Remote water softener monitoring system

A salt level monitoring system for a water softener tank, the system comprising:

• a monitoring device arranged to be attached to the water softener tank to provide salt level sensing, the monitoring device including:
• a salt level sensor configured to sense a salt level in the water softener tank, the salt level sensor configured to provide a signal when the salt level falls below a predetermined threshold when such a condition occurs;
• a first processor or other logic element configured to receive the signal, and upon receiving the signal indicating the salt level falling below the predetermined threshold, prepare a message indicating an alert with respect to the salt level being low;
• and
• a first communications device arranged to wirelessly transmit the message,
• an alarm device configured to wirelessly transmit the message to a network, the alarm device comprising:
• a second communications device arranged to wirelessly receive the message;
• a second processor or other logic element arranged to process the received message;
• and
• a display for displaying information to the user,
• a computer arranged to receive the message from the network;
• wherein the monitoring device communicates with the alarm device using a first communications protocol having a first power efficiency, wherein the alarm device communicates with the network using a second communications protocol having a second power efficiency, and wherein the first power efficiency is greater than the second power efficiency.