Frequency of Regeneration - How Often?
There is no simple formula, as there are many "variables" that must be considered when "setting" a water softener valve regeneration frequency.
First is the "quality" of the water you are treating, and then amount of water to be used ( number of people in household ),
What is the hardness level of your water before any filters? ( grains per gallon or ppm )
What is the iron level ( if any ) of your water before any filters? ( ppm = Parts Per Million )
What is the pH level of your water from the source ( before any filters )?
How many people use the water in your home?
And the last variable is the CAPACITY or Amount of RESINS in the media tank.
Common Tank Sizes and Amount of Resins Inside
8" x 35" 0.64 cu. ft. ( 20,480 grains )
8" x 44" 0.75 cu. ft. ( 24,000 grains )
9" x 35" 0.75 cu. ft. ( 24,000 grains )
9" x 40" 1.00 cu.ft. ( 32,000 grains )
9" x 48" 1.00 cu. ft. ( 32,000 grains )
10" x 35" 1.00 cu. ft.( 32,000 grains )
10" x 40" 1.00 cu .ft. ( 32,000 grains )
10" x 44" 1.25 cu. ft. ( 40,000 grains )
10" x 54" 1.50 cu. ft. ( 48,000 grains )
12" x 52" 2.00 cu. ft. ( 64,000 grains )
13" x 54" 2.50 cu. ft. ( 80,000 grains )
Then, it's a question of whether your valve is a simple "day timer" ( operating on the days you "SET" ), or a metered "demand" timer, that counts and tracks the amount of water used.
For an example of the "math" or calculations of "capacity" between regenerations, I'd refer you to this article about how to figure the gallons setting on the mechanical FLECK Metered valves,
see:
How to Set Meter Program Gallons
And the last thing that matters somewhat is the amount of SALT used with each Regeneration,
****The amount of salt needed is mostly based on the amount of resins being recharged.
3/4 cu.ft. resin = 6 - 9 lbs.
1 cu.ft. resin = 8 - 10 lbs.
1.5 cu.ft resin = 12 - 15 lbs.
Typically,
9 lbs for 8 - 9 inch diameter resin tanks,
and 12 lbs. of salt for 10" tanks is average.
If there is a lot of iron ( over 2 ppm ) or if the water is really hard ( over 30 grains ),
then an extra 2 - 4 lbs. of salt per regeneration should be used.
COMMON Frequency of Regeneration
A typical residential system will use 6 - 12 lbs of salt per regeneration at least once a week.
Very hard water ( over 30 grains ), or water high in iron ( over 1 ppm ), may require regenerating every 2 or 3 days.
The result is you will be using at least 30 - 40 lbs. of salt, and more common you will be using 60 - 100 lbs. of salt per month.
P.S. If you run out of Salt, don't expect to have soft water after a few days.
And it may take more than one regeneration to get the water feeling soft again once you've added salt.
I recommend keeping the salt level above the water level in your Brine Tank.
When you start seeing the water level ( normally between 8 - 12 inches ) then it's time to think about adding more salt ( 40 - 120 lbs. ).
Here is a photo of a "Starved" Brine tank ( only a few Pellet "crums" under lots of water ).
You want the water to be covered by the salt, not the other way around.
First is the "quality" of the water you are treating, and then amount of water to be used ( number of people in household ),
What is the hardness level of your water before any filters? ( grains per gallon or ppm )
What is the iron level ( if any ) of your water before any filters? ( ppm = Parts Per Million )
What is the pH level of your water from the source ( before any filters )?
How many people use the water in your home?
And the last variable is the CAPACITY or Amount of RESINS in the media tank.
Common Tank Sizes and Amount of Resins Inside
8" x 35" 0.64 cu. ft. ( 20,480 grains )
8" x 44" 0.75 cu. ft. ( 24,000 grains )
9" x 35" 0.75 cu. ft. ( 24,000 grains )
9" x 40" 1.00 cu.ft. ( 32,000 grains )
9" x 48" 1.00 cu. ft. ( 32,000 grains )
10" x 35" 1.00 cu. ft.( 32,000 grains )
10" x 40" 1.00 cu .ft. ( 32,000 grains )
10" x 44" 1.25 cu. ft. ( 40,000 grains )
10" x 54" 1.50 cu. ft. ( 48,000 grains )
12" x 52" 2.00 cu. ft. ( 64,000 grains )
13" x 54" 2.50 cu. ft. ( 80,000 grains )
Then, it's a question of whether your valve is a simple "day timer" ( operating on the days you "SET" ), or a metered "demand" timer, that counts and tracks the amount of water used.
For an example of the "math" or calculations of "capacity" between regenerations, I'd refer you to this article about how to figure the gallons setting on the mechanical FLECK Metered valves,
see:
How to Set Meter Program Gallons
And the last thing that matters somewhat is the amount of SALT used with each Regeneration,
****The amount of salt needed is mostly based on the amount of resins being recharged.
3/4 cu.ft. resin = 6 - 9 lbs.
1 cu.ft. resin = 8 - 10 lbs.
1.5 cu.ft resin = 12 - 15 lbs.
Typically,
9 lbs for 8 - 9 inch diameter resin tanks,
and 12 lbs. of salt for 10" tanks is average.
If there is a lot of iron ( over 2 ppm ) or if the water is really hard ( over 30 grains ),
then an extra 2 - 4 lbs. of salt per regeneration should be used.
COMMON Frequency of Regeneration
A typical residential system will use 6 - 12 lbs of salt per regeneration at least once a week.
Very hard water ( over 30 grains ), or water high in iron ( over 1 ppm ), may require regenerating every 2 or 3 days.
The result is you will be using at least 30 - 40 lbs. of salt, and more common you will be using 60 - 100 lbs. of salt per month.
P.S. If you run out of Salt, don't expect to have soft water after a few days.
And it may take more than one regeneration to get the water feeling soft again once you've added salt.
I recommend keeping the salt level above the water level in your Brine Tank.
When you start seeing the water level ( normally between 8 - 12 inches ) then it's time to think about adding more salt ( 40 - 120 lbs. ).
Here is a photo of a "Starved" Brine tank ( only a few Pellet "crums" under lots of water ).
You want the water to be covered by the salt, not the other way around.
Understanding Water Softener Capacity
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