Hotel Water Softener Basics
In previous newsletters, I shared the basics of tank and tankless hot water systems. Today, I discuss one last and often overlooked component of the hotel water system – Water Softeners.
What Does A Water Softener Do?
- A water softener is a tank system that removes the ions (i.e., usually calcium and magnesium) from the water to make it “softer.”
Do I Need One?
- Over 80% of hotels in the US require water softeners.
- Water softeners may not be required in certain areas of the Northwest and Northeast.
- In the most cases, a water softener is required when water hardness is more than 5 grains per gallon in hot water and 7 grains per gallon in cold water. A basic water test can determine the water profile.
- Hard water – when left untreated – can clog plumbing systems with limescale and reduce the lifespan of the plumbing equipment and fixtures.
- After treatment, the water softens and easily liquefies soap for easier removal of soap scum from sinks and tubs.
What Types Are There?
- There are several different types of softeners; however, the best option is a softener that uses ion exchange.
- Ion exchange is the technology most commonly used in water softeners.
What Size Do I Need?
- A typical 120-key hotel needs two 24” diameter softener tanks and one 30” diameter brine tank. These tanks take up an approximate 7’ by 2.5’ footprint in the water heater room.
- Choosing the size of the system required for each hotel is important.
- Oversized systems lead to hardness leakage due to inefficient flowrates. Undersized systems lead to pressure issues.
- Your MEP engineer should work directly with Culligan or another softener representative to ensure it is properly sized.
How Much Do They Cost?
- A water softener for a typical 120-key hotel can range from $5,000-$10,000.
- Cost fluctuations depend on whether you plan to soften only hot water or both the cold and hot.
- Since hot and cold water are mixed, most manufacturers recommend treating both sources.
What Maintenance Is Required?
- Softener maintenance is fairly basic.
- Requirements include regular cleaning of the brine tank and use of a high-quality salt and clean resin.
What Brands Are The Most Popular?
- Culligan is the most popular water softener we specify in our hotels. They have a longstanding reputation and are available nationwide.
If you have further questions or would like to discuss more details, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you,
Blair Hildahl
Base4 Principal
608.304.5228
hi thanks for the information
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