I live part time in Palm Springs. I seem to feel there is a difference in the water there when I shower, in particular, the way it makes my hair feel. It is just not quite right. I am told it is because the water there is what they refer to as "hard" and that I can correct this by getting a water softener for my hot water heater. I have no idea what my friends refer to when they tell me this, can anyone shed any light on this, and just how complicated it might be to make this adjustment to the water heater. Please note that thisis a very small water heater, in a very compact area in a mobile home trailer park.

Water softner and water heater are totally different and separate appliances. The softner is usually a brine tank and a cylinder that looks like a gas tank 4' tall, some are all in one too. The heater just heats the water, the softner changes to chemical makeup of the water and softens it. You don't want to use soft water for your garden or for drinking so you might ask a plumber to give you and estimate to install a softner manifold. You can buy the unit at most home centers or have a pro do it for you. You can be in the $1000 ballpark.

Hey Homeowner... I have another idea for you to try:

This is a water softner shower head... filters only last six months.. but I have been hearing great things about them.

Aquasana makes them.. here is one site you can check out now.. but go to aquasanas site for best prices (and order xtra filters IF you order)

http://www.aquadoc.com/aquasana.htm

Then just have to change the shower head over and should be good to go.. I hope! Let us know what you think.. Mark

To add to Bobs advice. If you called a local water softener company ,such as Culligans, you would get a small outside unit that would get serviced on a regular basis. At the same time, if running soft water to your toilet disturbs you, you could call in a plumber and have him disconect the toilet from the soft water system and run a cold water line direct to the toilet under the subfloor without too much trouble. Good luck, Tom PS. Sorry Massplumber, We've been posting on top of each other. I really likie the shower head attachment. T.

Now you guys got me searching for the shower head too. Thanks Bob