Plumbing
How to choose your water softener? Expert guide 2025
Practical guide to selecting the softener suited to your needs: water hardness, capacity, technologies and installation.
· 11 min read · VCN Energy
How to choose your water softener: the complete guide for Belgians
Tap water in Belgium is renowned for its impeccable sanitary quality. However, in many regions, it has a high hardness that can cause daily inconvenience and damage your installations.
Understanding water hardness
Water hardness measures the concentration of calcium and magnesium ions, responsible for limescale formation.
- Soft water: less than 15°f
- Moderately hard water: 15 to 25°f
- Hard water: 25 to 35°f
- Very hard water: more than 35°f
The consequences of overly calcareous water
On your household appliances
Limescale builds up in heating elements of water heaters and washing machines, increasing energy consumption by up to 25% and halving the lifespan of appliances.
How a water softener works
The most common technology is ion exchange. Water passes through a resin loaded with sodium. Calcium and magnesium ions are captured by the resin and replaced by sodium ions.
Conclusion
The water softener is an investment that quickly pays for itself thanks to the savings generated.
Contact VCN Energy at 0470 27 16 08 for a free analysis of your water hardness.