The majority of building and HVAC systems today experience mineral scale build-up in their potable water as a result of “hard water”. Left untreated, scale shortens equipment life, drives up energy costs, and undermines water quality in all facilities. Modern ion-exchange water softeners come equipped with advanced resins and meter demand-initiated controls which help engineers and end users meet their efficiency, reliability, and sustainability goals. In this article, we highlight the benefits and differentiators of a water softener system and how engineers and end users can specify these systems in their next project.
When most people think of ion-exchange water softeners, they picture the familiar brine tanks and resin bed. What they don’t often realize is how much these systems have evolved in recent years, such as the EasyWater SimplySoft water softener system.
Three features in particular define the difference between basic softeners and advanced solutions:
- Resin type
- Salt and Water Efficiency
- System Controls
Resin Type
Traditional resins can degrade quickly in chlorinated water, leading to reduced capacity and frequent replacement. These resins have fewer links in their polymeric structure, making them more vulnerable to oxidation from chlorine and chloramines. Softer resin beads are more prone to swelling and cracking, especially under repeated regeneration cycles. Modern cross-linked resins like those in the EasyWater SimplySoft softener are engineered to resist chlorine attack and fouling, extending service life and maintaining consistent performance. Cross-linked resins are denser and more chemically resistant, which can extend service life from 5 years to 15+ years depending on water quality and operating conditions. This results in fewer resin change-outs, lower lifecycle costs, and more reliable softening.
Salt & Water Efficiency
Older softeners regenerate on fixed timers, wasting salt and water whether the system needs it or not. The EasyWater SimplySoft water softener uses meter demand-initiated controls, triggering regeneration only when the resin bed needs it. Metered controls measure the actual water usage with a flow meter and trigger regeneration when the resin bed’s capacity is nearly exhausted. Compared to timer-based systems, this cuts salt and water use by 30-50%. This will dramatically reduce salt consumption and water waste, further lowering operating costs while helping facilities meet sustainability goals.
System Controls
Instead of simple timers, today’s smart controllers offer programmable cycles, service alerts, and diagnostic tools. EasyWater SimplySoft’s water softener smart controller tracks water usage and initiates regeneration only when needed. Automatic adjustments based on rolling usage history ensures consistent performance even when demand fluctuates.
When the controller is integrated with the building management system, this will give operators real-time visibility into water quality and system performance. This makes commissioning easier and the alerts and intuitive interfaces prevent costly hazardous conditions.
By focusing on resin durability, efficiency, and smart controls, the EasyWater SimplySoft water softener system does more than just reduce hardness. It protects major mechanical assets, reduces operating costs, and simplifies maintenance ensuring your building system operates as it was designed.
Water Solutions Group offers EasyWater SimplySoft water softener and other innovative water quality solutions.
Water Solutions Group is a separate division of the R.L. Deppmann Company created to provide end users and engineers with a valuable resource in efforts to improve water quality. Proper water quality management protects the equipment, operations, occupants, and environment. Water quality should be considered at the time of design to ensure safe and efficient operating systems. Our intimate knowledge of water systems positions Water Solutions Group to be the ideal partner when evaluating operational issues that may arise because of poor water quality.