales and a water softener when hardness is more than 10 gpg when facing all hard water problems.
Is it safe to drink descaled water?
Yes, descaled water is safe to drink. It preserves healthy trace minerals in water that are good for your pets and plants.
It’s better than softened water for your aquarium and pool because it doesn’t have a slippery feel, and there’s no extra sodium added.
What goes first, water softener or water filter?
Water filter comes first if you’ve sediment, chlorine or iron in your supply water, as high sediment and chlorine levels can damage resin beads, and high iron levels can damage your brine tank.
But if you have only high water hardness and your water softener comes with a sediment pre-filter add-on, you don’t need a water filter separately
Can I use vinegar instead of a descaling solution?
No, vinegar is ineffective to descale as it can be too aggressive on the device.
And you can get a strange taste if applied on appliances like coffee machines.
You can use store-bought descalers like this for best results.
Is a salt-free water conditioner better than a descaler?
Yes, scientific studies have proven that water conditioners using TAC technology reduced scales by more than 88% compared to electromagnetic descalers that reduced scales by only 50%.
Adarsh is a Health & Nutrition Sciences graduate with expertise in environmental health. He is associated with ventures like Glacier Fresh Filter and Simpure Filter Systems. Through Aqua Professor, he intends to provide helpful information to every home to help them make smarter decisions.
