Whole-home Softening

Whole-home Softening | Water Purification | Plumbing | Guild

Imagine stepping into the shower and feeling silky-smooth water that’s gentle on your skin, your hair, and every pipe in the house. HEP’s whole-home softening system quietly replaces harsh minerals with softness, guarding fixtures against scale buildup while letting soaps and cleansers work their magic. From spotless glassware to fluffier towels, the difference is immediate—and you’ll taste it every time you pour a refreshing glass, thanks to our advanced water purification technology working behind the scenes.

Beyond pure comfort, you’ll protect appliances, lower energy bills, and extend the lifespan of everything that touches your water. Installed by HEP’s certified Guild craftsmen, each system is tailored to the chemistry of your home, backed by clear warranties and friendly local service. Upgrade once, enjoy for decades, and feel the change in every drop.

FAQs

What is a whole-home water softener and how does it work?

A whole-home softener treats every drop of water that enters your property, removing hardness minerals—primarily calcium and magnesium—through a process called ion exchange. Inside the softener tank, water flows over resin beads that are charged with sodium (or potassium) ions. The hardness minerals swap places with these harmless ions, leaving the water ‘soft.’ Periodically, the unit regenerates by flushing a brine solution through the resin to recharge it so the process can start again.

How is a whole-home softening and purification system different from an under-sink filter?

An under-sink or point-of-use filter only improves the water at a single tap, usually by trapping sediment, chlorine, or specific contaminants. A whole-home system treats all incoming water before it is distributed to taps, appliances, and fixtures. Softening protects plumbing, hot-water heaters, and appliances from scale build-up, while the integrated purification stage removes tastes, odours, and additional contaminants throughout the house, not just at one faucet.

What benefits can Guild homeowners expect from installing this system?

• Reduced limescale on fixtures, tiles, and shower screens, making cleaning faster and easier. • Longer lifespan and improved efficiency for boilers, washing machines, and dishwashers because heating elements stay scale-free. • Softer skin and hair after bathing, plus brighter laundry thanks to less mineral residue. • Lower detergent and soap usage—up to 50% less—because soft water lathers more readily. • Consistently fresh-tasting, odour-free water from every tap, eliminating the need for bottled water or separate filters.

How much maintenance does the system need, and how long does it last?

Routine maintenance is minimal. You (or our service team) will top up the brine tank with water-softening salt roughly once a month, depending on household water use and hardness levels. The system’s control valve automatically handles regeneration cycles. We recommend an annual inspection to check settings, sanitise the resin bed, and replace any pre-filters. With proper care, the resin can last 10–15 years and the main control valve 15–20 years before major refurbishment is required.

Is softened water safe to drink, and will it affect taste?

Yes. Softened water produced by ion exchange meets UK drinking-water regulations. The added sodium is minimal—on average 20–40 mg /L, well below the 200 mg /L legal limit. In homes with very hard water, we can install a bypass tap for anyone on a low-sodium diet. Because scale-forming minerals and chlorine are removed, most people find the water smoother and better-tasting. If you prefer zero-sodium water, an optional reverse-osmosis drinking station can be added.

What happens during installation and how long does it take?

One of our Guild-based plumbing teams will first survey your property to find the best location—usually near the mains stopcock in a utility room, garage, or loft. On installation day we: 1. Isolate and drain the incoming supply. 2. Fit a bypass manifold so you can turn the softener on or off at any time. 3. Install the resin tank, brine tank, and any pre-filters. 4. Connect the unit to a nearby drain and electrical outlet. 5. Programme the control valve to match your water hardness and usage. A typical retrofit takes 4–6 hours for a standard home, with the water off for only about 30 minutes. New-build installations can be even faster because pipework is prepared in advance.