Water softeners: any experts here?

[Chevy454]

Our new house is on well water, and all the limestone in this area means hard water, and it's killing our hot water heater, dishwasher, etc...

Reading online, there doesn't seem to be a lot of love for the box store units (GE @ Home Depot, Whirlpool @ Lowe's, Sears, etc)...anyone have a recommendation here? We're in the boonies, in a small town, so the advice of "pick up a phone book and call a couple of local water treatment experts" doesn't apply. We have plumbers, but they all say "buy it and I'll install it"... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[deuce-less]

there are hot water heaters that are designed with mineral resistent elements.... that being said, one effective method on the water heaters is purchasing a two element water heater and using the top element in the water heater only, that way any mineral build up doesn't reach the top element. you can also daisy chain two waater heaters together using the first with only a top element as a fire wall so to speak. we have a softner set-up on our well, but feeding that device pellets is a never ending chore. i understand there are some better designed softners now that dont require salt or any other kind of pellets, we also tried an in-line filtration system http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[396L35]

Rob we have the same problem here and there is a company in town that specializes with purification of hard water name Schaefer Water Center. You can contact them or click the link below to find someone near you that can help you out. Missouri Water Systems (http://www.manta.com/mb_45_B63E77NT_26/water_purification_equipment/missouri) But I would recommend a reverse osmosis water treatment system that will distill your water and you just change out a filter once in a while. Its a neat setup and the water will have a zero conductivity and no impurities. My two cents, Mark

[Smokey]

Mark has alot of good stuff there. We used to use soft water for work, but it was not pure enough for what we use and end up using alot more products to make it work great.

There are a few other things you can look for...like the RO system..or DI water. Simple way is to throw on like a carbon filter, then call Culligan to get a set of their tanks that they switch out after X amount of hours. We do this and our local shop charges us $30 or $35 a month.

Otherwise if you want to buy something there this... http://purerinse.com/ We looked into this and bought one of their small units. Jim and his guys can help you out.

[BUIZILLA]

search > KINETICO

a friend has a franchise in middle Fla

LOTS of well customers around them parts......

i'm SURE this is what you need

if you need a phone number let me know, or search for vendors near you

I have a Culligan system and have had it for over 20 years in the same house

wouldn't trade it fer nuttin'

[Chevy454]

[ QUOTE ]
Originally posted by: BUIZILLA:

search > KINETICO

a friend has a franchise in middle Fla

LOTS of well customers around them parts......


[/ QUOTE ]
I tracked down a water treatment place down in Mountain Home, AR (about 80+ miles south) and they carry the KINETICO system...only thing that stood out was that the Lowes/HomeDepot/Sears/etc. units were running $400-$900, and the Kinetico piece was quoted to me at $2495! Quite the difference... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

[BUIZILLA]

get the Culligan iron filter and water softener combo then
rent if you can, all repairs and maintenance is free then
has a cool digital timer
bulletproof
my first system lasted me 18 years without a hiccup
buy your own salt at WalMart, Costco or BJ's

[1railman]

I am in limestone country and knock on wood my water heater is 22 years old and still has its original elements. I have a reverse osmosis. Unit is basically maintenance free, although I have had to dump brine(?)tank every 3 to 5 years. Mine was installed by a small independant company and would suggest the same if you have local one with good reputation. I had bad experience with high pressure sales from Rainsoft.

[Vern B]

Rob

I've got a Kinetico system and love it. We had Culligan before and it was good, but I spent half my life hauling salt. Unlike the Culligan system which regenerates itself every 24 hours normally, the Kinetico system regenerates itself as needed, so salt consumption is normally less. If you go on vacation for two weeks the Culligan system keeps regenerating and using salt, unless you shut it down...................then you have to reprogram it. The Kinetico system does'nt regenerate if you do'nt use it. Also, it does not use electricity. For us salt was the big cost and the savings is dramatic with the Kinetico.

One other thing, normally if you have a well, you have a septic system and normally all that salt is routed into
your septic.................not good!!

$ 2495 sounds high. I'd try to get a couple more Kinetico quotes if possible.

[Charley Lillard]

I have a GE and it works fine. I think I got it at Home Depot.

[Lynn]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Charley Lillard</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a GE and it works fine. I think I got it at Home Depot. </div></div>

Charley: Are you on well water? Is your system the GE Merlin? If not,which system?