Home Blog

Culligan Water Softener Review: Makes Your Water Taste Better

Culligan Water Softener Review

In this article, we compiled information about popular water softener brands and some of their products that compare to Culligan Water Softener.

Since 1936, Culligan has been a household name, filtering and softening water for generations of homes and businesses. The founder, Emmett Culligan, was a pioneer in the industry.

After 82 years of products and services, the company is still considered the best in its trade. However, as with most commodities, the best comes with a higher price.

Today, we will review a Culligan water softener that we love: the Culligan HE Softener-Cleer® Water Conditioner.

We will also discuss additional services and products the company provides, general information about water softeners and hard water, and competitor comparison information.

What Are Water Softeners?

There are four different types of water softener systems: magnetic, ion exchange (e.g., salt-based), salt-free, and reverse osmosis.

No matter what company you purchase a system from, all types of water softeners have the same goal: to soften the water in your home or business.

The purpose of water softening is to remove the ions that cause hard water. Example of ions (minerals) include magnesium, calcium, and iron.

One way you know if your water is hard is if you see chalky white spots crusted on your sink or other areas where water has dripped. This substance is called “limescale.”

Salt-based Water Softener

A salt-based water softener system (ion exchange) is the most effective. As water flows through the tank, salt (sodium) takes the place of the hard water minerals.

However, due to the sodium content, some people have concerns about drinking water. While the amount of sodium in the water should be fine for a healthy adult, if you need to control your sodium intake, you can install a water purification system.

Ask the water softener company about what works best with the water softener you choose. Culligan has drinking water systems they can install for your household (for an additional cost, of course).

Hard Water Concerns

Hard water can cause damage to your pipes and make some of your appliances work less efficiently. Other problems with hard water include:

  • It has a high amount of calcium and magnesium
  • Detergents and soaps do not dissolve properly
  • The mix of hard water and soap creates soap scum
  • It causes spots on your dishes after a run through the dishwasher
  • Appliances such as washing machines and water heaters become less effective
  • It can cause limescale, which can slow down water flow and clog pipes
  • More soap is needed to lather

Culligan HE Softener-Cleer® Water Conditioner/Culligan Water Softener

The HE Softener-Cleer® Water Conditioner is not only a water softener but also a water filter. It has all the benefits of softening your water with Culligan smart technology and makes your water taste better by reducing a variety of bacteria and other contaminants.

This system is recommended for homes that are problematic; ones that are challenging such as if you have especially hard water, bacteria-laden water, or frequent changes in water quality. It uses smart technology to stay ahead of these concerns. Benefits of this system include:

  • It reduces sulfur-reducing bacteria
  • It reduces iron-reducing bacteria
  • It prevents black spots and rust stains on faucets and other fixtures within your home
  • It reduces odors and any bad taste your water may have
  • It reduces rotten egg smells
  • It can cause limescale, which can slow down water flow and clog pipes
  • More soap is required to lather

Culligan’s HE water softener products are by far the most popular choice and have received recognition from Good Housekeeping and Consumer Digest.

Its HE water softener systems come with great features, especially due to their smart technology. They have a wireless control pad used for monitoring important information such as salt and water usage and an electronic sensor implanted in the resin bed for monitoring when regeneration is needed.

You can also adjust the softness or hardness of your water and receive alerts if the system malfunctions. Additionally, you can choose optional features, such as having the system know automatically when changes in the water necessitate regeneration and pinpointing only the sections of the resin bed that need bringing, saving you money by reducing the amount of salt used.

Most of the company’s HE tanks can also be installed outdoors; however, the HE Softener-Cleer® Water Conditioner cannot.

If you like the smart technology features offered by Culligan but aren’t sure about the HE Softener-Cleer® Water Conditioner, it has several other HE models, including ones for large homes and commercial and municipal properties, which soften and filter water by absorbing chlorine (great for those concerned about sodium).

They also have the Gold Series (dependable) and the Medalist Series (economical).

Product Specifications

This water softener has a storage capacity range of 275 – 600 pounds.

The number of gallons of water conditioned per minute at optimal pressure (psi) is 9 to 10.6 gpm at 11 psi. The amount of hardness removed before regeneration is required ranges greatly, from 17,854gr to 88,549gr.

Moreover, the average water consumption per regeneration range is 54 – 155 gallons and the average regeneration time ranges from 62 to 78 minutes. It is available in four different models: 9-inch, 10-inch, 12-inch, and 14-inch.

Pricing

Culligan is very quiet about its prices. It is hard to find an actual cost online unless you see one in a customer review. The product installed, and features included are customized based on your home needs; therefore, pricing is going to vary from customer to customer.

Anyone interested in purchasing a Culligan water softener is required to contact a Culligan dealer. A representative will schedule a visit to your home, provide a free water test, and review and discuss with you what your home needs.

After the assessment and discussion, they talk with you about the cost of their products and services, and which system works best for your home. While discussing costs, keep in mind, Culligan offers a limited lifetime warranty for their products, unlike many other water softener companies.

However, Culligan offers optional services and features, and the customer provided no details about which system it was or if she purchased anything in addition to the system. Other comments indicated you should expect to spend at least $2,000 initially.

Additional Costs

Repair work is a cost to be considered. Other additional costs are for your convenience, such as its salt delivery service.

While Culligan may be higher-priced than many people are comfortable with, it does offer payment plans. You can also opt to rent their equipment and see how you like its products.

Whatever way you decide, ensure that you purchase your system and products from a reputable dealer. Many customer complaints are primarily about the lack of information and response from a representative, which has nothing to do with the actual Culligan equipment.

Unfortunately, the company’s name gets tarnished by unskilled representatives and dealers with poor organization and customer service.

Installation and Repair

If you are a “do it yourself” person, then Culligan might not be at the top of your list. Customers complain that the patented technology and hard-to-find parts make repairs difficult. Culligan’s recommendation is to get a professional to install and repair their equipment.

You should consider professional installation costs and the cost of repairs when you are deliberating on buying a Culligan water softener system. If you speak with a representative, clarify labor costs and any associated fees before making your purchase so you can figure it into your budget.

How Do Competitors Compare to Culligan?

To give you some perspective on what to expect when shopping for water softeners, we compiled information about popular water softener brands and some of their products that compare to Culligan.

Kinetico

Kinetico was established in 1970 and is known globally, providing its products and services to over 100 countries. The company works in the same way Culligan does.

If you are interested in its products, you contact the nearest Kinetico dealer, and they will schedule an “expert” to assess your water and your home. It also provides a free water test. Kinetico offers a 10-year warranty on parts and tanks. Like Culligan, it is not “do it yourself” friendly, and doing so would compromise the warranty.

You may appreciate that its water softeners do not increase the electric bill because they are non-electric.

Pros

Cons

  • Designed for the reduction of taste, odor and aesthetic chlorine during the prefiltration stage
  • None so far 

Fleck

When shopping for water softeners, you cannot miss the name Fleck.

It is a popular brand, has been around for over 40 years, and is known for pioneering the regulation of water softening regeneration. Many of its water softeners have a 5-year warranty. Most of its systems are generally lower-priced than Culligan’s.

However, unlike Culligan, they do not come with professional assistance if something goes wrong with the system; at least, they will not be in your home assisting you.

Nevertheless, they are available over the phone 24/7 and through messaging online via the customer service portal.

Pros

Cons

  • Reduces salt and water wastage with intelligent regeneration
  • Heavy system

General Electric

General Electric is a familiar brand that every homeowner knows by heart and probably has owned some appliance produced by a well-established conglomerate.

GE offers a variety of water softeners, including ones with filters and smart technology. Some of its models include a setup service to assist you with installing its products.

If it does not include one, then you would need to use the GE hotline to call for a water softener installer. 

It offers a limited 1-year labor and parts warranty on the water softener system, a limited 10-year parts warranty for the brine/resin tank, and a limited 3-year parts warranty for the electronic monitor.

Pros

Cons

  • Easy controls are found on it, thus it is easy to handle for all
  • Comparing all the systems, this one handles less grains at a time

Pros and Cons Culligan Water Softener

Pros

When it comes to quality and service, you get what you pay for, and Culligan is at the top of the list. It has a customer service focus and a customizable model that stands out from the other brands. As with anything, when you have more in-depth service, technology, and options, you can expect to pay more.

The Culligan HE Softener-Cleer® Water Conditioner we are reviewing today has many pros to consider. First, it is both a water softener and filter. While other softeners claim to save you money, salt, water, and electricity consumption, most of them do not claim savings of up to 46% as Culligan does. However, Kinetico softeners can compete a little better, since they are non-electric.

Many companies offer smart technology options and panels for easy use. Culligan takes its smart technology further by offering optional features, such as the remote that allows auto adjustment in response to changes in the water.

Cons

The pros outweigh the cons; however, the cons are big enough concerns not to be ignored. The upfront costs of Culligan can make anyone hesitate, especially when there is no concrete price.

Pros

  • The Culligan Connect™ links your phone to the Culligan HE Water Softener data
  • You can adjust the softness/hardness of water
  • An outdoor model is available
  • Boasts patented smart technology
  • Diagnostics and water levels were sent to Culligan
  • The initial cost of the system
  • Ongoing costs of maintenance
  • Not “do it yourself” friendly, unlike many other brands

Conclusion

While some brands offer multifunctional products, you may not find one that softens and filters water as thoroughly as Culligan. Many brands focus on a few specific minerals or bacteria, whereas Culligan filters it all. “Do it yourself” individuals may have a hard time owning a Culligan. However, having professionals on hand who will assist you as needed and having a lifetime warranty are good reasons to consider a Culligan.

After reviewing the efficiency, quality, and functionality of the Culligan HE Softener-Cleer® Water Conditioner, we give it an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. We considered customers who complained about Culligan representatives and some product issues, but the primary complaints are not about Culligan water softeners.

Culligan may or may not be right for you, but ensuring you have good, clean water is always important. You can at least take advantage of the free water test and see what the company has to offer. Be careful about making impulse decisions and the trappings of upselling. A good company will give you time to think about important choices.

The Best RV Water Softener to Have for Camping

An RV with one of the best rv water softener systemson a road in fron of mountains

As summer approaches, your thoughts turn to heading out down the open road in your RV, and all the adventures that await. Unfortunately, many areas of the country are plagued with hard water that can corrode the pipes in your RV, dry out your skin, and leave unsightly water spots on your dishes and windows. What is the solution? An RV water softener will remove heavy metals from the water supply and make your water taste better, smell better, and not leave water spots.   With all the products available on the market today, choosing the best RV water softener can be daunting. Never fear, we have taken the guesswork out of selecting the best RV water softener by reviewing the top products available today. Read on to discover our choice for the best RV water softener.      

Product FAQ

1. What Is an RV Water Softener?

An RV water softener is a system that removes magnesium, calcium, iron, lead, radium, and other heavy metals found in well and municipal water. They are compact and portable to fit in the confined space of an RV.

2. How Does an RV Water Softener Work?

Most RV water softeners work using a highly charged resin to remove metals from the water. After a period of time, the resin needs to be recharged. Common table salt is used to recharge the resin.

3. Where Can I Buy an RV Water Softener?

We have provided links to the RV water softeners reviewed in this article. Click on the link to purchase the product. All of the RV water softeners reviewed in this article are available to purchase from Amazon.com.

How We Reviewed

The products in this list were reviewed based on the following parameters: Features, Pros & Cons, Capacity, Where to Buy, and Warranty. 

What We Reviewed

  • On The Go OTG4-DBLSOFT Portable RV Water Softener
  • ABCwaters Portable Water Softener
  • Mobile Soft Water Portable Unit
  • Watts Water Flow Pur RV-Pro Water Softener
  • On The Go OTG4-STDSoft Portable RV Water Softener
  • Mobile Soft Water Portable Softener for RV
  • Triple Action Poly Salt-Free Water Softener
  • ABCwaters Compact Fleck 5600sxt Water Softener
  • On The Go OTG3NTP3M Portable Water Softener

On The Go OTG4-DBLSOFT Portable RV Water Softener

Features

The On the Go Double Standard Softener and Conditioner produces twice the water of a standard model; it is the largest compact RV water softener on the market. This 16,000-grain unit supplies approximately 40% more soft water than other units on the market. It regenerates with two boxes of table salt in less than 30 minutes. It provides up to 1,600 gallons or 40 days of soft water. It has a compact, space-saving design that allows it to be installed in the tightest spaces. It offers high flow rates with low pressure drop. It features an easy carry handle on top, a large opening for easy salt addition, high-grade premium resin, a 360-degree swivel to connect the inlet hose easily, and a cap and plug to prevent leakage.

Pros

  • Easy carry handle on top
  • Space saving design fits in tight spaces
  • High-grade premium resin

Cons

  • Hose fittings are plastic and break easily
  • No mounting bracket available
  • Large footprint

Capacity

This tank will provide up to 1,600 gallons on a recharge.

Warranty

This product carries a one-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.

ABCwaters Portable Water Softener

Features

The ABCwaters portable water softener is ideal for use in an RV and will eliminate hard water while on the road. The unit is also ideal for washing cars and boats. Regeneration is easy and can be completed in minutes with a table or rock salt. The unit will provide up to 2,000 gallons of soft water between regenerations, making this one of the most efficient models on the market today. The 10″ x 18″ tank is easy to handle and store. It features a handle for carrying.

Pros

  • Great for washing cars and boats
  • Regeneration takes minutes
  • Tank has a handle for easy transport

Cons

  • Intake/output nozzles installed incorrectly
  • Unit is heavy
  • Must unscrew intake nozzle to recharge

Capacity

This unit will provide up to 2,000 gallons on a recharge.

Warranty

This product carries a five-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.

Mobile Soft Water Portable Unit

Features

The Mobile Soft Water Portable Softener removes calcium, magnesium, iron, lead, radium, and other heavy metals from well and municipal water. The unit regenerates without electricity. The tank is loaded with 1/2 cubic foot of highly charged high capacity water softening resin. The unit can treat up to five gallons per minute for up to 1,600 gallons of conditioned water between recharges. The unit has a 9″ fiberglass-reinforced plastic tank with nylon hose connections made with NSF (National Sanitary Foundation) listed materials for safe drinking water.

Pros

  • Unit regenerates without electricity
  • Conditions up to 1,600 gallons between recharges
  • Nylon hose connections contain no lead

Cons

  • Nylon fittings fail
  • Does not include all necessary fittings
  • Can not be stored outside

Capacity

This unit will provide up to 1,600 gallons between recharges.

Warranty

This product carries a one-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.  

Watts Water Flow Pur RV-Pro Water Softener

Features

Pur’s portable water softener is the most user-friendly RV water softener on the market today. This versatile softener is compact and portable and it will preserve the life of all appliances. The unit will eliminate hard water stains by removing calcium, magnesium, and trace amounts of iron from the water. The unit features a built-in drain line flow restrictor to provide a more effective regeneration that increases the capacity by up to 55%. The custom designed flow valves allow you to regenerate the unit without having to disconnect the system. The full cradle base keeps the tank more secure than competing open base tanks. The unit provides high flow rates up to 4 gallons per minute with low pressure drop. It uses common table salt for regeneration.

Pros

  • Built-in drain line flow restrictor increases capacity up to 55%
  • Regenerate without disconnecting the system
  • Uses common table salt for regeneration

Cons

  • Does not include back flush adapter
  • Instructions are vague
  • Valves leak

Capacity

This unit will provide up to 80 gallons on a recharge.

Warranty

This product carries a one-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.  

On The Go OTG4-STDSoft-Portable RV Water Softener

Features

The On The Go Standard Softener features an easy carry handle, a large mouth opening for easy salt addition, quick regeneration, easy hookup and a lightweight design. The unit prevents hard water and rust stains, avoids scale build-up, improves water taste and odor, increases the lifespan of appliances, improves dry skin and increases soap lather. The unit regenerates with one box of common table salt in less than 15 minutes. It will provide soft water for up to 20 days. It is compact and can be installed in tight spaces. It allows high flow rates with low pressure drop. The unit can be installed without tools or electricity.

Pros

  • Regenerates in under 15 minutes
  • Installs without tools or electricity
  • Provides soft water up to 20 days

Cons

  • Ships with low resin supply
  • Lots of work to set up
  • Plastic fittings are weak

Capacity

This unit will provide soft water for up to 20 days.

Warranty

This product carries a one-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.

Mobile Soft Water Portable Softener Shorty for RV

Features

The Mobile Soft Water Portable Water Softener Shorty is ideal for tight spaces, short trips, and many other uses. The unit removes calcium, magnesium, iron, lead, radium, and other heavy metals from well and municipal water. The unit regenerates without electricity. The unit features garden hose in/out connections and is loaded with 0.1 cubic foot of charged high capacity water softening resin. It will treat up to five gallons of water per minute, up to 320 gallons between recharges. The tank is a 6″ diameter fiberglass-reinforced plastic. The inlet and outlet are made of lead-free nylon.

Pros

  • Regenerates without electricity
  • Loaded with 0.1 cubic foot of resin
  • Garden hose in/out connections

Cons

  • Very small capacity
  • Nylon connectors will crack over time

Capacity

This unit will provide up to 320 gallons of soft water before needing a recharge.

Warranty

This product carries a one-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.

Triple Action Poly Salt-Free Water Softener

Features

The Triple Action Poly Salt-Free Water Softener provides true salt-free hard water treatment. One advantage of this water softener is that there are no costly cartridges to replace like in citric filters. The softener uses a catalytic/electro-mechanical process that does not require back washing brine or electricity. The unit has a high flow rate of 30 gallons per minute. It includes a stainless steel inner screen, polyphosphate, and installation nipples. It has been tested and endorsed by the Isreal Institute of Chemistry/Technology.

Pros

  • Softens water with a catalytic/electro-mechanical process
  • Requires no back washing brine or electricity
  • Flow rate of 30 gallons per minute

Cons

  • Conditions water, doesn’t soften water
  • Requires refill kits
  • Does not reduce stains or scaling

Capacity

This unit has a high flow rate of 30 gallons per minute.

Warranty

This product carries a five-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.  

ABCwaters Compact Fleck 5600sxt Water Softener

Features

The ABCwaters TC Water Softening System is a complete turnkey compact water softener system. Unlike other portable water softeners, there’s no need for manual regeneration. The Fleck 5600sxt digital time clock valve automatically controls the unit. The high capacity resin is the highest quality in the industry. The unit includes an installation kit that includes silicone lube, a hardness test strip, a sanitizer packet, brine and drain lines, a small parts kit, and an install guide. The unit arrives with a pre-loaded mineral tank and a pre-programmed digital valve to save time and mess.

Pros

  • Does not require manual regeneration
  • High-quality resin
  • Includes installation kit

Cons

  • Does not include turbine water flow meter
  • Unit ships with parts missing
  • Water connection too large for most RVs

Capacity

This unit will provide up to 1,100 gallons of water before requiring regeneration

Warranty

This product carries a 10-year warranty on the mineral tank and a one-year warranty on the brine tank from the manufacturer.

On The Go OTG3NTP3M Portable Water Softener

Features

The On The Go Portable Water softener features a large mouth opening for easy salt addition, speedy regeneration, an easy-to-carry handle, easy hookup, and a lightweight design. The unit prevents rust and hard water stains, avoids scale build-up, improves water taste and smell, and increases the lifespan of appliances. This portable unit can be installed in a small space without the use of tools or electricity.

Pros

  • Regenerates quickly
  • Easy carry handle
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Arrives with damaged parts
  • Only effective at low flow volumes
  • Underfilled with resin

Capacity

This unit will provide up to 250 gallons of softened water before requiring a recharge.

Warranty

This product carries a one-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.

The Verdict

Based on our research we believe the best RV water softener is the Mobile Soft Water Portable System. It comes loaded with a 1/2 cubic foot of resin and will soften up to 1,600 gallons of water before it requires a recharge. The tank is made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic for durability. Whether you are traveling in your RV or looking for a way to reduce water spots when washing your vehicles, you will not be disappointed with the Mobile Soft Water Portable System.

Water Softener Maintenance 101: Everything You Need to Know

Water coming from a kitchen sink that has been cared for with proper water softener maintenance

Your water softener was a big investment, and you’re already enjoying the benefits of soft water on your skin and hair. You’re probably also enjoying the cost savings in cleaning products and in the increased lifespan of your appliances and plumbing. Now you need to learn about water softener maintenance and what steps you need to take to keep your water softener in prime condition.  

Water Softener Basics

In order to understand the reasons for the steps we’ll outline for your water softener maintenance, you first need to understand how your water softener works.

Hard and Soft Water

Most municipal water sources and private wells that supply water to homes, provide water that is rich in minerals. This is referred to as “hard” water. The minerals in the water tend to harden in pipes and on whatever surfaces the water touches, including your dishes and your skin and hair.

The mineral deposits are not harmful, but they can have harmful effects. In pipes, the mineral buildup can occlude the pipe over time, reducing water flow. If you have hard water, you can see the buildup in your tub, shower and sink. This buildup is often called lime scale and is difficult to remove without using harsh chemicals.

On your dishes and any surfaces you clean with water, you will see spotting, and in pots and pans and kettles you will see a whitish buildup of calcium or lime over time. This can reduce the efficiency of your small appliances like electric kettles or coffee makers.

How It Works

A water softener pumps tap water though a tank of tiny resin beads that attract the minerals out of the water and trap them. The water then continues into your house without the minerals.

The water softener also has a tank of brine water—water that is filled with dissolved salt. The salt water is pumped into the resin tank at regular intervals in a process called regeneration. The dissolved salt in the brine water pulls the minerals out of the resin beads, returning them to their original state. The brine water, now also full of minerals, gets discharged into a drain.

Now the resin beads are clean and ready to absorb more of the minerals from the incoming water.

Water Softener Maintenance

For the most part, water softeners are simple to maintain. A water softener can last for many years with just a few simple maintenance steps.

Salt

You need to check the salt level in the brine tank at least once per month. The tank should be filled about half way to two thirds of the way with salt. The salt level should be about 3 inches above the water level.

There are three types of salt you can buy

  • Rock salt
  • Solar salt
  • Evaporated salt

Rock salt is the least expensive but contains impurities that might necessitate more frequent cleaning of the tank, increasing your water softener maintenance duties, and also might reduce the softener’s efficiency.

Solar salt is solar-evaporated sea water and is much purer than simple rock salt. The most expensive and efficient of the three is the evaporated salt which is 99.99% sodium chloride.

Water softener salt also come in three different forms

  • Granular
  • Pellet
  • Block

Your water softener maintenance manual will tell you which form to use. When possible use a pellet salt because it minimizes issues that can occur with granular salt.

Salt Troubleshooting

The first indicator that you might get that you need to pay attention to your water softener maintenance will probably be harder water coming out of your tap.

The first step you want to take is to check on your salt level. Add salt if needed.

Sometimes the salt can crystalize into a “salt bridge” that prevents the salt that accumulates above the bridge from dissolving into the water below. Take a broom handle and gently probe the salt to make sure that there is no hardened layer in the tank.

Another problem can occur at the bottom of the brine tank, where the brine can coagulate into a sludge that prevents the water from circulating properly through the resin tank. This is calledsalt mushing, and the only solution is to drain the tank, dig out the old salt and begin with a fresh bag of salt.

Using a good quality pellet salt can help avoid these two maintenance issues and keep your softener running properly.

Maintaining the Brine Tank

An older model water softener brine tank should be cleaned out annually. If you have a newer model, you only have to clean the tank every 5 to 10 years unless you are having a problem or your water is continuing to be too hard.

Create a schedule for your tank cleaning. Since this is a water softener maintenance task that you don’t need to do very often, you might want to post your proposed cleaning dates on a sticker on the tank itself to remind you.

To clean the tank, you first need to empty it. Find the bypass valve and shut off the water intake into the tank. Siphon or pour the water out of the tank and dig out the old salt to throw away. If you see bridges or other recrystallized salt, use very hot water to dissolve it. Don’t dispose of this salty water in your garden. The salt will damage your plants.

Remove the brine grid from the bottom of the tank if your tank has one. You will need to clean this separately. Scrub the inside of the tank with soapy water. You can use a brush. Rinse thoroughly.

Although most microbes cannot live in the briny water, to ensure the purity of your water you’ll want to include a bleach rinse in your water softener maintenance routine. Use ¼ cup of bleach in 2 to 3 gallons of water. Stir the mixture around in the tank and let it sit for about 15 minutes before you pour it out.

Rinse your tank thoroughly again and replace the brine grid in the bottom of the tank. Then refill the tank with water and salt as usual. Let the tank sit for a few hours after cleaning to allow the salt to dissolve into the water before regenerating.

Additional Upkeep Tips

Cleaning the Resin Tank

The resin pellets are continually recharged by the brine, but it’s a good idea to pass a water softener cleaner through the system every few months. Follow the directions on the product label or the instructions in your water softener maintenance manual.

This is an especially important step for maintenance if your water has a high iron content. If this is the case you can also look into purchasing an attachment that automatically adds a bit of cleaner to each regeneration cycle.

Exercising the Valves

There are intake and outflow valves in your system. Exercising them is simply the process of closing and opening them as a part of your routine water softener maintenance. This will prevent any kind of buildup that may limit the functioning of the valves. It will also give you the opportunity to see if the valves are leaking. You can check your valves every few months.

Cleaning the Venturi Valve and Nozzle

The most important valve to maintain is the venture valve between the brine tank and the resin tank. This valve and nozzle are what create the suction to pull water from the brine tank into the resin. Your water softener maintenance manual will have specific instructions for how to dismantle, clean and reassemble these parts.

This probably sounds more intimidating than it actually is. Remove the cover of the valve; no tools are necessary. Then clean the parts in soapy water before replacing them.

Troubleshooting

Check Simplest Issues First

If the water coming out of the taps in your home is too hard, make sure you have followed the water softener maintenance tips outlined here. Start checking the simplest issues first. Is the power connected properly? Sometimes power outages can change the regeneration schedule in the computer. Reset the clock.

Consider Usage

Has your family significantly increased its water usage? Maybe you need to add salt more often, especially in summer when you are washing the car or watering the lawn.

Check Valves

Is the intake valve open? Maybe your unit got bumped and the water is not flowing into the brine tank. Check to be sure.

Check Salt

If simpler issues don’t solve the problem, then use the steps we’ve outlined here to make sure your salt is in good shape. Call a plumber for any significant issues you can’t solve for yourself or if you’re uncomfortable doing maintenance on your own.  

Conclusion

Water softener maintenance is simple and straightforward. If you take the simple steps outlined here your water softener will serve you and your family for decades. 

GE Water Softener for Your Home – A Full Review

running water

This GE water softener review is going to look into General Electric’s product line for homes. We considered four products here. Although they are all very similar, each has its own advantages. The applications are slightly different, as are the resource requirements.

After our reviews, we will also look at what water softeners do. If you are new to the softener market, or even if you have purchased one of these units for your home in the past, it might be a good idea to review the explanations to get familiar with the topics and terminology we use here in our roundup of GE softeners.

A Word About Grains

Even if you don’t know anything else about water softeners before you make your purchase, you should know about grain measurements. This is the scale used to determine the power of a water-softening unit. If you get a machine with higher grains, that means that you’ll be able to process more water before the system needs to refresh.

Household Water Usage

The grain specification is the most important technical information to know about any prospective unit, but it’s just as important to match it against your household grain usage. To obtain this personalized figure, multiply the number of people in your house by the number of gallons of water that each person uses each day. Check your meter if you need to know your water consumption. Otherwise, you could make a reasonable estimate using the national average: around 80 gallons per person per month.

Mineral Content

After you have the total water usage for your home, multiply the result by the grain content of your water. You can probably easily obtain the grain content of your water by contacting your local water authority, or else you could measure it yourself with a home test kit — if your kit delivers a reading in parts per million, simply divide the figure by 17.1 to get your grains per gallon amount. Multiplying the number of people in your house by the average usage per person and the grain content per gallon gives you the total grain rating. That number is the size of the water softener you probably need for your house..

GE Water Softener Products

General Electric was founded by Thomas Edison. Since the late 1800s, the company has maintained its momentum of innovation and product development by offering quality designs on various types of electric products.

It’s a highly diversified company, designing everything from light bulbs to washing machines. While it is not always the best in the business at everything, its softeners do live up to the company’s good reputation.

Overall Category Review

These products scored well from reviews on the company’s website and also from third-party retailers’ sites. In fact, the only common complaints are that the product gets damaged during shipping.

From an objective point of view, most people who have functional problems with the unit seem to be using their device in an area with very hard or high-iron water. That means that, if the softener you choose is designed to work for your water mineral profile, you should enjoy many years of reliable function with a GE product.

In general, customers liked the efficiency and smooth operations of these softeners. They also appreciated how easy the installation instructions were to understand. Read on for a more in-depth analysis of the currently popular models.

[6 products]

45,100-Grain Water Softener

Product Specifications

  • 45,100-grain capacity
  • 230-pound salt storage maximum
  • Fits water connections up to a 1.25-inch size
  • 5,120 efficiency rating
  • Treats water up to 160 GPG and 12 PPM iron
  • Self-programming water control
  • Salt level indicators and reminder
  • Easier on plumbing with automatic sediment filter cleaning
  • Valve for water softness control
  • Salt- and water-saving enhancements

GE’s larger consumer water softeners are great for big families. They also provide some wiggle room if you’re worried about exceeding your capacity during high-volume periods. It might pay to get a larger unit if you like to take baths, if you frequently host guests, or if you’re expecting to expand your family.

Pros

Pros

  • Large enough to handle many household applications
  • Inexpensive for this size of a unit
  • Plenty of convenient upgrades

Cons

Cons

  • Designed for city water, not as effective for well water
  • High-iron contents might exceed the capacity of this unit

40,000-Grain Water Softener

Product Specifications

  • 40,000-grain capacity
  • 230-pound salt storage maximum
  • Fits water connections up to a 1.25-inch size
  • 5,100 efficiency rating
  • Treats water up to 125 GPG and 10 PPM iron
  • Self-programming usage learning
  • Salt refill alerts
  • Self-cleaning sediment collection
  • Blending valve to allow softness control
  • Salt- and water-saving enhancements

If you have a 4-person family and you’ve calculated the total grain content of your water, you’ve probably come up with a figure of about 35,000. Unless you plan on altering your consumption habits, you’ll want to overshoot your average monthly grain. That makes this unit the best choice out of the GE line for most families. It bears mentioning that other brands have cheaper units that come closer to the national averages. However, if your household uses lots of water, or if you live in an area with high mineral content in the supply lines, this unit might be an ideal choice.

Pros

Pros

  • Big enough for many families
  • Simple softening solution for an entire home
  • Compatible with many GE enhancements and appliances

Cons

Cons

  • May not work well with high-iron water

31,100-Grain Water Softener and Filter in One

Product Specifications

  • 31,100-grain capacity
  • 230-pound salt storage maximum
  • GE blending valve for soft water control
  • Adaptable to standard plumbing connections up to 1.25-inch sizes
  • 4,230 efficiency rating
  • Treats water up to 120 GPG and 3 PPM iron
  • Self-programming automatic functions and salt refill alerts
  • In-line filtration to reduce chlorine taste and smell

This medium-to-low capacity fixture is one of the more interesting units in the GE water softener line. It has a dual filtration and softening function, hence the higher price. Of course, if you live in an area with heavily chlorinated water, you will probably install a filter anyway.

Pros

Pros

  • In-line filter saves money and space
  • Recent water and salt efficiency upgrades over older models

Cons

Cons

  • More expensive than single-purpose water softeners

30,000-Grain Water Softener

Product Specifications

  • 30,000-grain capacity
  • 200-pound salt storage maximum
  • Fits connections up to a 1-inch size
  • 5,100 efficiency rating
  • Treats water up to 95 GPG and 7 PPM iron
  • Self-programming usage learning and salt refill alerts

This option is the smallest water softener from GE that we’re reviewing. It could work well for water-hungry couples or a very efficient family of four. It’s not the smallest softener on the market, so it probably won’t be the first choice for many.

However, it is perfect for some special applications. For example, this might be exactly what you’re looking for if you have a big family and need a dedicated water softener for your laundry.

Pros

Pros

  • Lower price and size make it a good choice for a dedicated laundry softener
  • Same premium perks as larger units

Cons

Cons

  • Probably not big enough for an entire home

What Is the Difference Between Hard and Soft Water?

One of the first questions people have on the subject of water softeners is what exactly softer or hard water is.

These terms refer to the mineral content. While they’re not scientific definitions, hard water usually refers to a water source that is plentiful in magnesium, calcium or iron ions. These ionic substances can cause a number of problems, including scale build-up on household appliances, increased plumbing costs and even frizzy hair. Soft water is water that has been treated, replacing the other mineral particles with sodium ions.

What Does a Water Softener Do?

A water softener uses salt to treat hard water. Doing so adds a little bit of sodium to the water content. Some people have started investigating whether or not this has health ramifications.

Generally speaking, you might want to avoid water softening if you have a high sensitivity to sodium. However, there are ways to install these plumbing fixtures, so they do not affect your drinking water supply, such as between your supply line and your laundry appliances.

You can also drink filtered water if you do not want to control the water at the source.

What’s the Point of Water Softeners?

The point of water softeners is that they extend the life of appliances and make it more comfortable to shower. They can also lead to cleaner clothes in some instances, and almost always allow you to use less soap and water doing the laundry. There are many benefits, so the ones that are most important to you would depend on the type of hard water you have and your own usage patterns.

Who Needs a Water Softener?

In some places, such as in cities with high calcium and magnesium levels in the tap water, it makes more sense to install a water softener than it does for you to clean out clogged appliances constantly.

Certain home amenities, such as coffee machines, are extremely susceptible to hard water. Sometimes mineral buildup after consistent exposure to hard water gets so extreme that you have to use harsh chemicals to clean your device or the appliance is completely irretrievable.

Options with Higher Capacity and Specialty Applications

The GE appliances we reviewed here are all geared towards an average- to medium-sized family. If your family has extremely high water usage, or if you have more than five or six people in your household, then you might need a larger water softener. If this sounds like it applies to you, you might want to check out some of the larger Pelican Water units discussed a little later in this review.

Why You Might Need This

Keeping a lot of water treated for a big family isn’t the only reason you might need to have some serious water softening capacity installed. For example, if you ran a small coffee shop, you might require one of these devices to reduce expensive specialist calls and reduce regular maintenance costs for your brewing equipment. Similarly, a multi-family building might be better served by one large water softener at the source than multiple machines for each unit.

Commercial Softeners for Higher Volume

If it turns out that the tank water softeners do not have the capacity you need, then you might investigate a commercial unit. These are often measured by GPM rather than a monthly total capacity.

These are most common in industrial applications, but you might want to install one for a multi-unit apartment building or for heavy commercial use. However, even a relatively large coffee shop might still use a tank unit efficiently rather than a major industrial piece of equipment.

Competitors for GE Water Softener

GE is far from the only player in this market. In fact, several brands focus exclusively on water treatment solutions. Some of these specialty brands are more expensive, but they tend to come with special functions that the everyday GE units don’t have.

Here are two of the most popular brands in the industry.

Waterboss Softeners

Product Specifications

  • Name: Waterboss
  • Ease of use: 4/5 stars
  • Assembly time: Professional installation recommended
  • Build quality: 3.5/5 stars
  • Warranty: 5/5 stars

Waterboss is probably GE’s biggest competitor in the water softener market. Its products have high ratings for both quality and value. While GE offers a number of perks, not the least of which is a higher overall quality, it’s tough to compete with the accessible prices and reliability of the Waterboss brand.

Pelican Water Softeners

Product Specifications

  • Name: Pelican Water
  • Ease of use: 4/5 stars
  • Assembly time: Professional installation recommended
  • Build quality: 5/5 stars
  • Warranty: 5/5 stars

Pelican Water makes water softeners that go above and beyond, in more ways than one. These units will probably be outside your budget, and they’ll probably far exceed your requirements if you live in an average-sized household. Even if they aren’t the cheapest, these are probably some of the best water softeners that you can get in terms of capacity and manufacturing quality.

Conclusion: GE Water Softener

To sum up, your best choice for average use and average-sized households is probably the 40,200-grain water softener from GE, if you decide to go with this brand. You’d be in good company: there are plenty of good reviews for that product online.

Waterboss is also a nice option, but you sacrifice some of the functionality of GE for the lower price of Waterboss. All in all, it seems like you get what you pay for when you buy from this current line of GE products.

Best Water Purifier: 10 Best Products on The Market

Best Water Purifier

Looking for a great water purifier? Look no further than our collection!

Product FAQ

What kind of water pitcher is right for me?

It depends on your needs. You need to take into consideration the types of impurities that you wish to remove from your water, and choose your system based on that. For instance, most any filtration system will remove chlorine, but not all of them will alkalize the water. What’s important for you? You should also consider the size of water pitcher you need.

Are all filters the same?

No. There’s a reason why there is such price discrepancy in water pitchers and filters. Some of them have additional features and will do more than others. For instance, removing fluoride from water is pretty difficult, which means only the most expensive filters are able to do it. Removing lead from water is much easier, so filters with this capability are available at a lower price point.

How We Chose the Best Water Purifier

We decided to select a wide array of water pitchers to meet a diverse suite of needs. Some of these selections are high-end and heavy-duty water purifiers, and others are meant to be affordable and remove the most basic and common contaminants. No matter what kind of water purifier you need, we have a great one here for you.

The Cost of a Water Purifier

The cost of water purifiers varies depending on how powerful of a purifier you want. Plus, the amount of time between required filter changes will also contribute to the ongoing cost. Generally, the cost of the actual filters vary widely.

Where to Buy a Water Purifier

Water purifiers are available at most home good stores or large box stores with a home department, such as Walmart or Target. All of the water purifiers listed here are available through Amazon. Keep in mind that the more commonly-available brands, such as Brita, will appear more often as compared to more specialized names.

Choose the Best Water Purifier with Confidence: Our Picks

These are our top 10 picks for water purifiers in 2018. We’re confident you’ll find an option here that works for you and your family.

The 10 Best Water Purifiers of 2019

If you’re looking for the 10 best water purifiers of 2019, look no further! We have searched the water purifier world far and wide and come up with these as the best. We think any of these options would fit in a space in your home and provide safe, delicious water for you and your family. It only depends on how much you are willing to pay and what sorts of features and filtration you desire.

The ZeroWater filter system has been taking the water purifier market by storm, and considering its top-rated effectiveness, it’s not hard to see why. It’s marketed as the only water purifier pitcher able to remove both chromium and lead from water, and considering how toxic those chemicals are, that’s an impressive capability.

A nice feature of the ZeroWater filter is that it includes a spout at the bottom. This means you don’t have to lift the pitcher when it’s full to pour it. This option is great for elderly family members, children, and the differently-abled who may not be able to pour a full pitcher easily.

The ZeroWater system also comes with a Total Dissolved Solids meter so that you can check how clean your water is and feel confident when drinking the water.

Pros

Pros

  • Excellent filtration system
  • Spout at the bottom of the pitcher
  • 5-stage filter

Cons

Cons

  • Expensive replacement filters

Seychelle pH2O Water Filter Pitcher

The Seychelle pH2O Water Filter Pitcher has been exhaustively perfected for the last 20 years to provide the best-filtered water at a price consumers can afford. Designed to remove everything from lead to mercury to fluoride and more all while maintaining healthy minerals, this filter should last at least 200 gallons of use before it needs to be replaced and provides eight cups of water per pitcher.

Made in the United States, Seychelle ensures that every pitcher is manufactured to the highest standards so that it meets the highest water quality standards. After all, the company is known for being “the most trusted name in portable water filtration” for two decades, and that means something. The filter is even capable of removing the nastiest chemicals from your water to make it safe to drink and enhances the pH up to 9.5 with ease to make any drink taste better. Just make sure the filter stays above the water line.    

And because of a special offer, you could save even more money if you buy more than one. So purchase one or more for your friends and loved ones today.

Pros

Pros

  • Great tasting quality water
  • Best alkaline filter pitcher on the market

Cons

Cons

  • A little more expensive

If the price of the pH RESTORE is a bit off-putting, then you might want to set your sights on the Lake Industries Alkaline Pitcher. While tests indicate that the Lake Industries pitcher is not as good at alkalizing the water as the pH RESTORE, it does do an effective job. Some may find the slight decrease in alkalizing capability is a fair trade-off for the price swap.

The filters for this pitcher last for about 40 gallons apiece, which equals about 2 months of productive filtering, assuming average rates of use. This makes the Lake Industries filters respectable in terms of how long they can last, considering many companies make their money by selling cheap pitchers with expensive filters. Filters that last longer can end up saving you money.

Pros

Pros

  • One of the best alkalizing pitchers on the market
  • Relatively long-lasting filters
  • Great value for performance

Cons

Cons

  • Not as good at alkalizing as some of the more expensive options

If you’re looking for a great pitcher on a budget, then you definitely want to take a look at the Nakii Pitcher. Brita has long held the monopoly on low-priced, effective water pitcher filters, but the Nakii Pitcher is a new contender worth considering.

The Nakii Pitcher also gets major points for being attractive, as it comes with a wooden handle. This gives it a touch of class that many all-plastic models lack. The main negative to the Nakii Pitcher is that at 7.5 cups, it has a smaller capacity than many other pitcher models. But if you’re short on space or have a smaller-than-average refrigerator, this could end up being a positive.

Even more amazingly, the Nakii Pitcher’s filters are approved for up to an incredible 150 gallons worth of use, which is almost three times as much as a normal filter can handle before needing to be changed. The Nakii Pitcher is small, but it’s powerful, affordable, and attractive.

Pros

Pros

  • Attractive design
  • Filters last an extremely long time
  • Very affordable

Cons

Cons

  • Does not alkalize the water
  • Smaller capacity

If what you want is power and performance, then look no further than the Aquagear. This pitcher is the most expensive option on our list, but if you really want contaminants taken out from your water, the Aquagear will do it with few problems. Plus, like the Nakii Pitcher, the filters for the Aquagear can last up to 150 gallons. Compared with most other filters, this means less money spent on replacements.

The Aquagear will basically take anything considered controversial out of your water. It can even filter out fluoride, which is very difficult for a basic water pitcher to do.

Pros

Pros

  • Extremely effective filter
  • Filters last an extremely long time

Cons

Cons

  • Very expensive

A list of excellent water pitcher filtration systems isn’t complete without the Brita name in the mix. Brita filters are very well-known for being effective and available at an attractive price point. It’s not the most elegant nor the most powerful filter that you can buy, but it’s effective, affordable, and will easily remove contaminants such as chlorine from your water.

It also has a very-respectable 10 cup size, making the Brita Everyday the best choice for a large pitcher at a low price.

Pros

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Effective

Cons

Cons

  • Not the most powerful filter on the market

Yes, Brita makes the list twice. The Brita Slim packs all the advantages that the Brita Everyday does, only that the Brita Slim is even cheaper and smaller. It has a small 5-cup capacity, but if you’re living alone or you don’t mind filling it up frequently, then this will give you a very effective filtration system for about the cheapest price on the market. For example, this is a good option for students living in dorms with small refrigerators.

Keep in mind that Brita pitchers can also work with more expensive filters if desired. If you’re looking for a cheap pitcher, it’s not a bad idea to buy the Brita Slim and choose a higher-tier filter if you like.

Pros

Pros

  • Extremely affordable
  • Very small

Cons

Cons

  • Very small

This charming little pitcher gets great reviews on Amazon, and it’s no surprise why. It’s affordable, sleek, and does a great job at filtering water. It even has a little timer on the side so you know when you need to change your filter. The filters themselves last for around 2 months of regular use, which is similar to other filters mentioned in this review.

The LeDoux has a moderate effect on pH. The water purifier does claim to alkalize water, but the difference isn’t as substantial as other options. It has a 4-step filtration system that gets rid of most of the nasty substances that may be in unpurified water.

Pros

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Large capacity
  • Reliable, long-lasting filters

Cons

Cons

  • Negligible effect on pH

PUR 18 Cup Dispenser

PUR 18 Cup Dispenser

If you want to have filtered water for a big crowd, this is a great choice. As the name implies, the PUR 18 Cup Dispenser can hold 18 cups of water, which should help keep even the thirstiest crowds at your home hydrated. It’s not as easy to fill as the other options due to its size, but if you have a large household you need a large water dispenser. This one is exceptionally affordable considering how large it is.

Pros

Pros

  • Very large
  • Very affordable for size

Cons

Cons

  • Difficult to fill to full capacity

Are you looking for an attractive and effective water filter pitcher? Then you’re looking for the Soma Sustainable. Not only does the Soma do a great job at absorbing nasties like chlorine, it’s also one of the most attractive water pitchers on the market. If you’re concerned about class, the Soma Sustainable is a great choice to make.

Pros

Pros

  • Gorgeous design
  • Carbon activated filter is very effective

Cons

Cons

  • Filters are comparatively expensive

Comparison Chart

ProductCapacityPrice

ZeroWater

a href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0073PZ6O0?tag=softwaterlb06-20″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener nofollow” style=”color:#C626C6; font-size: 20px;”>ZeroWater

10 cupsMid-range

pH Restore

pH Restore

12 cupsHigh

Lake Industries Alkaline Pitcher

Lake Industries Alkaline Pitcher

10 cupsMid-range

Nakii Pitcher

Nakii Pitcher

7.5 cupsLow

Aquagear

Aquagear

8 cupsHigh

Brita Everyday

Brita Everyday

10 cupsLow

Brita Slim

Brita Slim

5 cupsVery Low

LeDoux Waters

LeDoux Waters

10 cupsVery Low
PUR 18 Cup DispenserPUR 18 Cup Dispenser18 cupsMid-range

Soma Sustainable

Soma Sustainable

10 cupsMid-range

Final Thoughts on the Best Water Purifier

Choosing the best water purifier for you and your family can be tricky. You need to take a good hard look at exactly what you want your water purifier to do. For example, we really love the Aquagear for how powerful it is and how incredibly clean it can get your water, but it’s very expensive to buy and maintain.

We find ourselves gravitating toward the Nakii Pitcher as a preference for smaller households. It provides great-tasting water at a very low price, and the filters last quite a while. The main downside is how small it is, but if you have a smaller refrigerator you may find this more of a positive.

For families with kids, we love the fact that the ZeroWater pitcher has a spout at the bottom for easy water dispensing. Many kids will have a difficult time pouring a full water pitcher, and the spout makes it easy to access the water and encourages hydration among the little ones.