Hi, I already tested my well water and know I need a 24,000 grain water softene r, a 1cuft acid neutralizer, and a filter (of course). I can install mysel f (very comfortable with plumbing). Things I know: I want regeneration upo n demand (not by time only), and I don't need a dual tank system as I can l ive with hard water for a regeneration cycle duration.
My question: how do I choose which manufacturer to go with?
All technical opinions and experience appreciated. Thanks Theodore
Hi, Most important is control head. Fleck is good name. You'll have to choose on demand generation capable head.
I've had one of these for about 10 years. Works great and trouble free.
Not on point, but from your last sentence, above: You DO realize that with on demand regeneration, the softener still performs the regeneration at a specific time (I set mine for 2:00AM) making it somewhat unlikely you'll draw much, if any, unsoftened water into your system.
Consumer's Reports? FWIW, I'm not a big fan of Sears but I bought one of their top of the line units probably 15-17 years ago and it's still performing well. YMMV
For the past 20 years we've used Ecowater systems. In our case it is a dual tank as we run 1 million gallons a year through it. Trouble free for many years.
Used to be a guy posting here that sold softeners. He recommended anything that used Fleck valves.
Gary Slusser. I bought a unit from him before he went out of business. I got the Clack valve, they stopped online sales which is part of the reason he finally retired. He was superb at answering all questions via email or phone. I was surprised he still has his website up, a lot of good info there.
In my opinon, the best way to buy a water softener is to contact your local water softener & salt supply company in your area and see what they offer. A professional salt delivery company that's been in business for many years (at least ten) knows what's best, can offer installation if needed and will be able to service the softener when needed.
In my local area, the local company (actually ina nother city) rents me my softener, (could have bought it, but way to expensive) and for a monthly charge keeps it full of salt, does an semi-annual cleaning and will service for free if (and when) it needs it. After five yers they replace with a newer model to keep everything working without problems.
And their is best that money can buy; meaning very expensive. Two to three times more money that I would spent at Sears or Lowe's. (But I will never have any problems with a professional unit. And I will not have to replace it every 5-8 years).
If you intend to do yourself, I would still call a local professional company and see what they off. A cheap softener will not last, and the brands that the locals sell, change by location. Face it, it's just a tank, control, packing and beads. Some beads are better than others, some controls are better than others, etc. You need to see what you have avaliable locally to get the best machine. The opinon they offer will be what they carry, but you can play off one againt the other and see what each says about his unit being better that his competitors.
I would also ask when are they going on sale. Every company has sales to clean out old inventory.
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