A salt-free water conditioner is the best alternative to a water softener or is ideal for people on a sodium-restricted diet.
Hard water has so many adverse effects on our homes and a negative impact on our bodies.
Installing a water softener in your water source is the only way to solve hard water problems.
In the past years, most water softeners used salt to remove excess minerals no longer needed, but there are considered to have a more negative aspect.
So, many brands have considered solving the problem by manufacturing a water softener that no longer uses salt, commonly known as a “saltless” water softener.
What is the best Salt-Free Water Conditioner?
The best salt-free water conditioners are the following:
- Aquios FS-220
- Aquasana 10-Year, 1,000,000 Gallon Salt-Free Softener
- Nuvo water softener
- Fountainhead water system
- Triple Action Poly
- Pelican water softener
- NoCalc Compact Water Softener CombiCompact Starter Pack
- Tier1 Compatible
- Filter smart
- PurHome Premier Salt-Free Softener
- Scale Sentry Scale Prevention Salt-Free Water Conditioner Whole House System by abundant flow water
- Watts Premier OFPSYS Whole House OneFlow Plus Salt-Free Scale Prevention and Water System, White
- APEC Water Systems FUTURA-15
- AO Smith Water Descaler
- Water Filter Man WFMHHWFSFAM
Salt-free water conditioner comparisons
Read more effects of salty water on our body from blood pressure UK and Healthline.
Salt-free water conditioners are also called “salt-free softeners.”
The salt-free water conditioner is also known as the salt-free softener, TAC water conditioner, citric acid water softener, water descalers/tankless water softener/saltless water softener, or no salt water softener.
How does a salt-free water conditioner work?
Salt-free water conditioners don’t remove hard minerals, but they alter the chemical structure of salty water through a technology called Template Assisted Crystallization.
This process makes salt-free water conditioners also called tac water conditioners.
Any mineral present in water is changed and becomes harmless so that it won’t affect or form scale on your appliances or surface.
Salt-free water conditioners review
Salt-free water softener with filter system
1. Aquios FS-220
Summary
- Capacity – 40,000 gallons
The Aquios FS-220 is a salt-free whole-house water softener and at the same time is a water filter.
It removes contaminants such as sediments, silt, and chlorine.
The system requires no maintenance and electricity to operate.
It uses natural technology Polyphosphate additive known as Siliphos which slows downscale deposits and combines with carbon block filtration at 5 microns.
The carbon filter significantly reduces chlorine, organic impurities, odor, and taste.
The system includes the first cartridge that is rated to last for 40,000 gallons or six months before the replacement is needed.
You can buy Aquios Full House Water Softener/Filtration Replacement Cartridge here.
Aquios FS 220 has a warranty of 20 years on the housing and valve.
2. Aquasana 10-Year, 1,000,000 Gallon Salt-Free Softener
Summary
- Capacity- 1,000,000 gallons
The system can be used as a water filter and water softener. It is a whole-house water filter that removes chlorine, rust, silt, pesticides, herbicides, sediments, industrial solvents, and soluble metals. It is also a salt-free softener that is proven to reduce scale on your tap, showerheads, and glassware.
This system has a capacity of 1,000,000 gallons.
Aquasana does not require electricity to operate and naturally softens your water using innovative Nucleation Assisted Crystallization softening technology. The technology naturally softens your water without adding additives like sodium and retains essential healthy minerals in the water.
3. Pelican water softener
Pelican water softener is a saltless water softener that conditions hard water without the use of salt.
The Pelican water softener needs no electricity to operate. It operates using a NaturSoft Template Induced Crystallization Media (T.I.C). The presence of the media in hard water turns hard water into crystals. The crystal in hard water absorbs minerals that make water hard, therefore, leaving water in a form that cannot form scale on home appliances.
The media does not remove hard water minerals but neutralizes them, which cannot cause scale build-up on appliances. So the water hardness level does not change.
Pelican Water Salt-Free Water Softener & Conditioner
The Pelican NS3 Natursoft water softener system is maintenance-free and does not require electricity, no potassium/salt is needed.
It is tested and certified by WQA according to NSF/NSI 61 for scale prevention leaving beneficial minerals in the water.
This product comes with a sediment filter that filters particulates lower than 5 microns that are a smaller size than the diameter of a human hair or even the size of dust and pollen particles!
The system is designed for 1-3 bathroom use.
Included in the box are a sediment filter, salt-free water softener, sediment filter housing, bypass valve, mounting kit, sediment filter wrench, o-rings, split rings, quick connection nuts, and plastic male NPT.
4. Scale Sentry Scale Prevention Salt-Free Water Conditioner Whole House System by abundant flow water
The abundant flow water system provides scale-free water without the use of salt and chemicals.
It treats up to 15GPm and hardness up to 25gpg.
It comes with a 2-stage sediment and a carbon filter for general filtering of your water and to protect the scale prevention media.
The box includes a bypass valve, a 10″x54″ Enpress Vortech Tank, 1″ MNPT connectors, and DIY Installation Instructions.
5. Tier1 Compatible Whole House Salt-Free Water Softener System
The Tier1 Compatible Whole House Salt-Free Water Softener System is suitable for a home with 1-3 bathrooms.
It helps in the reduction of sediments and scales.
The system utilizes template Assisted Crystallization (TAC) which requires no electricity, no brine tank, salt, backwash waste, or control valve.
The package includes an 8-inch by 44-inch resin tank with a scale-inhibiting media blend, a 10-inch by 4.5-inch sediment filter with housing and bracket, the required flex connector(s), and a ball valve and nipple.
It is easier to install; you need only connect the tier 1 salt-free water softener to your water supply, and the softening system will go to work.
6. Filter smart Whole House Water Filter and Salt-Free Softener Combo
Filter Smart products will provide your entire family with softened and free contaminant water.
It has a whole-house water filter that uses all-natural coconut shell carbon that uses absorption to remove chlorine and other potentially harmful contaminants. The water filter needs to be changed every 8–10 months.
The carbon and other parts of this system are NSF certified.
The filter smart softener requires no salt and electricity to operate, therefore making it easier to maintain.
7. PURHOME Premier Salt-Free Softener – PS-1000, 1- 3 Baths
The PURHOME is a water conditioner that is effective at reducing the effects of hard water.
It is easy to install and requires no salt and electricity to operate.
The water softener has a sediment pre-filter which makes water crystal clear.
8. Nuvo water softener
Nuvo water softener is designed to condition water through a process called chelation.
This water softener has a cartridge that releases citric in hard water.
The citric acid released in water forms a ring structure that blocks hard water ions from forming scale or hard water deposits on your house plumbing and appliances.
Nuvo water softener does not require electricity or salt to operate, making it eco-friendly.
All Nuvo water softeners are FDA and NSF-approved.
Nuvo water softener has a compact design that fits almost everywhere like apartments or condos.
When it comes to warranty Nuvo water softener has a lifetime warranty.
Nuvo water system offers three models:
- NuvoH2O Manor Softener System
- NuvoH2O Manor Softener + Taste System
- NuvoH2O Home Softener System
NUVO H2O DPSB Studio Water Softener System
NUVO H2O DPSB Studio Water Softener System is ideal for apartments or RVs with 1-person.
It uses 2×10 inches cartridges that come in the package. The cartridge is replaced after 10,000 gallons.
The replacement cartridge is available – Nuvo H2O SHP-2516 Studio High-Performance Water Softener Replacement Cartridge
Nuvo H2O Dphb-a Home Water Softener System
Nuvo H2O Dphb uses a 2×20 inches cartridge which is replaced after 20,000 gallons.
It is ideal for homes with 1-2 people or up to 2,000 square feet.
Nuvo H2O Dpmb-a Manor Water Softener System
The system has a capacity of 50,000 gallons which best suits an average of four or more people or a home of over 2,000 square feet.
It uses salt-free replacement cartridges that remove hard water scales and need to be replaced once or twice per year or after 50,000 gallons.
The replacement cartridge is available online – Nuvo H2O Dpmb-a Manor Water Softener System, 8 X 26″ – New Model – No More Hard Water by Using Revolutionary Technology!-
Nuvo H20 is not suitable for areas where water hardness is above 10GPG.
Summary
- Capacity: It has a capacity of 50,000 gallons.
- It best suits the home of four or more people
9. Fountainhead water system
The fountain headwater system is a salt-free water softener that uses media Tac technology to condition its water.
10. Triple Action Poly Salt-Free Water Softener
The polysalt-free water softener is designed for both well and tap water up to a hardness of 25 grains and a flow rate of 30GPM.
It has a lifetime warranty on the catalytic core, a 2-year warranty on all housing parts, and a 90-day complete satisfaction warranty.
This product comes complete with installation nipples ready to install, stainless steel inner screen, and polyphosphate included. It uses polyphosphate to treat your water.
11. SpringWell FutureSoft Salt-Free Water Softener
Springwell FutureSoft uses a physical process known as Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC). The TAC process converts hard water minerals into crystals that won’t stick to any surface in your home.
The system does not trap minerals but a condition or neutralize them so wastes no water and does not discharge salt brine into the environment.
The FutureSoft water softener system was designed to use ActivFlo Technology. The technology operates at all flow rates and ensures you don’t have any drop in water pressure.
Springwell FutureSoft Salt-Free Water Softener
The Springwell FutureSoft salt-free water softener uses a physical process known as Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC). The TAC process converts hard water minerals into crystals that won’t stick to any surface in your home.
The system does not trap minerals but conditions or neutralizes them, so it wastes no water and does not discharge salt brine into the environment.
The FutureSoft water softener system was designed to use ActivFlo Technology. The technology operates at all flow rates and ensures you don’t have any drop in water pressure.
Salt-free water softener Canada
12. NoCalc Compact Water Softener CombiCompact Starter Pack
The NoCalc combi compact protects appliances from limescale buildup and filters sand, grit, and impurities in your water.
It operates with no electricity and no maintenance.
The starter kit comes with the dispenser housing, two brass connectors, one cartridge, one wrench to loosen up the dispenser housing, and the owner’s manual.
13. Watts Premier OFPSYS Whole House OneFlow Plus Salt-Free Scale Prevention and Water System, White
Watts Premier OFPSYS is a salt-free water system and water filtration system.
It uses template-assisted crystallization (TAC) technology to prevent scale build-up on pipes and appliances.
The water filtration system uses carbon block that helps remove foul tastes, odors, and sediments
Watts Water Technologies OneFlow Anti Scale Media is certified by the Water Quality Association (WQA) to NSF/ANSI Standard 61 and Standard 372 for lead-free. The carbon block used is certified to NSF/ANSI 42.
14. APEC Water Systems FUTURA-15 Premium 15 GPM Whole House Salt-Free Water Softener & Water Conditioner
APEC Water Systems FUTURA-15 salt-free water conditioner is suitable for water hardness levels below 25 grains/gallon.
It is designed for 3-6 bathroom homes with a 15-gallon/minute flow rate.
15. AO Smith Whole House Salt-Free Water Descaler – Water Softener Alternative
AO Smith Whole House Salt-Free Water Descaler is suitable for households of 4 or more people.
The system work with both well & city water systems.
For up to six years or 600,000 gallons, it helps reduce the buildup of scale. The system includes a 6-year warranty.
Salt-free water softener in the UK
16. Water Filter Man WFMHHWFSFAM EcoPlus Whole House Water Filter System & Salt-Free Water Softener
Water Filter Man WFMHHWFSFAM includes a Whole House Water Filter System & Salt-Free Water Softener.
Water filtration systems help reduce chlorine taste and odor, and heavy metals.
It contains antibacterial filter media to help inhibit bacterial growth within the filter and to allow for long-life filter changes.
Replacement media for a salt-free water conditioner
Aquasana Replacement Media for Simply Soft Salt-Free Water Softener EQ-SS20
The Aquasana Replacement Media is for salt-free water softener EQ-SS20.
It is required to be replaced every six months or 50000 gallons, and no plumber is needed.
This system uses SLOW PHOS salt-free water softening technology to condition your water and prevent water home appliances from rusting without the use of sodium.
Slow PHOS technology uses food-grade polyphosphate beads at a slow speed to effectively target scale creating hard mineral carbonate crystals and altering the ionic charge such that hard minerals will no longer create scale or buildup.
The media will not demineralize your water or add excessive sodium to the environment.
It reduces salt at a flow rate of 7GPM.
Nuvo H2O M-42416 Manor Water Softener Replacement Cartridge
The replacement cartridge treats water for about six months.
The cartridge contains a proprietary, FDA-approved formulation and a patent-pending distribution system making this salt-free water softener the best solution.
This system removes and prevents hard-water buildup that clogs and destroys your entire home water appliances.
Tier1 Series 10000 Whole Home Salt-Free Water Softener Replacement Media Kit
The Tier1 Series 10000 is the recommended replacement media kit for Tier1 systems.
It comes with a resin tank and ensures the tank is ready for installation. The medium utilizes Tier 1 Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC) technology to reduce the build-up without the use of salt or electricity.
Do salt-free water conditioners really work
A salt-free water softener does not soften water but conditions.
It doesn’t remove hard water minerals but allows them to remain in the water.
The system alters the structure or changes minerals so that it does form scale on the appliances or house plumbings.
The method does not work well if your water is higher than 10 – 12 grains per gallon.
Water with a high hardness level requires a salt-based water softener such as a traditional water softener, a cabinet-style water softener, or a twin tank water softener.
Benefits of salt-free water conditioners compared to the salt-based water softener
- Prevent scaling without the need of using salt.
- It requires no electricity to operate.
- Salt-based water softener wastes a lot during backwash, but salt-free does not require salt there is no need for backflushing, therefore, it saves a lot of water reducing water bills.
- The salt-based water softener requires a drain nearby to discharge the backwash water.
- Water softeners that use salt require salt to be added regularly. The addition of salt is the ongoing cost of operation.
- A salt-based water softener is large and requires a lot of space, whereas a salt-free water conditioner is light and compact and can fit almost any place.
- Salt-free water conditioners are best for those on a sodium-restricted diet or who have cardiovascular issues.
- Research has shown that minerals such that calcium and magnesium can have health benefit, so salt-free water conditioner does not remove them but eliminate the problem of hard water leaving the healthy mineral for consumption.
What to consider when buying a salt-free water conditioner
Know your water level of hardness
A salt-free water softener is not for every hard water condition.
Test your water first, and if it has a hardness above 12 grains per gallon you need to buy a salt-based water softener.
Testing for Water Hardness
Which is better salt or salt free water softener
If you want to completely remove minerals that make your water hard salt water softener is best. A salt-free water softener is meant to condition water
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