Why a water softener?
So-called 'hard' water contains a high concentration of mineral salts, mainly calcium and magnesium. These minerals cause limescale that gradually deposits in your pipes, household appliances and on all surfaces in contact with water.
The harder the water, the faster deposits accumulate. The result: appliances that consume more, rougher laundry, dull dishes, white marks in the bathroom and loss of performance from your water heater.
A softener removes these minerals through a chemical process called 'ion exchange'. It protects your installation, extends the life of your appliances and improves your daily comfort.
How does a softener work?
The softener uses a resin loaded with sodium ions, in the form of porous beads of 0.2 to 0.3 mm. When hard water passes through this resin, the calcium and magnesium ions attach to it and release sodium ions in exchange. The water comes out softened.
When the resin is saturated, it must be regenerated. Brine (salt water) is introduced: sodium ions take their place on the resin, and calcium/magnesium ions are sent to the drain. The resin is then ready for a new cycle.
On Orus, this process is fully automatic and triggered at the precise volume needed. Our counter-current regeneration reduces salt consumption by up to 40% compared to a conventional softener.
The daily benefits
💧 Comfort
Softer skin, shinier hair, softer laundry. Less limescale, more softness.
⚙️ Longevity
Your appliances (washing machine, dishwasher, water heater) last up to 30% longer without limescale buildup.
💰 Savings
Fewer cleaning products, less descaling, up to 25% savings on your water heater's energy bill.
🌱 Ecology
Fewer chemicals released, fewer appliance replacements. A sustainable choice for your home.
Parameters to monitor
Water hardness (TH)
Measured in French degrees (°f) or German degrees (°dH). 1 °f = 10 mg/L of limescale. Water is considered hard above 25 °f. Above 30 °f, softening is strongly recommended.
Salt capacity
The softener consumes salt at each regeneration. Regularly check the level in the salt tank and refill before it is completely empty. Use quality tablets or blocks (pure salt > 99.5%).
Operating pressure
The softener works within a defined pressure range. Too low, regeneration does not work properly. Too high, you risk damaging the components.
Flow rate
The flow rate must match your number of draw-off points. A 4-person household needs about 1.5 to 2 m³/h to use several taps simultaneously without pressure loss.
Resin volume
The greater the resin volume, the more water the softener can treat between two regenerations. To be adapted to the hardness of your water and your daily consumption.
Regeneration frequency
Volumetric regeneration (triggered by volume) is more efficient than calendar regeneration (triggered on a fixed date). It adapts to your real consumption and avoids unnecessary cycles.
How to assess your water hardness?
Three main methods:
- Test strips: available in stores, results in seconds.
- Water bill: hardness is often indicated by your water supplier.
- Town hall or local council: technical services can inform you about the average hardness of your area.
Visual observation: if you see white deposits on your taps, marks on dishes or limescale forming quickly in the kettle, your water is probably hard (> 25 °f).
Maintenance: what to do (and not do)
✓ Do
- Check the salt level monthly.
- Refill with salt before the tank is empty.
- Use quality salt (purity > 99.5%).
- Have the installation checked by a professional every 1 to 2 years.
✕ Avoid
- Mixing different types of salt (crystals, tablets, blocks).
- Leaving the salt tank completely empty for a long time.
- Drinking softened water in large quantities (prefer non-softened tap water for drinking).
- Disassembling or attempting to repair the valve yourself.
Have other questions?
Our Dimm experts will guide you in choosing and installing your Orus softener.
Contact us →