No Salt Systems Vs Culligan

Recently there has been a lot of buzz about about “No-Salt” water gadgets and “Salt- Free” water devices advertised on TV and promoted by plumbing companies. The implied (and often stated) message is that you can get the benefits of SOFT WATER without a water softener. This is simply not true – there aren’t any effective “Salt-Free” alternatives for water softening. Laboratory tests by third parties (like the Army Corp of Engineers) indicate that these alternative “No-Salt” gadgets do not “soften” the water. The claims that these devices effectively eliminate scale effectively and consistently have also been de-bunked in laboratory tests.

Soft Water works:

Salt-free Water Softener Myths – The Research

Laboratory tests by independent third parties suggest that magnetic water treatment devices do not deliver the benefits of soft water. Additionally, third party research has consistently concluded that these products do not work in all water conditions nor in a consistent predictable way. 34 separate report papers indicate that physical water treatment does not work in a consistent and predictable way. Title: WQA Magnetics Task Force Army Corps of Engineers tested two magnetic (Descal-A-Matic and Aqua Magnetic) and one electronic device (Ener Tec) in 2001. The findings do not support the claims of the manufacturers regarding the ability of their respective devices prevent mineral scale formation in hot potable water systems. Title: Demonstration and Evaluation of Magnetic Descalers WQA determined no performance test standard for Physical Treatment Devices exists in the US for “Salt Free” devices Title: WQA Consumer Alert Penn State University states there is virtually no valid scientific data to support any water treatment benefit from magnetic devices. Companies use testimonials from “hundreds of satisfied customers” to support their claims. Title: Magnetic Water Treatment Devices South Dakota Magnet School of Mines & Technology tested two different classes of magnetic water treatment devices. Measurements included boiling point depression, surface tension, water conductivity and “scaling Rate”. No difference seen between raw water and magnets. Title: Performance of Permanent Magnet Type Water Treatment Device