Quick take
Check the brine tank monthly until you learn the household pattern. Keep salt above the minimum needed for regeneration without overfilling the tank for long periods.
What drives salt consumption
Higher hardness, more water use and frequent regeneration consume more salt. An oversized or poorly programmed system can also waste salt.
Why metered softeners help
Demand-initiated regeneration uses actual water consumption instead of regenerating on a fixed timer.
Salt bridging
A hard crust can form above an empty space in the brine tank, making the tank look full while the softener cannot draw salt properly.
Track consumption
If salt use suddenly changes, inspect settings, leaks, water use and brine-tank function before assuming the resin is bad.