Water Softener Buying Tips
Hi there! If you’re a fan of Jackie Chan then you must have seen at least one of his “Rush Hour” movies. It was in these films that he was paired with a loquacious and comical actor named Chris Tucker. And after the movie franchise became a hit, Tucker also made it big in Hollywood. He is so notorious for his talkative demeanor that he can’t afford not to comment on anything, even to the topic of clean water:
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“I couldn’t imagine not having clean water…”
Indeed, he is 100% correct. In fact, ALL of us need to must have access to the clean water all the time. But the thing is our water supply can’t provide us clean water always. That’s why we need to have our tap water treated by installing a whole house water softener at home.
Yet, choosing the right water softener system to buy and use is something to be thought carefully as this will involve spending a big amount of money (at least, most of the time). Therefore, you need to seriously consider your options to ensure that your investment will be well worth-it.
So stick around as we are going to share our expert advice on buying water softeners.
KNOWING THE BASICS WILL REALLY HELP YOU IN MAKING THE RIGHT DECISION
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The problem with hard water should not be taken lightly. In fact, you continue to use untreated tap water at home, you may end up ballooning your monthly expenses without realizing it (not to mention, the smell of rotten eggs in your shower). Okay, maybe you can splurge a bit on moisturizing creams and clothes from time to time. But if you seem to spend more on these just because you always have dry skin or your clothes ages quickly, then you may have to solve the problem from the root cause and that is through the water that you’re using…
And so here are some of the basic things you need to know so you’ll be able to buy the ideal water softener system for your home:
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Know how hard the water is – Hard water is everywhere, but the level of hardness differs from place to place. In short, your tap’s hardness level might be the same as with your neighbor’s (given that you have both the same supply) but not necessarily the same as with your cousin’s house who is located at the other side of the state. Therefore, it is crucial to test out the water hardness first as this will help you determine which softening device to install. You can check out this section for more information on the 2 methods of testing water hardness.
Budget –Of course, your budget is also a primary consideration when it comes to purchasing water softeners. Given the fact that most devices are quite expensive, you have to think hard how much you are willing to spend initially without ripping your pocket.
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The type of device you are willing to use – We now know that there are different types of water softeners. So it’s up to you to decide which one will be beneficial for you and your family. Whether personal taste or health considerations will also come into play, it’s still important that you’ll end up with the right type of device that will truly meet your water softening needs.
THE BRANDS OF WATER SOFTENER SYSTEM IS ALSO A FACTOR IN THE SELECTION PROCESS…
We can’t stress enough how water softener brands also affect your choice. So here’s a preview of some of the best brands of water softeners in the market today in no particular order (and check out our featured tables to compare these brands):
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Fleck – This brand is known for introducing the use of control valves in water softeners. Fleck is a consistent performer in the industry as their softening units are always reliable in producing soft water. Hence, they are often hailed as one of the best.
(Below is an info video on one of Fleck most popular water softener models, the 5600SXT…)
Morton
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Although the brand is more recognized for manufacturing water softener salts, Morton also creates softening units under their System Saver brand. This actually makes sense since both of their products will go hand-in-hand in getting rid of your hard water problems.
Kinetico
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This brand is known to revolutionize the way hard water is being treated through their Countercurrent technology. In this process, the regeneration stage of the softening device is omitted to prolong the lifespan of the resin beads.
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Culligan – A leading manufacturer of water softener since 1936, Culligan’s name is synonymous to high quality regardless if you are going to buy an average unit or a luxurious model. They also offer this Total Home Solutions product line which not only softens the water but also gets rid of the germs as well.
Fleck
Quality:
Features:
Popularity:
Price: Reasonable
Morton
Quality:
Features:
Popularity:
Price: Affordable
Kinetico
Quality:
Features:
Popularity:
Price: Pricey
Culligan
Quality:
Features:
Popularity:
Price: Pricey
Aqua-Pure
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This brand operates under the CUNO Inc. company which manufacture filters and purification units. It was then acquired by the adhesive giant, 3M company. Aqua-pure is also a top contender in being the best brand of water softeners for many years now.
Rainsoft
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They are known to produce top quality water softeners with lots of impressive features, but most clients often complain about the price of their devices because they belong in the high end range.
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GE – General Electric may not ring a bell when it comes to softening devices, but they actually make reasonably-priced water softeners. The main feature in their water softener system is the SmartWater tech which regulates the energy and salt consumption for a more efficient use.
Kenmore
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And lastly, this brand is also frequently mentioned to be “one of the best” when it comes to water softening. They are ideal for average income families since they softening units are also reasonably-priced.
Aqua-Pure
Quality:
Features:
Popularity:
Price: Reasonable-Pricey
Rainsoft
Quality:
Features:
Popularity:
Price: Pricey
GE
Quality:
Features:
Popularity:
Price: Affordable
Kenmore
Quality:
Features:
Popularity:
Price: Affordable
(Please check out our water softener reviews to have an in-depth look on these brands…)
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS…
Now that we have tackled the important details of buying water softeners, allow us to share few more tips that we think will help you more in your decision-making process:
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Installation cost – Most water softeners require expert installation. Meaning, you’ll have to allot some money to have it fixed by a plumber or expert. So think over this matter and see if you are willing to spend on the installation. Or better yet, learn how to do it yourself for free if you’re capable of doing it.
Size – Is the size of the device you have chosen good enough to eliminate all your hard water problems? Will it fit in the area where you are planning to install it? Or do you have to spend more money just to make space?
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Features – Is the water softener system user-friendly? Is it easy to use? Is it maintenance-free? These are just some of the questions you have to bear in mind in order to get the ideal unit for treating hard water.