Frequently Asked Questions

What is required with a new system installation?

When air conditioning technicians prepare to install a new air conditioner, the total work will depend on the type of system decided upon as well as the available components. Homes without installed ductwork will need new ductwork, often made with metal or fiberglass, installed. During the estimate period, trained technicians will determine the size and scope of ductwork required and what, if any, additional work will be required. After installation of your ductwork, the air conditioning unit can be installed and calibrated. Regular maintenance should also be scheduled at this time to keep your cooling unit in working order and your ducts clean.

I want to use my AC less. How do I keep it off longer during the day?

To make sure your air conditioner comes on less often, set the thermostat to a higher temperature. For every degree you raise your thermostat above 72 degrees (up to 78), you will save 8% of your energy costs. Additionally, block direct sunlight from the east and west with awnings, keep the doors and windows sealed while the air conditioner is operational and do not use heat producing appliances during the day when ventilation is less available. By trapping the cool air and ensuring it remains in your home for longer, your machine won't need to work nearly as hard.

What are signs of wear and tear on an air conditioner?

If you notice that your air conditioner is starting to wear down, it doesn't always mean replacement is necessary. However, some issues are more severe than others. The first sign will be an increase in electricity use to run your air conditioner. You may also notice that the cooling unit starts to turn on and off frequently, cooling your house unevenly as it pumps different amounts of air into different parts of the house.

If you have a newer model that is less than 5 years old, most issues should be handled through regular maintenance of your air conditioner. Have your coils cleaned, ducts vacuumed, and cooling units checked at least once a year.

However, if you have a unit that's more than 10 years old, a replacement unit may serve to alleviate these problems and cut down on you energy use, as most new models are far more efficient than those made 10 or more years ago.

What type of air conditioner should I get?

There are a number of different types of air conditioners, though most homeowners will decide between ductless split units and a packaged air conditioning systems. A ductless split system allows you to use a single compressor and pipe the coolant into any room in your home with individual wall-mounted cooling units. For smaller homes or limited cooling needs, a split system is more cost effective and flexible.
For larger homes a packaged system will be needed, which will require the installation of vents and ducts that pipe cool air from an outdoor compressor. The installation is more invasive, but combined with a zone control system you have far more control over the individual temperatures of each room in your house.

How often does air conditioning need to be replaced?

You'll hear a lot of variation on this question, however most modern air conditioning units will last between 10-15 years if they are properly maintained. That maintenance is the real key to reducing the costly expense of replacement. Keep in mind as well that newer systems designed to minimize work load and provide energy efficient cooling can last even longer if properly maintained. If you have your cooling unit serviced annually and check it yourself periodically, anywhere from 15-20 years is possible.

Do hydronics work well with other types of heating?

Hydronics can be installed in addition to warm air heating as well as a heat pump if you already have another heating system in place. The addition of hydronic piping in the floor and outside is something only this form of heating can provide and makes a great supplement to a traditional heat source from your furnace.

Where is hydronic heating best suited?

Hydronic heating works in almost any building type, though it is best suited for residential buildings and homes. Sometimes, very large homes or complexes will utilize multiple boiler systems to ensure adequate heat throughout the coldest months of winter, but with high efficiency modern boilers, even that may not be necessary.

Will it cost more to install a hydronics system?

The cost of hydronics installation is slightly higher than furnace air heating. However, because hydronics heating is more efficient in retaining heat in a room, and because of the easy addition of zone controls, money is saved in the long run as your boiler will use far less energy than a traditional gas or electric furnace. On average, a hydronic heating system will deliver energy bills about 1/3 less than a traditional heating bill.

What is Hydronic Radiant Heating?

The idea behind radiant heating is simple. Using a boiler, you heat up water or create steam (though it is almost always water). The hot water or steam is then circulated throughout the house in pipes and tubes that go directly to radiators, baseboard heaters, or beneath floorboards, releasing the heat they gathered in the boiler.
Many people prefer radiant heat because it is quieter and more even, allowing for a comfortable heating experience instead of the feeling of stale heated air coming through vents.

What are the benefits of Hydronic heating over using a furnace?

With hydronics, you can enjoy a more even heating experience. What that means is it's easier to control the temperature zones between each room in your house, controlling how warm it is from one room to the next. You can also use hydronics to heat the sidewalks or driveways around your home, melting snow and ice during the winter instead of having to manually remove it.

Because there are no vents installed with radiant floor heating, you also have the benefit of being able to move your furniture and appliances anywhere without worrying about blocking a vent or causing a fire hazard.

And because radiant heating has residual effects and rises more slowly than air, you will use less of it to heat a comparably sized room, in effect lowering the operating costs of your heating system.

What can I do right now to fix the air quality in my home?

If you're currently considering an air filtration system but want to take action now to avoid any potential illnesses in your family, there are some things you can do.

To start with, remove any pollutants you can control. Tobacco smoke, paint, solvents, and industrial cleaners are all heavy contaminants that are not recommended for indoor use. You can also have the vents and ducts checked and cleaned in your house. Patching leaks in your roof and basement can reduce the impact of water damage and the build-up of mold and mildew as well.

Overall, however, cleanliness and ventilation will have a great impact on the common pollutants that build up in most homes. And finally, there is filtration.
The only real way to be 100% sure that your home is free of unwanted pollutants is to install a filtration system that removes all of the contaminants that float around in your home, including bacteria and viruses.

What health problems could my family face from indoor air pollution?

While the majority of problems related to indoor air pollution are relatively minor, severe issues can develop when ventilation remains poor or the contaminant levels rise too high. Specifically, irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs is very possible as is the flare up of asthma and seasonal allergies, and possibly the development of infections in the sinuses, lungs and throat.

How much of an effect the pollutants in your house have will vary greatly depending on the age and general health of your family. Some people are very resistant to pollutants and may feel fine. However, even if you don't feel the effects of poor air quality, it is taking its toll on your body, forcing nearly every part of you to work harder at sorting out the oxygen needed from the air and getting it to your vital organs.

Which type of air cleaner is best for my home?

The type of air cleaner you use will largely depend on what types of pollutants are found in your home. Most homes will have a decent amount of common allergens like pet dander, dust and mold, but some might also suffer from gasses, exhaust fumes, or smoke from outdoor sources. If testing or observation shows that you suffer from the latter even in a small amount, an electronic air cleaner may be the best solution for your home.

However, if your primary issues are stuffiness and a build-up of dust during the winter and summer when the house is sealed up, a mechanical filter is not only less expensive, it can work incredibly well if it has HEPA certification.

What gasses should I be looking for in my indoor air?

The most worrisome gas you might encounter in your home is carbon monoxide. This colorless and odorless gas can build up due to a leak of exhaust from one of your appliances and can even cause death when ignored. That's why a carbon monoxide detector is so highly recommended. Other gasses, however, can also cause health problems of varying severity if left unchecked.

Nitrogen dioxide is both poisonous and combustible while various solvents and perfumes can frequently cause health issues if proper ventilation is not present when they are used. You may also have pesticides or smoke build up in your home that can cause tremendous issues for those with asthma or common household allergies.

How does the air quality outside affect my house?

Regardless of how well you think you've sealed your home, air will circulate from outside and come indoors. So, if you have a strong source of pollutants near your home, such as a busy highway or an airport, you are more likely to have air quality issues inside your home. The concentrations, however, will be relatively low, which means it is very feasible to control and remove those pollutants with effective air filtration.

How can I heat my house safely or cook when the power is out?

• Never use a gas range or oven for heating. Using a gas range or oven for heating can cause a build up of CO inside your home, cabin, or camper.
• Never use a charcoal grill or a barbecue grill indoors. Using a grill indoors will cause a build up of CO inside your home, cabin, or camper unless you use it inside a vented fireplace.
• Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal — red, gray, black, or white — gives off CO.
• Never use a portable gas camp stove indoors. Using a gas camp stove indoors can cause CO to build up inside your home, cabin, or camper.
• Never use a generator inside your home, basement, or garage or near a window, door, or vent.

How can I avoid CO poisoning from my vehicle?

• Have a mechanic check the exhaust system of my car every year. A small leak in your car's exhaust system can lead to a build up of CO inside the car.
• Never run a car or truck in the garage with the garage door shut. CO can build up quickly while your car or truck is running in a closed garage. Never run your car or truck inside a garage that is attached to a house and always open the door to any garage to let in fresh air when running a car or truck inside the garage.
• If you drive a vehicle with a tailgate, when you open the tailgate, you also need to open vents or windows to make sure air is moving through your car. If only the tailgate is open CO from the exhaust will be pulled into the car.
   

How do I vent my gas appliances properly?

• All gas appliances must be vented so that CO will not build up in your home, cabin, or camper.
• Never burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isn’t vented.
• Have your chimney checked or cleaned every year. Chimneys can be blocked by debris. This can cause CO to build up inside your home or cabin.
• Never patch a vent pipe with tape, gum, or something else. This kind of patch can make CO build up in your home, cabin, or camper.
• Horizontal vent pipes to fuel appliances should not be perfectly level. Indoor vent pipes should go up slightly as they go toward outdoors. This helps prevent CO or other gases from leaking if the joints or pipes aren't fitted tightly.
   

Who is at risk from CO poisoning?

All people and animals are at risk for CO poisoning. Certain groups — unborn babies, infants, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory problems — are more susceptible to its effects. Each year, more than 500 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning, and more than 2,000 commit suicides by intentionally poisoning themselves.

How can I prevent CO poisoning from my home appliances?

• Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
• Do not use portable flameless chemical heaters (catalytic) indoors. Although these heaters don't have a flame, they burn gas and can cause CO to build up inside your home, cabin, or camper.
• If you smell an odor from your gas refrigerator's cooling unit have an expert service it. An odor from the cooling unit of your gas refrigerator can mean you have a defect in the cooling unit. It could also be giving off CO.
• When purchasing gas equipment, buy only equipment carrying the seal of a national testing agency, such as the American Gas Association or Underwriters' Laboratories.
• nstall a battery-operated CO detector in your home and check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall.

How does CO poisoning work?

Red blood cells pick up CO quicker than they pick up oxygen. If there is a lot of CO in the air, the body may replace oxygen in blood with CO. This blocks oxygen from getting into the body, which can damage tissues and result in death.

Who is at risk from CO poisoning?

All people and animals are at risk for CO poisoning. Certain groups — unborn babies, infants, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory problems — are more susceptible to its effects. Each year, more than 500 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning, and more than 2,000 commit suicides by intentionally poisoning themselves.

What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?

The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. High levels of CO ingestion can cause loss of consciousness and death. Unless suspected, CO poisoning can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic other illnesses. People who are sleeping or intoxicated can die from CO poisoning before ever experiencing symptoms.

Where is CO found?

CO is found in combustion fumes, such as those produced by cars and trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, and gas ranges and heating systems. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces. People and animals in these spaces can be poisoned by breathing it.

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death.

What kind of boiler do I need?

Radiant systems can use a variety of boilers according to local code authorities.

Type Of Systems
There are two types of systems, "wet" or "poured" systems, where the PEX tubing is encased in a gypsum or concrete based topping, and "dry" or "staple-up" systems, where the PEX tubing is held against the underside of the subfloor.

• "Wet" or "Poured" Systems - Installation on Top of the Subfloor
• Installation for Ground Floor
• "Dry" or Staple-up Systems
• Floor Coverings

What runs through the pipes?

Water! Most systems are designed to use water, but in some cases glycol is used. Glycol would be chosen if snow melting was being done or for freeze protection.

Do I have to do the complete house?

No! Today many people choose to do the "tough to heat" rooms or areas. Good examples are basements, garages, high ceiling areas, bathrooms and other tile areas. Additionally, this strategy keeps the costs down and still gives you the comfort of radiant heating.

Does it heat up fast?

Radiant floor heating systems heat up and cool down slow resulting in very even heating. Once up to temperature the system will stay within one degree of the thermostats set point.

Can I air condition?

Yes! There are several choices; conventional separate system, ductless mini splits, and high velocity. Essentially you will end up with two systems, an air conditioning system and a heating system. There are cost and performance benefits to all three choices. We favor high velocity because, it uses very small air supplies and a central return. No large grilles, registers and noisy fans!

What happens if a pipe breaks?

In the event that a problem occurs there are repair coupling that is used to repair the damage. Damage is very rare, but when it happens it usually happens during installation. The tubing is still exposed and repairs are made quickly and easily.

How much does it cost?

Costs will vary by job and design. Most of the difference in cost from basic to deluxe is in the control options. A good example would be an eight room two story house, you could have two thermostats, one for each floor or eight thermostats one for each room.

How long will it last?

PEX pipe will last as long as the structure. PEX pipe has been in use for over twenty years in Europe and life cycle testing has demonstrated that PEX can last in excess of seventy years. PEX is an inert material, virtually indestructible by common elements.

What is “crossflow”?

Quality reverse osmosis systems use a process known as crossflow to allow the membrane to continually clean itself. As some of the fluid passes through the membrane the rest continues downstream, sweeping the rejected contaminants away from the membrane and down the drain. This prevents contaminants from backing up against the membrane and clogging it.

How much filtered water can a home RO system produce?

Our RO systems produce up to 50 gallons of purified water per day but can be upgraded to 100 gallons per day if desired (at extra cost). If you opt to upgrade your membrane, you may need to also upgrade the storage tank to gain the benefit of the larger membrane. The actual amount of water produced in your home will depend on your household water pressure. Because reverse osmosis water purification occurs slowly (it is a very fine filter!), a storage tank is used to hold 3 gallons of purified water at all times so pure water is always at your finger tips.

Should I take a supplement to counteract the nutrients that I will no longer get through my water.

No, this is not necessary. You should already be getting all of the nutrients such as essential salts, vitamins, and other trace minerals from the food you eat and the other beverages you drink.

Are all reverse osmosis systems equally effective?

Absolutely not. Like all water filters, the effectiveness of a reverse osmosis system depends greatly on the quality of its components - especially its pre-filter cartridges and the membrane itself. Lower quality pre-filters will suffer from premature membrane fouling, as well as reduced performance, purified water output, and membrane life. TFC membranes are also much more effective than CTA membranes.

Why are reverse osmosis systems always combined with carbon and sediment pre-filters?

The only major category of contaminants that reverse osmosis is not highly effective in removing (organic compounds) is specifically targeted by activated carbon filters. Pre-filters also prevent the reverse osmosis membrane from being fouled or clogged by sediment, chlorine, and other contaminants, thereby enhancing its effectiveness and lifespan.

How often does the reverse osmosis membrane need to be replaced?

With proper maintenance of your sediment and activated carbon pre-filters, your reverse osmosis membrane should last 2-3 years.

Can Reverse Osmosis be used on well water or water from other untreated sources (lake or river)?

Yes, RO is generally an excellent choice for homeowners with well water. However, it is important to note that reverse osmosis does not provide foolproof protection against all microorganisms. You should have your water tested for bacteria, virus, and cyst contamination before relying solely on reverse osmosis. If microbiological contamination is present or suspected, you should combine reverse osmosis with an ultraviolet system for maximum effectiveness and protection against bacteria and viruses. A water softener or whole-house iron filter may also be advisable (depending one the level of relevant contaminants in your well water) to prevent membrane fouling thereby ensuring maximum membrane life and effectiveness.

How does Reverse Osmosis work?

Reverse osmosis uses a membrane that is semi-permeable, allowing pure water to pass through it, while rejecting the contaminants that are too large to pass through the tiny pores in the membrane.

What is Reverse Osmosis?

Reverse osmosis, also known as hyperfiltration, is the finest filtration available today. It is the most common treatment technology used by premium bottled water companies.

How long will a sump pump last?

This always depends on how long they have to run and how much water they pump, but it’s not uncommon for the newer sump pumps to last for at least 5 years with proper maintenance. We always recommend replacing the switch and float every two years.

Where does the water from my home’s sump pump drain too?

It’s important that water from the sump pump is drained away from your home’s foundation and basement walls.15 feet away is usually sufficient so the water drains away from your house and away from your neighbor’s house and property as well.

What kind of electrical circuit is needed for a sump pump?

We use a standard 15-amp, 110-volt, three-pronged grounded electrical outlet for sump pumps, and we always install a ground fault interrupter (GFI) for your family’s safety.

Do you clean or replace the filters in my sump pump?

Sump pumps don’t use filters.They have screens where the water enters the sump pump and these will clog, and we do clean these every time we inspect your sump pump.

Will the sump pump burn up if the outdoor pipe freezes?

Most new sump pumpmotors have thermal protection for motor if the pump becomes plugged. If the motor gets too hot, a relay will shut off power to the sump pump motor.

Why is my sump pump is freezing?

This is a common problem in Denverduring the winter because the lines freeze outside your home and this will shut down the sump pump system. This needs to be repaired right away.

My sump pump won’t stop running.

The float in the sump pumpis usually the problem when a sump pump won’t shut down. Call us and we’ll fix this right away so the pump doesn’t burn up.

Can I use potassium type salts?

Yes, any water softener will work with potassium chloride salts, however some loss of capacity between regenerations can occur. Please consult with your dealer. If your reasoning for using “potassium salt” is for health concerns remember that potassium chloride is also a salt. Consult with your doctor whenever there is a health concern about your water.

Why do I feel slippery when bathing in soft water?

The "slickness" felt after a soft water shower is just the "real" you! Hard water does not easily rinse off the residue from cleaning products. When bathing in softened water, the use of less soap is desirable. Use sufficient water to rinse the skin thoroughly and your skin will feel softer and much smoother than it did with hard water bathing.  

What is a part per million (ppm) or a part per billion (ppb)?

Most of the chemical data that is reported for water is expressed as a concentration:
One-Part-Per-Million can be thought of as one inch in 16 miles or one cent in $10,000.
One-Part-Per-Billion can be thought of as one second of time in 32 years.

It is EXTREMELY MISLEADING to interpret these analogies to minimize the magnitude of the risks. Even miniscule amounts of certain contaminants can poison water. 

What type of salt should I use?

Any type of clean salt can be used. Neri & Russo Services recommends the use of either block or solar salts. These two types of salt seem to be the cleanest and will cause the least problems in the brine tank.

Neri & Russo Services at no time recommends the use of iron cleaner additives or "iron fitting type salts" with the use of its equipment. These cleaners will be harmful to the media in the Sanitizer Series of equipment if used. Please consult with your local dealer or contact us for proper salt usage.

My water doesn’t taste good, yet it tested out O.K. What does this mean?

There are two types of water problems: Primary problems — the dangerous sort of problem and Aesthetic problems — things that affect the taste, look or smell of the water. Strange as it may seem, you could have an aesthetic problem (such as iron or manganese) that will not pose an actual health risk. 

What are the health effects of consuming nitrate?

For most people, consuming small amounts of nitrate is not harmful. Nitrate can cause health problems for infants, especially those six months of age and younger. Nitrate interferes with their blood's ability to transport oxygen. This causes an oxygen deficiency, which results in a dangerous condition called methemoglobinemia, or "blue baby syndrome." The most common symptom of nitrate poisoning is bluish skin coloring, especially around the eyes and mouth. Infants six months of age and younger and pregnant and nursing women should avoid consumption of water high in nitrate. Cattle, horses, sheep, and baby pigs, are also susceptible to nitrate poisoning. 

Why does my drinking water sometimes look cloudy?

Once in a while you get a glass of water, and it looks cloudy; maybe milky is a better term. After a few seconds it miraculously clears up! The cloudiness is due to tiny air bubbles in the water. Like any bubbles, the air rises to the top of the water and goes into the air, clearing up the water. The water in the pipes coming into your house might be under a bit of pressure, and gases (the air), which are dissolved in the pressurized water, will come out as the water flows into your glass, where is under normal atmospheric pressure. 

Where does nitrate come from?

Common sources of nitrogen in the soil are fertilizers, livestock waste, and septic systems. Excess nitrate in the soil is most often found in rural and agricultural areas. 

What is nitrate?

Nitrate is a naturally occurring compound that is formed in the soil when nitrogen and oxygen combine. Small amounts of nitrate are normal, but excess amounts can pollute supplies of groundwater. 

Why does my water smell like rotten eggs?

Hydrogen sulfide gas is a naturally occurring contaminant, which gives water a disagreeable rotten egg odor or taste. This usually indicates the presence of some form of non-harmful mineral reducing bacteria in the well. Testing is very difficult because it is a gas and it comes out of solution very quickly. There are no known health effects; however hydrogen sulfide can also make the water somewhat corrosive.

Why does my water leave blue green stains?

This indicates that the water is corrosive and usually acidic. Acidic water can leach metals from pumps, piping and fixtures. If left alone without treatment it can cause leaks in copper pipes and fixtures. Acidity is measured on a scale of 0-14 with 7 being neutral, less than 7 is acidic and above 7 is basic. 

Why is my dishwasher stained brown?

Brown or black stains found in the dishwasher are usually from high levels of manganese. Manganese that is dissolved in water can stain when the level is above .05mg/l. The dishwasher is a perfect mechanism to oxidize it because it heats it, agitates it and mixes the water with air. Manganese can also stain clothes in the washing machine, due to the same reasons. If bleach is added staining is worse. 

Why do my sinks and fixtures turn yellow?

One of the most common water treatment problems found in well water is iron. Iron can be found in 3 different forms.
Ferrous iron (dissolved) – Although not visible it is the most common type of iron. Later when oxygen is mixed with ferrous iron it stains sinks, toilets and laundry especially when bleach is added. To reduce levels of ferrous iron, softening and or filtration is performed.
Ferric Iron (suspended) – Ferric iron or brown water iron is oxidized and forms particles. Normally these particles can be seen once settled down, the particles can be seen in a glass of water. Sometimes these particles are too small to be seen and very difficult to remove.
Iron bacteria – Iron bacteria is a general term given to iron that can leave a slimy growth or build up in toilet tanks and sometimes clogs filters, softeners and pipes. These bacteria are not harmful, but are considered nuisance bacteria because of their difficulty in removing.

Should I be concerned about sodium in water?

If sodium is a concern to you, your water quality improvement professional can explain the amount of sodium in softened water. This varies, depending on the hardness of the water supply. Any person on a sodium-restricted diet should follow the advice of his physician. All municipal water supplies contain some naturally occurring sodium. If the sodium-restricted diet is very strict, discuss the use of RO, or some other water quality improvement system to reduce the sodium to meet your requirements.

For the sake of comparison, one slice of white bread contains about 114 mg of sodium, and an eight ounce glass of milk contains 120 mg of sodium. If your water contains 10 grain per gallon (GPG), and if you consumed a total of one quart of softened water a day, your intake of additional sodium would be 75 mg - less than either a slice of bread or a glass of milk.

What is softened water?

A water softener replaces the 'hardness' minerals with sodium or potassium. The amounts of these elements added to the water are relatively insignificant in comparison to what is ingested from your food and should not pose a health problem.

Most often, water softeners are regenerated with salt and water. Regeneration is a process by which the softening materials inside the softener can be used over and over again. Once the regeneration is completed, the salt and water solution is flushed into the drain. 

What is water hardness?

Water 'hardness' is caused by the minerals calcium and magnesium in ground and surface water. If either or both minerals are present in your drinking water in high concentrations, the water is considered 'hard.' These minerals come from sedimentary rock such as limestone that dissolves into our water. The result of hard water is difficulty making lather or suds for washing and a build-up of minerals on taps and on other fixtures. Water containing low concentrations of calcium or magnesium is called 'soft' water.

What makes my water hard?

As water passes through the atmosphere in the form of rain, snow, sleet, hail, dew, or fog, it picks up impurities and gases. And, because water is the universal solvent, it picks up even more impurities as it travels through the earth as ground water. What ever the water comes in contact with it will dissolve a part of it. 

How can I tell if I have hard water?

Water hardness is demonstrated by scale in water heaters or on plumbing fixtures, by soap deposits on dishes and fabrics, and by soap scum in sinks and bathtubs.

Hard vs. Soft Water?

Soft water uses less soap and cleaning products, reduces soap scum, reduces spots on dishes and glasses, removes the scale that clogs plumbing and water heaters, increases the life of appliances, dishwashers, and water heaters, softens skin, opens pores and cleans hair better, reduces diaper rash, and improves the taste of boiled foods and vegetables. These sound like some very good reasons to get a water softener in your home.

Check with your Doctor if you have heart or circulatory problems, or you’re on a low sodium diet.

Neri & Russo also installs drinking water systems, you can’t take the quality of your drinking water for granted any longer, and a drinking water system can protect your family from contaminates that are more and more prevalent in our water now. Well water is affected by many different contaminating factors, and municipal water has been found to contain bacteria and viruses along with many other contaminants.

Can water be softened without salt or potassium?

Water softening is the only proven method for softening water. There are other systems that change the physical nature of water for a short period of time but they don’t remove the minerals that cause water to be hard in the first place. Ion exchange (water softening) is the only proven method for softening water.

Is soft water bad for my health?

No. There have been extensive studies done on soft water and there is no scientific evidence to suggest that soft water is a health risk to humans or pets.

Will soft water stop water spots on dishes and glass?

You’ll get far less spots on glasses and other surfaces.There are no calcium and magnesium ions to rinse off of your dishes and shower stalls like when you have hard water. Hard water leaves a lime scale that you won’t get with softened water. The best part of using a water softener is you won’t have to use abrasive cleaners that are hard on all surfaces.

Does hard water contaminate the environment?

Calcium and magnesium, which are found in hard water, are naturally occurring impurities in water and are present in all bodies of water just differing with geography.

Does softened water taste salty?

No. The chloride of the sodium chloride used in water softeners goes down the drain attached to calcium and magnesium ions exchanged for the sodium in the water.

Are water softeners bad for my septic system?

There is no definitive proof that water softeners are bad for septic systems, and the Water Quality Association is still investigating if the chlorides from water softeners are bad for septic systems. We’ve installed quite a few water softeners with no negative effects to the septic systems.

Why does soft water feel slippery?

Water softeners exchange calcium and magnesium for sodium ions and your homes water won’t allow the sticky scum on your skin. The curd or scum forms when calcium and magnesium mix with soap and form a film on your skin.  This is the cloudy stuff you get on your glass shower. The good news is you won’t get any of this with softened water.