What Are the Different Types of Water Conditioners?

Water conditioners are the best choice if you’re looking for an alternative to salt-based water softeners. But did you know that there are different types of water conditioners? Regardless of which one you select, you’ll end up with a water conditioner that will prevent limescale buildup from hard water.

At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’ve installed all water conditioner types and are familiar with how they work against hard water. Since 2007, we’ve helped thousands of homeowners gain knowledge about water conditioners and successfully helped them install one in their homes.

There are two types of water conditioners, template-assisted crystallization (TAC) and electromagnetic systems. By the end of this article, you’ll know how both systems work and successfully tell them apart. With this knowledge, you’ll be on the right path to making an informed purchasing decision.

To start things off, let’s differentiate.

Are All Water Conditioners the Same?

All water conditioners are designed to combat hard water, but they aren’t all the same. Both water conditioner systems combat hard water using different technology. Before we get into the different types of water conditioners, let’s look into how hard water affects your home.

Hard water is water that has naturally picked up calcium and magnesium minerals. Without a water conditioner, these minerals stick to surfaces, causing scale as the hard water flows through your pipes.

Water conditioners rose in popularity as a saltless alternative to water softeners and are often incorrectly referred to as salt-free water softeners. Since water conditioners are missing the key ingredient of salt, they don’t soften the water.

Soft water is popular due to its many benefits, but water conditioners provide their advantages too. Here’s a look at all the benefits of water conditioners.

• Reduces scale buildup: Scale is the white chalky substance visible on showerheads, faucets, appliances, and other fixtures. Once it significantly reduces, your fixtures and appliances will look aesthetically better.
• Improves water flow: Water conditioners reduce the scale inside plumbing pipes, so water will flow better without scale hindering it.
• Can extend the life of appliances and fixtures: Coffee makers, faucets, and other appliances will perform much better thanks to a reduced scale. Scale reduction can also extend the life of your home’s appliances that use water.
• Protects plumbing pipes: Plumbing pipes will have increased flow thanks to scale reduction.
• Does not produce salted wastewater: One of the most significant drawbacks of water softeners is that some produce salted wastewater which isn’t environmentally friendly since they’re not always filtered at water plants.
• Less soap scum: Scale buildup from hard water also affects bath soaps. It dries up on soap and gives it a chalky appearance. Soap without scum lasts longer and cleans more effectively.

While water conditioners and softeners share a few benefits, they have more differences than similarities.

Template-Assisted Crystallization (TAC) Water Conditioners

Water conditioners with TAC technology were introduced in Germany over 15 years ago and eventually entered the American market. Since their introduction, TAC water conditioners have been more frequently installed by homeowners. They’re also popular in areas where water softeners are prohibited, such as Santa Clarita.

These water conditioners are named after the chemical process in which they combat calcium and magnesium found in hard water. Also known as nucleation-assisted crystallization (NAC), here’s a breakdown of how this process works.

1. This single-tank water conditioner is installed at a home’s point of entry where water enters.
2. The hard water immediately makes its way through the tank.
3. The tank has unique resin beads which immediately attract the calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate minerals attached to water.
4. Microscopic nucleation sites are located inside the resin beads, which forces these minerals to attach to each other.
5. The minerals responsible for hard water become crystallized and stable enough not to reattach to water or other surfaces.
6. The conditioned water is released into the home.

The complex process may sound timely, but it takes a few seconds. So after installing a water conditioner in your home, you should expect treated water immediately.

Here’s a look at the advantages and disadvantages of TAC water conditioners.

Pros of TAC Water Conditioners

• 90% to 99% effective against hard water and scale
• Single tank system takes up less space than water softener
• Minimal maintenance
• Resin beads replacement every couple of years
• No salt or chemicals required

Cons of TAC Water Conditioners

• Not the best choice for well water sources. Well water contains high levels of sediments like iron, which can damage the resin beads in TAC water conditioners.
• Does not produce soft water

With TAC water conditioners done and dusted, we can dive into electromagnetic water conditioners.

Electromagnetic Water Conditioners

Also known as magnetic water conditioners, these systems have been around for over 50 years. The basic concept of how they work is the same as it was at the start, but the technology used for these water conditioners has improved tremendously.

Here’s a look at how electromagnetic water conditioners operate.

1. Like TAC water conditioners, these systems are connected at the point of entry.
2. The magnetic water conditioner sends out low-frequency electrical currents a thousand times per second.
3. The electromagnetic waves cause the calcium and magnesium minerals to harden.
4. The minerals crystalize and remain in the water flow.
5. The crystallized minerals no longer stick to surfaces which effectively reduces scale.

Many of these devices are sold for residential and commercial use. Flow-Tech is one of the leading electromagnetic water conditioner brands, but it is only sold and installed by licensed technicians like Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric.

Take a look at the pros and cons of electromagnetic water conditioners to get a better idea of what to expect.

Pros of Electromagnetic Water Conditioners

• Completely tankless water conditioner takes up minimal space
• Very little to no maintenance is required
• Compatible with whole-house carbon filtration systems for even more filtered water
• Removes scale present in pipes

Cons of Electromagnetic Water Conditioners

• Does not produce soft water

Which Water Conditioner Is Best for Me?

Hard water flows throughout Los Angeles, but there are various ways to address the effects of hard water, like scale and soap scum. Understanding how these treatment systems work, like TAC and electromagnetic water conditioners, can get confusing. Now that you know about the differences between the different types of water conditioners, pros, and cons, you can wave goodbye to hard water effects once you decide on the best option for you.

At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’ve seen how decades of scale buildup can damage plumbing pipes, leading to expensive whole-house repairs. We’ve also seen the benefits of TAC and electromagnetic water conditioners firsthand.

If you’re interested in seeing what water treatment options are available or have general questions about these systems, contact us using one of the following buttons. You can also contact us through our water filtration scheduler.