A water softener changes the water that reaches the heater, and it can change the plumbing around the heater too. The deposit benefit is the reason people fit one; the thermal expansion, odor and sodium effects are the ones that surprise them. Penn State Extension, Virginia Tech Extension and A. O. Smith between them document each. We have found no manufacturer statement that tells you which anode rod suits softened water or how a softener interacts with a manufacturer’s terms, so this page makes no claim on either.
What A Softener Does
A salt-based softener swaps hardness minerals for sodium. Penn State Extension describes ion exchange: water passes through a resin coated with sodium ions, which are traded for calcium and magnesium, so the water leaving the unit is considered soft. When the sodium sites are used up the resin is spent, and the unit runs a regeneration cycle in which it is backwashed with a salt solution. Penn State adds that softeners will not necessarily remove any of the more serious drinking water contamination problems, so a softener is a hardness treatment and nothing broader.
Whether You Need One At All
Test first, because the sources set a threshold below which treatment is generally unnecessary. Virginia Tech Extension says hardness below 7.0 grains per gallon, or 120 mg/L, generally does not require treatment, and that treatment is only necessary when the hardness is causing a problem. Penn State says levels below 7.0 grains per gallon will probably not cause major scaling and soap film, and that a hardness test confirms the presence and level of hardness before treatment is installed.
The units and classes are in our units guide, where to find your own number is in our testing guide, and what the deposit does to the heater is in our effects guide.
Softening Only The Water To Be Heated
Virginia Tech Extension notes that softeners can treat all the water entering the house or only the water to be heated. If scale forming in your water heater is the issue, it suggests considering softening only the water that is to be heated. If increased sodium is a concern, it suggests softening only the hot water and drinking and cooking with the unsoftened cold. It also says a water treatment specialist can help work out the best arrangement for a household, and that outdoor water does not need to be softened.
Planning a softener and a water heater together? Call (717) 500-8528 before either goes in.
The Thermal Expansion Effect
A. O. Smith says water softeners in a system may act as backflow preventers. Its Technical Bulletin 45 lists them alongside check valves at the water meter and pressure reducing valves as things that can close a water system, leaving heated water with nowhere to expand. In a closed system the symptoms the bulletin lists include a relief valve that drips during recovery. If a softener goes in and the relief valve starts dripping, read our T&P relief valve guide and our expansion tank guide.
The Odor Effect
Penn State Extension says that in rare cases adding water treatment equipment, such as a softener, may cause hydrogen sulfide production. It explains that the softener can provide a favorable environment for sulfur-reducing bacteria to grow. That is a separate route to the rotten egg smell from the anode-rod reaction our rotten egg smell guide covers, and the same guide explains how to tell a hot-water odor from a gas leak first.
The Sodium Effect
Virginia Tech Extension says a sodium-based ion exchange softener increases the sodium content of the water. That matters mainly to households watching sodium intake, which is the reason for its suggestion to soften only the hot water.
What This Page Will Not Tell You
It will not say that a softener suits or harms any particular water heater. No manufacturer document we read addresses that, and a softener changes the supply differently at every property. It names no brand and no price. If you are choosing between a whole-house softener and treating only the heater’s supply, that is a conversation with a water treatment specialist, and for the heater itself, see water heater installation in Lancaster, PA and maintenance.
Adding Or Replacing A Softener?
Service requests and emergency service are available 24/7 across Lancaster City and Lancaster County.
Call For Emergency ServiceSoftener And Water Heater FAQ
Do I need a water softener for my water heater?
Virginia Tech Extension says hardness below 7.0 grains per gallon, or 120 mg/L, generally does not require treatment. It says treatment is only necessary when the hardness is causing a problem. A laboratory test, or your supplier’s annual report, tells you where you are.
Can a water softener make my plumbing a closed system?
A. O. Smith says water softeners in the system may act as backflow preventers. Technical Bulletin 45 lists that alongside check valves at the meter and pressure reducing valves as causes of thermal expansion problems. Our expansion tank guide explains the effect.
Can a water softener cause a rotten egg smell?
Penn State Extension says that in rare cases adding water treatment equipment like a water softener may cause hydrogen sulfide production. It says the softener can provide a favorable environment for sulfur-reducing bacteria. See our smell guide before assuming the cause.
Should I soften all my water or only the water to be heated?
Virginia Tech Extension says it depends on the problem. For scale in the water heater, consider softening only the water to be heated; for scale on cookware or small appliances, softening the water used for cooking; for soap performance, all the water entering the house. A water treatment specialist can set out the options.
Does a softener add sodium to the water?
Virginia Tech Extension says a sodium-based ion exchange softener increases the sodium content of the water. Where sodium intake is a concern it suggests softening only the hot water and using unsoftened cold water for drinking and cooking.
Who can advise on a water heater and softener near me in Lancaster County?
Lancaster Water Heater Pros services water heaters across Lancaster City and Lancaster County. Call (717) 500-8528 about the heater side of the question; for the softener itself Virginia Tech suggests a qualified water treatment specialist. Service requests are accepted 24/7.