Water softener selection
#1
01-24-10, 02:50 PM
Water softener selection
Need some advice in selecting a Water softener. I had my water tested and its hardness is 14 grains with no iron or other issues. I met with Culligan, Pelican, GE Avantpure, WaterMax . I also looked at systems with a Fleck 7000 and a Autotrol 268/760. Each vendor is recommending a 48,000 grain system. The main players want around $1,900 for theirs and the generic want about $1,400. This includes install and initial salt.
I want a highly efficient system, so far the GE seems to be the best and uses soft water in the regen process. My question are:
1. What makes one system more efficient then the next? I assumed the resin and tank design.
2. If I went with a generic system should I be looking at a certain model tanks? Everyone seems to talk about the values, but I am unable to find out recommend brine tanks or delivery tanks.
3. Is using soft water in the regen process a plus?
Thanks is advance.
I want a highly efficient system, so far the GE seems to be the best and uses soft water in the regen process. My question are:
1. What makes one system more efficient then the next? I assumed the resin and tank design.
2. If I went with a generic system should I be looking at a certain model tanks? Everyone seems to talk about the values, but I am unable to find out recommend brine tanks or delivery tanks.
3. Is using soft water in the regen process a plus?
Thanks is advance.
#2
01-25-10, 07:51 PM
Originally Posted by dansav
Need some advice in selecting a Water softener. I had my water tested and its hardness is 14 grains with no iron or other issues. I met with Culligan, Pelican, GE Avantpure, WaterMax . I also looked at systems with a Fleck 7000 and a Autotrol 268/760. Each vendor is recommending a 48,000 grain system. The main players want around $1,900 for theirs and the generic want about $1,400. This includes install and initial salt.
I want a highly efficient system, so far the GE seems to be the best and uses soft water in the regen process. My question are:
1. What makes one system more efficient then the next? I assumed the resin and tank design.
2. If I went with a generic system should I be looking at a certain model tanks? Everyone seems to talk about the values, but I am unable to find out recommend brine tanks or delivery tanks.
3. Is using soft water in the regen process a plus?
Thanks is advance.
I want a highly efficient system, so far the GE seems to be the best and uses soft water in the regen process. My question are:
1. What makes one system more efficient then the next? I assumed the resin and tank design.
2. If I went with a generic system should I be looking at a certain model tanks? Everyone seems to talk about the values, but I am unable to find out recommend brine tanks or delivery tanks.
3. Is using soft water in the regen process a plus?
Thanks is advance.
A system is efficient based on how much hardness you can remove with the least amount of salt used. Having a counter current regen is more efficient than a co-current.
Tank size is depend on the amount of resin used. Common sizes are 9x48 (1 cf), 10x54 (1.5 cf) 12x48 (2 cf). As for the brine tanks, I see the least trouble with the round tanks. 18x33 or 18x40 are common sizes for them.
That is a trick many salesmen use to sell their product. The unit (single tank) can not clean it's self with soft water. What they truely mean is that the unit fills the brine tank with soft water. That water is then is used to "regen" the unit.
#3
01-27-10, 03:10 PM
Thanks for the info. I am leaning towards going with a Clack WS1 upflow for $1,400. This price includes install and salt. I live in NJ and was just wondering if that is a good price since I see these systems selling on the Internet for around $800.
