Earth Day 2016: New smart technology reduces water and salt use in water softening process
Smart technology has been a growing segment for consumers for some time. Sure, you may have had that smart phone in your pocket for several years now, however there is so much more out there!
From smart cars and solar panels to home security systems and thermostats, smart technology can make life simpler, conserve resources and save you money.
Two examples of Water-Right water softeners equipped with W.E.T. systems.
There is one aspect of home technology that has remained virtually unchanged for years and it has to do with a resource we use daily: water. But a new system, W.E.T. from Water-Right, will change how you think about your water consumption.
To borrow the words of the Jedi Master Yoda from “Empire Strikes Back”: “You must unlearn what you have learned.” That water softener systems will be nothing more than what they currently are: water-guzzling and salt-using machines that sit in the dark corners of basements.
With W.E.T., Water-Right has developed a smarter, more economical, and environmentally-friendly way for water softeners to work.
U.S. Hard Water & Water Use
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that an average, American family of four uses 400 gallons of water a day! Of that, roughly 70 percent comes from inside the home.
Water is an extremely valuable resource. Without it…well…we wouldn’t be here. And there are concerns that the earth will be facing some serious consequences in a little more than a decade.
According to a 2015 study from the United Nations, the world is projected to “face a 40% global water deficit” by 2030. That same report also says that about 20% of the world’s aquifers are currently over-used.
So what does that mean for you and what can you do about it?
A map of the concentration of water hardness as calcium carbonate. Source: U.S. Geological Survey.
Well, in the U.S., the U.S. Geological Survey says 85 percent of homes have hard water (dissolved calcium, metals, or other minerals), according to a 2012 story in the Chicago Tribune.
For those of you who have water softeners, many of those systems are inefficient when it comes to their water use during regeneration. However, Water-Right’s patented W.E.T. (Water Efficient Technology) reduces the amount of water and salt that its softener systems need to clean themselves, compared to others on the market. The long and short of it: W.E.T. learns when homeowners are going to need more water – or less water during a week’s use.
So what does this mean?
A graphic shows how Water Efficient Technology, or W.E.T., can save water and salt versus traditional water softener systems.
When the softener industry touts ‘salt savings’ through ‘high efficient’ systems, all that’s being expressed is the amount of salt being saved. However, W.E.T. learns your water usage and tells when to regenerate.
Let’s say, for example, your water softener system uses 1,175 gallons between regeneration. After four days, the household has used 960 gallons and regeneration will begin because there is only 215 gallons (18 percent) of capacity remaining – not enough water to get through the next day’s average water usage.
Our W.E.T. system automatically calculates the amount of salt and water the system needs to complete regeneration, based on the remaining capacity. Therefore, using the W.E.T. system can save an average consumer 18 percent on water and salt per regeneration. That’s on the low end; in some instances, uses can see up to a 50 percent savings in salt alone.
In turn, you conserve energy and keep water, salt (and money) from needlessly going down the drain!
W.E.T. Application
This system can be applied to both well and municipal water sources. However, applying W.E.T. to city water systems has shown the most savings on salt, backwash and rinse waters.
So, on this Earth Day, while your mind might venture towards more traditional ways to do your part in protecting the environment, don’t limit your efforts to environmental clean up or more traditional home efficiency upgrades. Remember that old water softener sitting in your basement and give the experts at your local Evolve or WaterCare dealer a call to find out how you too can get your water W.E.T.!
Our W.E.T. features are the most efficient system on the market today and are available exclusively on our Evolve and WaterCare products.
Click here to become a dealer.