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, the salt level monitoring system further comprising an alarm device, 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, wherein the alarm device is further configured to wirelessly transmit the message to a network, and wherein the system further comprises: a computer arranged to receive the message from the network; and/or a gateway or router configured to connect the network to receive and route the message to subscribing devices through a wide area 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. 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, 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, the salt level monitoring system further comprising an alarm device, 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 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, wherein the alarm device is further configured to wirelessly transmit the message to a network, and wherein the system further comprises: a computer arranged to receive the message from the network; and/or a gateway or router configured to connect the network to receive and route the message to subscribing devices through a wide area network, a computer arranged to receive the message from the network; and/or a gateway or router configured to connect the network to receive and route the message to subscribing devices through a wide area 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.