What Size Water Softener Do I Need? Find the Perfect Fit!
This guide explores these key considerations for home or business owners dealing with the unpleasant reality of hard water:
- Why it’s crucial to purchase the right size water softener
- How to select the appropriate water softener system for your needs
- The many benefits of professional water testing
- Why your water softener should be installed by a licensed plumber
Making the decision to invest in a water softening system is a smart proactive move that has many benefits, but purchasing the wrong size can lead to water waste, higher utility bills, and reduced effectiveness.
Thankfully, the expert team at Angel Water has decades of experience with helping home and business owners solve their hard water problems with invaluable guidance and professional installation and maintenance.
Let’s take a closer look at critical factors to consider when choosing the right water softener size for your home or business.
Read The Best Water Softeners of 2025: Your Ultimate Guide!
Why You Need a Water Softening System
Before determining what size water softening system is the best for your property, it’s important to know your water hardness level. Hard water is usually caused by dissolved calcium, magnesium, and other minerals that seep into your municipal water supply or well from its natural hydrological process.
Hard water is very common across the US and can cause a variety of unpleasant issues, such as:
- Limescale buildup around sinks and faucets
- Soap scum
- Spots or stains on clothing and plumbing
- Reduced efficiency of water-using major appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters
- Dry hair and skin dryness or irritation
- Health problems from exposure to barium, lead, or iron particulates
Water hardness is typically measured in grains per gallon (GPG), milligrams (MGPG) or parts per million (PPM). One GPG equals 17.1 mg/ L or 17.1 PPM. One grain of hardness is equal to 1/7,000th pound of rock or particulates.
You can obtain this information by contacting your local water provider, using an EPA-certified home water testing kit, or having professional water analysis conducted.
Once you know your water hardness level and the contaminants that may be present in your supply, you can find a solution that ensures you and your family have unlimited access to clean, pure water for drinking, cooking, and bathing.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Water Softener Size
The next crucial element in water softener sizing is understanding daily water consumption in your home or business.
On average, each person around 80 gallons of water per day, according to the EPA. To estimate your household’s daily water usage:
- Multiply the number of people in your home by 80 gallons
- Add extra gallons for high-water-use appliances or activities
- Or use this handy Water Use Calculator from the Southwest Florida Water Management District for families and individual residences
For businesses, consider the number of employees, customers, and water-intensive processes to perform an accurate water usage audit. You can also read your water meter at the beginning and end of a set period (like a month), then subtract the initial reading from the final reading to get your total water usage for that period.
Determining Your Water Softening Requirement
To calculate your daily water softening requirement, use this formula:
Daily Softening Requirement = Number of people × Average daily water use × Water hardness
For example, if you have a family of four, each using 75 gallons per day, with water hardness of 10 GPG:
4 × 75 × 10 = 3,000 grains per day
To choose the appropriate size, consider your daily softening requirement and aim for a unit that can handle about a week’s worth of softening before regeneration. This ensures efficient operation and reduces water and salt usage.
For a quick reference, here’s a water softener sizing chart based on hardness and household size:
What Happens If You Pick the Wrong Size Water Softener?
Investing in a water softener or filtration system that is either too small or too large, or isn’t equipped for your specific situation, can have disastrous results.
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Your water softener should be large enough to provide a consistent supply of clean water whenever and wherever it’s needed in your home or business.
If it’s too small, you’ll run out of purified water more frequently and the system will regenerate more often, which could lead to water waste, increased repair bills, and inefficient filtration. A system that is too big for your property won’t regenerate enough, which causes bacteria growth in the resin tank.
If professional comprehensive water testing reveals lead, iron, radium, or other harmful heavy metals present in your supply, it’s vital to partner with the expert team at Angel Water to ensure you have the right filtration to protect your loved ones, tenants, or employees.
Watch Drew’s latest video on the Top Water Softeners of 2025!
Angel Water Has the Perfect Water Softener Solution for Your Property
The best water softener is one that has NSF/ANSI 44 certification, a respected independent organization that performs rigorous testing and inspections. Look for water softeners that have parts manufactured in the US, as these models are more durable and easier to maintain. These proven products will run more efficiently and be more reliable, saving you both time and money.
Angel Water offers a variety of high-quality pro-grade water softeners, from countertop units to whole-house filtration systems and bespoke commercial solutions for your office, shop, or warehouse.
EcoWater
We’re proud to be an authorized dealer of EcoWater products, which are manufactured in the US with the latest technology in the industry and offer an impressive buyer warranty.
EcoWater’s 100, 200, and 300 Compact Series water conditioners with HydroLink Plus® are ideal for health-conscious home and business owners who don’t need the largest capacity system yet demand the very best user experience.
For those who need more clean water for a variety of residential or commercial applications, you can maximize your peace of mind with the ECR3702R70.
Kinetico Water Systems
Kinetico water softeners offer a 5-plus-5 warranty, with American-made components and NSF-44 certification. Their Signature Series® features a twin-tank design and a generous system capacity for larger properties or commercial applications.
PurASoft
For those with city water, the PurASoft ERRC3702 is NSF/ANSI certified to remove barium and radium 226/228. It also removes chlorine, calcium and ammonia, and uses the least amount of salt. This efficient water softening system is perfect for bigger households or offices.
Property owners who get their water from a well should consider the PurASoft A3000e, which is made in the US and comes with a 10-year warranty. This powerhouse delivers a dependable supply of fresh, pure water for your family or staff.
The Benefits of Partnering with a Professional
Selecting the right water softener system can seem like a daunting challenge with so many options on the market. Many homeowners wonder if they really need to soften their water, what size water softener is needed, and if they can save money by DIYing or hiring a friend to do the installation. Our experts are here to guide you every step of the way.
Critical Testing
Routine EPA-certified water testing is essential, especially if you or your loved ones utilize water from a well for drinking, cooking, bathing, and taking care of pets. Well water is susceptible to many different contaminants such as toxic chemicals, microorganisms, and heavy metal elements.
Although municipal water is tested, this supply can still contain impurities such as iron, hardwater minerals, chemicals, or bacteria. Runoff from industrial sites, polluted stormwater, and sewage overflows can all affect the municipal water supply in certain conditions.
Angel Water provides free water testing for residents in our service areas of West Palm Beach, Florida and Chicagoland.
Installation and Maintenance
Water softeners and other water treatment products have to meet codes set by the Department of Public Health, which require that a licensed plumber install all such equipment. Improper installation can cause contamination, appliance failure, or health concerns.
For property owners looking to flip or sell soon in this competitive real estate market, it’s even more important to ensure your plumbing and water filtration system is up to code. Failed inspections due to shoddy work or a polluted water supply can lower the value of your home.
All water treatment systems need regular maintenance to continue running correctly. Our licensed technicians change filters, replace salt, and fix problems like leaks, low pressure, and clogs.
When it comes to ensuring your family has unlimited access to the cleanest possible water, you can trust the experienced licensed plumbers at Angel Water — reach out to us today!
Want Softer Water? Schedule an Appointment Now!
Find out how a water softener can help protect your home from hard water damage. Schedule an appointment with our water specialists today to explore the best solutions for your home.
