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Which Water Softener Is Right for My Home?
Choosing the right water softener isn't just about the number of bathrooms. The best system depends on several factors, including your household's water usage, the hardness of your local water supply, peak water demand, available installation space and even the long-term running costs of salt and water.
For smaller homes or properties with lower water demand, a compact water softener is often the ideal solution. Larger homes, properties with multiple bathrooms or households with higher water usage will usually benefit from a higher-capacity system that can deliver softened water more efficiently.
Our EMS10 Eco Premier and EMS15 Eco Premier water softeners are our premium recommendation for customers looking for outstanding long-term performance, efficiency and durability. They feature Ultra SX food-grade resin, one of the highest-quality ion exchange resins available, intelligent meter-controlled regeneration to help minimise salt and water consumption, and are backed by our 10-year parts and labour warranty for complete peace of mind.
We also supply compact non-electric systems, including Harvey water softeners, which are an excellent option where installation space is limited or where a twin-tank design is preferred.
The right choice depends on your home and priorities, so we always recommend discussing your requirements before ordering.
Need help choosing?
Our team can recommend the most suitable water softener based on:
- Your estimated water hardness
- Number of bathrooms
- Household size and daily water usage
- Flow rate requirements
- Available installation space
- Long-term running costs
- Budget and preferred features
If you're unsure which model is right for your home, give our team a call on 0116 276 3334 before ordering. We'll happily recommend the most suitable system for your property, with no obligation.
Will a Water Softener Remove Existing Limescale?
Yes. Existing limescale doesn't disappear overnight, but softened water gradually helps dissolve old deposits over time. As untreated hard water is no longer adding new layers of scale, the existing limescale slowly breaks down and is naturally washed away.
How quickly this happens depends on several factors, including:
- The amount of existing limescale.
- How long the limescale has been building up.
- Your household's water usage.
- The hardness of your local water supply.
Many homeowners notice improvements within a few weeks, such as cleaner taps, shower screens and kettles. Heavily scaled appliances or plumbing systems may take several months before older deposits have significantly reduced.
A water softener immediately stops new limescale from forming by removing the hardness minerals (calcium and magnesium) that cause scale. From the moment it's installed, your boiler, hot water system, pipework and household appliances are protected from further limescale build-up.
Severely scaled heating elements, shower heads or appliances may still require cleaning or replacement if they have already been damaged by limescale.
Will a Water Softener Fit Under My Kitchen Sink?
In many homes, yes. Most modern water softeners are designed to fit neatly inside a standard kitchen sink cupboard, making them a popular choice for homeowners who want to keep the system out of sight.
In some properties, a utility room, garage or alternative location may be a better option.
Most will tuck away neatly inside a cupboard without much fuss. If space is really tight, we’ve got some ultra-slim models that can fit in spots you wouldn’t expect.
It’s always worth checking the dimensions on the product page, but generally, you won’t need to sacrifice your entire cupboard to get soft water.
If you're unsure, we're happy to help. Simply measure the available space under your sink or send us a few photos of your cupboard, and we'll recommend the most suitable water softener for your home.
Need advice before you buy? Call our team on 0116 276 3334 or send us a photo of your installation space, and we'll help you choose the right model with confidence.
What's the Difference Between an Electric and a Non-Electric Water Softener?
Choosing between an electric and a non-electric water softener is one of the most common questions we're asked! The good news is that both types are highly effective at removing the hardness minerals that cause limescale, so the best choice depends on your home, water usage and what features are most important to you.
Non-electric water softeners, such as the Harvey twin-tank range, operate using the flow and pressure of your incoming water rather than a power supply. Their twin-cylinder design means one tank can continue supplying softened water while the other regenerates, making them an excellent choice for many households. They're also compact, making them ideal where installation space is limited.
Electric water softeners, including our premium EMS10 Eco Premier and EMS15 Eco Premier, offer a greater level of control and efficiency. They can be programmed to match your local water hardness, allowing you to adjust the level of water softness to suit your home. Intelligent meter-controlled systems can also learn your household's water usage over time, helping to optimise regeneration and minimise salt and water consumption. Features such as holiday mode, adjustable regeneration times and advanced diagnostics provide additional flexibility and convenience.
Our premium EMS range also features Ultra SX food-grade resin, one of the highest-quality ion exchange resins available, designed for exceptional long-term performance. Combined with their durable construction and our 10-year parts and labour warranty, they're an excellent choice for homeowners looking for a long-lasting, high-performance water softener.
Which Is Best?
There isn't a single "best" water softener for every home.
The right choice depends on factors such as:
- Your water hardness
- Household water usage
- Number of bathrooms
- Available installation space
- Peak flow rate requirements
- Preferred features and controls
- Long-term running costs
Need advice? Call our team on 0116 276 3334 and we'll be happy to help you choose the right water softener for your home.
Is It Difficult to Keep a Water Softener Topped Up with Salt?
No. Water softeners are designed to be low maintenance and the only routine task is checking the salt level and topping it up when needed.
How often you'll need to add salt depends on several factors, including your household's water usage, the hardness of your local water supply and the type of water softener you choose. Some systems are designed to use salt and water more efficiently than others, so running costs do vary between models.
Many homeowners only need to top up their water softener every few weeks or months.
If your system uses block salt, it's simply a case of placing one or two blocks into the cabinet when the level starts to get low. Tablet salt is equally straightforward to use and is suitable for many other types of water softener.
Apart from keeping the salt topped up, water softeners require very little day-to-day attention, allowing you to enjoy continuous protection against limescale with minimal maintenance.
Do Water Softeners Need Servicing?
Modern water softeners are designed to be low maintenance and require very little routine attention.
To keep your water softener performing at its best, we recommend:
- Keep the salt topped up as required.
- Check the salt cabinet occasionally and keep it clean if needed.
- Follow the manufacturer's maintenance recommendations for your specific model.
- Replace any worn parts if required, although many quality water softeners will operate for years without needing replacement components.
Our premium water softeners are built for long-term reliability, with selected models backed by up to a 10-year parts and labour warranty for added peace of mind.
Why Buy Your Water Softener from East Midlands Water?
Choosing the right water softener is just as important as choosing the right supplier. Since 1989, we've helped thousands of homeowners find the most suitable water softening solution for their home.
Why choose us?
- Family run water treatment specialists with over 35 years of experience.
- Supply-only experts, helping keep prices competitive without expensive installation packages.
- Expert advice before you buy based on your water hardness, household size and plumbing.
- Aftersales technical support from our knowledgeable UK team.
- Premium water softeners with warranties of up to 10 years parts and labour on selected models.
- Rated 4.5★ on Trustpilot for our products and customer service.
- Need installation? We're happy to recommend an experienced local plumber if required.