Les Ward
Hi Julie, a whole house water softener which uses salt is probably the best option but likely to be the most expensive. If you buy this type of water softener with an incorporated flow meter so that it only regenerates using the salt when necessary this will provide the best running cost and minimise environmental impact from the discharged brine. These softeners cost around £600 plus fitting. Salt tablets cost around £9.00 per 25kg bag, which may last two or more months depending on your water usage. These softeners will abolish limescale from your system, over time if there is an existing build up and give you soft water where soap and detergents lather easily - so you can use less of these. An inline filter just for your shower will reduce limescale but not give you soft water. There are also electrical devices that use very little power and wrap around the incoming water mains and reduce the tendency of the lime in the water to form scale. These are maintenance free with no ongoing costs other than the electricity they consume. They may help your shower problem
