If you live anywhere in Minnesota, you probably have a water softener in your utility closet. At least, we hope you do. With our naturally hard water, it’s an essential piece of equipment if you hope to avoid the ugly, expensive problems hard water can cause. Most of us know that a water softener contains salt, but why? How does a water softener work to improve the quality of our water?

Pellets, crystals, and block salt, oh my! Rock, solar and evaporated salt, oh dear! There are so many varieties of salt sold for water softeners, it can be difficult to know what makes them different and which one is best for your water system. Don’t worry, we’ll dissolve those issues for you.

You love your modern home appliances because they make your life easier and better in so many ways. But one thing you can count on — eventually there comes a time when you have to decide whether repairs will keep your appliance on the front lines or if replacement is the smarter choice. So, when your water softener doesn’t seem to be functioning at peak efficiency, how do you decide? Let’s take a look at the typical longevity of a water softener. We’ll cover the signs your system may have a problem, what it could be, and when you should

If your water softener is running but isn’t softening your water, there are a few problem-solving tactics you can try that may fix the issue before having to call in the experts. In this video, Haferman Water Service Manager, Mike Nielsen walks you through a few areas to check if you are experiencing hard water in your home.

If your water softener goes out, or you’re looking to upgrade, you have two options — rent or buy. Many people don’t realize water softener rental is even possible, but in some circumstances, it can be the most cost-effective decision. So, how do you know whether to rent or buy? Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each possibility.

Water softening systems are a homeowner’s best friend. After all, with soft water, you don’t have to clean yellow stains from your clothes or scrub limescale buildup off the shower walls. We could go on and on about the benefits of soft water, but we realize that choosing a water softening system can seem difficult. There are so many different brands out there. How do you know which one is best for your home? Water softeners, like Kinetico, offer distinct benefits that can help you save money in the long run and spend less time on maintenance. In several key

Did you know that your water softener actually works harder in the summer? Your water softener’s workload depends on two things: the amount of water you use, and how hard that water is. Water use tends to increase in the summer and hardness levels can fluctuate. And that means your water softener has to work harder.

Here in Minnesota, almost everybody needs a water softener for their home because our water is naturally very hard. But what kind should you get? There are two types — salt and saltless water softeners. Would a saltless water softener be better for household use? We consider water “hard” when it has an overly-high concentration of certain minerals — calcium and magnesium, in particular. Over time, those minerals can take a toll on our skin, hair, clothes, kitchenware, dishes, plumbing fixtures, and appliances. It’s annoying, to say the least. And it can be costly, too. Soft water prevents these problems,

We’ve all heard that strange noise in our utility closets or mechanical rooms. Sure, it could be your furnace, but it could also be your water softener regenerating. Once you hear it, you wonder if your water softener is regenerating too often, or not frequently enough. Then you ask yourself, how often should my water softener regenerate?