Changing form Salt to Potassium in Softener

   / Changing form Salt to Potassium in Softener #1  

jeffinsgf

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2005
Messages
1,265
Location
Springfield, MO
Tractor
JD 4410
I've run my water softener empty of salt and want to switch from salt to potassium chloride. Is there anything I need to know about changing? On my water softener, the label has instructions for every model Westinghouse makes. The one just above mine (of course) has a setting for potassium chloride, but it doesn't say what it changes. Should I worry about that, or just switch and keep on going.
 
   / Changing form Salt to Potassium in Softener #2  
If you don't have a special setting for potassium chloride, just make the change and don't worry too much.

I don't know what it would change insider the softener.
 
   / Changing form Salt to Potassium in Softener #3  
I ran my Waterboss from day one on potassium Chloride. Did not change a thing. I always wandered about changing to salt. Sold it with the house. Need a new one for this house.

Cary:cool:
 
   / Changing form Salt to Potassium in Softener #4  
I use potassium chloride in my softener. Always bought it at Lowes until they decided to price it just below the price of GOLD. It is still $24.95, per 40#. Started out at $7.95.

Checked with the service agency about switching to salt and was told, "No problem."

Have now found another source for potassium chloride at a local grocery store for $14.95 per 40# bag.

By the way, never noticed any difference with the water.
 
   / Changing form Salt to Potassium in Softener #5  
at $14.95 for 40#, isn't that a lot higher than salt?? so whats the advantage of switching from salt?
heehaw
 
   / Changing form Salt to Potassium in Softener #6  
so whats the advantage of switching from salt?

A lot of us geezers have been told to restrict the sodium in our diet. Substituting potassium in your drinking water helps.

Ask your doctor.
 
   / Changing form Salt to Potassium in Softener #7  
You may also want to consider staying with salt, especially if your water is moderately hard. Install a small reverse osmosis system under the sink, for drinking water, and water/ice in the fridge if you have that. These systems run right around $200 at your local toy, oops, I mean hardware store, and remove everything. Some of my clients complain that their water doesn't have ANY taste after installation, and I just add a mineral cartridge in the system to restore that "water" flavor. Really.

lots of good info at budgetwater.com
 
Last edited:
   / Changing form Salt to Potassium in Softener #8  
CurlyDave, Potassium Chloride is a fertilizer so you can run the system flush tube into the grass. And salt is, well you know, salt.
I agree that $14.95 is still higher than salt, but like I said above, I weighed the advantages and disadvantages.
 
   / Changing form Salt to Potassium in Softener #9  
At $10+ per bag savings it would be probably be cheaper in the long run to go with salt and do the RO.

I have installed the top-of-the-line Sears RO in 4 different houses (2 mine, 2 family) and it works great. The filters last about a year and can get a little spendy at $40 for a pair. There are two of them in the system, a pre filter and a post filter. The pre filter is the one that gets 'dirty'. I have taken to moving the post filter to the pre filter position and using just a new filter in the post filter position.... this saves about $20 each time. Since the post filter is filtering water coming out of the RO I am not sure what it is supposed to filter... except $$ out of your wallet :rolleyes:
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2002 SHALE PRODUCTIONS SAND SEPARATOR (A47001)
2002 SHALE...
2007 SAND  SEPARATOR (A47001)
2007 SAND...
2008 HOLDEN INDUSTRIES, INC 100 ANTENNA TRAILER (A47001)
2008 HOLDEN...
2018 Peterbilt 567 Galbreath AF-OR-174 T/A Roll Off Truck (A45336)
2018 Peterbilt 567...
2016 VOLVO VNL TANDEM AXLE SLEEPER (A45677)
2016 VOLVO VNL...
2018 VOLVO VNL64T670 TANDEM AXLE SLEEPER TRUCK (A45677)
2018 VOLVO...
 
Top