The first appliance the water softener protects is the hot water heater, an average cost for a hot water heater is $1,800 not to mention you may end up with a cold shower. Have no water softener with the water as hard as it is in San Antonio you will need to drain your hot water heater twice a year.
First let’s clarify the salt in the brine tank is used when a water softener goes through regeneration. Regeneration if the unit has been sized properly for the family living in the house it should go through regeneration about once every seven to ten days.