Water Softener Install: which side of pressure tank?

[GaryS]

I will be installing a water softener and I have a well.
Question 1) should I install the softener BEFORE the pressure tank or AFTER . I'm trying to debate the answer in my head but I find pros and cons for each method. The well pump is rated at 10gpm I think... and the pressure tank has a 40/60 switch. Also, my dilemna is pipe size. From the well it is 1" but coming off of the pressure tank it is 3/4". I could probably change that so that is question 2) which is better? 3/4" or 1" coming into the softener. From other posts on this forum, I believe 1" would be better. Thanks in advance for any replies.

[Gary Slusser]

You never install anything that can block up (and softeners have the potential to do so) between a pump and its pressure switch or controller. Doing so can cause serious and expensive pump, plumbing and water damage problems. Plus the softener wouldn't have water when the pump wasn't running if there is a check valve on the inlet to the pressure tank.

Match the size of the plumbing you have after the pressure tank unless it's 1/2".

Gary
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Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2

[GaryS]

For my own information... is there any benefit in coming into the softener with 1" and then reducing back down to 3/4 . Will I get a flow and/or pressure benefit?

[Gary Slusser]

Doing so won't harm anything but it's not needed. Your 3/4" won't reduce pressure, it simply won't deliver the volume of 1" but the correctly sized softener doesn't need more flow nor can it use it. All softeners are flow controlled during regeneration. There's no sense in buying larger dia copper and its fittings when 3/4" delivers all the water the softener needs. If you're using plastic, then the increased cost is unimportant and if you were to use CPVC, go with 1" instead of 3/4". Use the same ID with PVC or PEX.

Gary
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Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2

[GaryS]

Thanks for the info. And in fact it will be CPVC so I will plan to go with 1". Next question is more of pipe related... I want to get the outside hose bibs onto the hard water... I have the chance to branch them off of the 1" line. So what is the side effect of reducing 1" to 1/2" to the hose bib? More pressure? Sounds like that would be nice when watering the lawn....
(the 1/2" line already exists and is more than 20 feet away from the branch point... and that branch will either be 3/4 or 1" as stated above)

[Gary Slusser]

The static (no water moving) pressure is the same in any ID tubing while the dynamic pressure will be slightly less in the smaller ID tubing. Slightly as in unmeasureable in the 20' line. But you can run 3/4" the 20' to keep the 'pressure' up until it hits the 1/2". And if you think about feeding a 1/2" line and outside faucet with anything larger... where does the additional water go? It's kinda like facing upwind in a 50 mph gale and expecting to get more air through your nostrils and open mouth than if you faced downwind. ;)

Gary
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Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2

[GaryS]

Good analogy :) I understand that the amount (flow) of water won't go up... but I failed to mention that I have 2+ acres to water (until I get an irrigation system)... so am I correct in assuming that the pressure would be higher feeding a 1/2 line and faucet with 1" pipe? Then when I turn the sprinkler on, it would shoot out further therefore covering more distance... but same water usage.

[Gary Slusser]

No, the pressure is the same regardless of the diameter of the pipe. The larger the pipe the more water at the same pressure. And if you want to water, you don't want to use softened water for that. It can/will kill vegetation and run your salt bill sky high softening all that water. And that will cause your softener to be quite large.

Gary
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Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2