Short answer
For most East Valley homes: 1–3 people need a 32,000 grain softener, 3–5 people need 48,000 grain, and 5–8 people need 64,000 grain. Go a size up if you live where the water is harder, like east Mesa or Apache Junction.
What does “grain” size mean?
A softener’s size is how many grains of hardness it can remove before it needs to clean itself, which is called regenerating. A bigger softener goes longer between regenerations and uses salt more efficiently.
The quick way to size it
Multiply three numbers:
- People in your home
- About 75 gallons, the water one person uses in a day
- Your water hardness in grains per gallon (find it on your city’s water report)
That gives the grains your softener removes each day. Times 7 is a week. Pick a softener that can handle about a week before regenerating.
An example
A family of 4 in Gilbert, where water is about 13 grains: 4 × 75 × 13 = 3,900 grains a day, or about 27,300 a week. A 32,000 grain unit would be cutting it close, so a 48,000 grain softener is the better fit.
The same family in east Mesa, at about 20 grains: 4 × 75 × 20 = 6,000 a day, or 42,000 a week. That’s still a 48,000 grain softener, but a big family there should step up to 64,000.
What happens if it’s too small?
It regenerates too often, wastes salt and water, and can let hard water slip through between cycles. Too big is less of a problem, but it costs more up front than you need.
Our sizes and prices
- 32,000 grain, 1–3 people: $1,750
- 48,000 grain, 3–5 people: $1,850
- 64,000 grain, 5–8 people: $1,950
Common questions
Is a bigger water softener better?
Up to a point. A bigger softener regenerates less often and uses salt more efficiently, but going far beyond what your household needs just costs more.
How do I find my water hardness?
Check your city’s annual water quality report, or pick your city in our water report tool. East Valley cities range from about 8 to 23 grains per gallon.