Best Water Softener for Well Water and Whole House
Do you know your water hardness value? Whether your taps run on city or well water, knowing how much calcium and magnesium is dissolved in your water is the first step to buying an efficient water softener.
Our water softener discussions lead us to discover models for different water hardness levels as well as those that can be used for the whole house and others destined to help deal with iron. For those who are on well water, you are most likely to have an iron problem as it seeps into well water from the earth’s surface. You will have to include iron filtration in the water softener you pick.
After knowing the water hardness in your home, the next step should be knowing your home’s water consumption so that you can properly size the water softener. We’ll be telling you recommendations for each of the brands we’ve chosen.
Here’s a detailed look at water softeners for the home and well water filtration systems.
Best Water Softener for Well Water and Whole House
1. Iron Pro 2 Combination Water Softener and Iron Filter- Top Choice for Well Water
Household chores are annoying enough without bringing in the challenge of hard water. Why not save yourself from the trouble by investing in an ideal water softener for your needs. From making laundry washing easier to never having to deal with rusty pipes and stained walls, Iron Pro 2 got your back.
Made for your Water Needs
This water softener will fulfill most people’s needs as it deals with a water hardness of up to 75 grains per gallon. That is pretty hard but not only that, it will also deal with iron up to 8ppm and manganese up to 6ppm. As you can see, if your water is from the well and no other pollutants are present, this water softener is an easy choice.
With a 64,000-grain capacity, households with five people, three bathrooms, and average water needs will benefit from Iron Pro 2. It maintains a decent flow rate of 16 gallons per minute, meaning you can run different appliances at the same time without going short on soft water.
We like that it uses fine mesh resin that does not only last long, but it will filter iron much better. You can say goodbye to the staining in walls that comes as a result of having iron in your water. It is the right type if you plan on selling your house as it helps keep your plumbing in excellent condition.
Installation and Regeneration
This system comes with a high-quality tank that has a 10-year warranty along with the Fleck 5600SXT Digital Control Head, and a 1-inch bypass valve. Installation is a straightforward DIY process for those with a bit of plumbing knowledge. Iron Pro is there to support you through phone or email if you don’t want to involve a professional.
Perhaps the most exciting feature is the Fleck-based regeneration process. The system softens water on demand. It is significant in prolonging the resin and saving on your electricity expenses. You can expect the resin to last six years which of course will depend on water usage. It’s a cost-effective system that puts to mind any future expenses.
Final Thoughts
Most people will find Iron Pro 2 an effective water softener for well water. It has a high grain capacity and can soften hard water with high amounts of dissolved calcium and magnesium. This water softener is not without its flaws, but it beats other brands on functionality and long-term reliability.
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2. Fleck 64000-grain Water Softener- Great if Iron is not a Problem
Fleck is a popular name in the water softeners market. Known for its digital metered valve, this brand continues to produce the most reliable water softeners you could buy for the money. Today we look at their favorite model the Fleck 64K Water Softener.
Whole House Water Needs
Fleck 64K Water Softener works much like Iron Pro 2 only that it does not only remove high levels of iron and manganese. But it deals with just about every other water hardness ion including calcium and magnesium. It comes with larger tanks measuring approx. 18” D x 33” H for the round slat tank. It can hold an impressive 300 pounds of pelleted salt instead of the usual 250 pounds.
This model has an 8% crosslink resin. It is standard and is pre-charged with sodium. As we said it not for high iron levels and will take care of up to 3.5ppm iron. The good thing with this resin is that it can last up to 7 years with well water and 15 years with municipal water.
Ideal Household Use
For households of up to six members with common water needs, you are in luck because Fleck 64K can supply you with soft water at a rate of 16 gallons per minute. Whether you want to run the dishwasher and laundry machine at the same time, you will never run out of soft water.
Installation and Regeneration
The 5600SXT metered digital valve is at the center of the regeneration process. This water softener is designed to keep up with demanding water needs. It will work harder to regenerate when you have lots of water chores, and it will slow down the regeneration when you have fewer requirements. The result is being free from a racked-up energy bill, and it will be long before you ever need to replace your resin.
Unlike other systems that have a turbine style head, this one uses the paddle-wheel style that is less prone to leaks. It is not the easiest to install, and if you have never installed one, it may take a whole weekend to get it going. The brine tank has the float assembly plus a bypass valve and a 1-inch bypass valve.
The yoke allows you to attach a pipe to your softener while the bypass valve comes in handy to allow for a threaded fitting and divert water around the softener. It saves you on maintenance as you can work on the softener without interrupting water flow to your home.
You will get exclusive service from Fleck which is another advantage of choosing this brand.
Final Thoughts
Fleck 64K Water Softener is one of its kind with all the required features for a high-quality system. It will rid of dissolved minerals that make your water hard and improve the taste and its effect on pipes, machines, appliances, and on your body and hair. Our only wish is that Fleck could use fine mesh resin.
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3. ABCwaters Triple Combo Water Softener System and 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Filter- A High-End System for Heavy-Duty Purposes
ABCwaters Triple Combo does not only give you water softening capabilities, but it also has filtering capabilities. You get a high-grain water softener, a 5-stage reverse osmosis filter, and an up-flow carbon filter.
A Well-Rounded System
With the help of the 5600SXT digital metered valve, ABCwaters is also an on-demand water softener. It comes with 10% resin that can soften hard water up to 75gpg and will last longer than 8% crosslink resin. This model is designed to ease your mind as it can maintain 12gpm water flow rate, ideal for a family of five.
It is a 48,000-grain water softener that will cover a whole house with two bathrooms, one laundry machine, and a dishwasher. You can depend on it to remove iron to a higher degree than 8% resin.
Coupled with the water softener, is a 5-stage reverse osmosis system. It is suitable for polluted well water as it can remove all sorts of dissolved metals like lead and mercury. It is also suitable for arsenic meaning it can deal with sulfur odors. Not to mention chromium, fluorides, and organic impurities that may find their way into your well water.
With the up-flow carbon filter, you can expect it to pull bad tastes; making your water taste better and smell better. And if you are going to install it on tap water, it’s going to deal with excess chlorine.
Not just a DIY Installation
ABCwaters Triple Combo may seem like a complicated system. But for those who are used to tinkering with stuff around the home, you can enjoy bringing this unit together. For most people, you will need to involve a professional.
The water softener comes with the Fleck SXT valve, 10-inch in diameter resin tank and a brine tank with a safety float. It also includes the 1-inch yoke threading system. For the 5-stage reverse system, ABCwaters is keen to include all the filters for the five stages and a lead-free faucet. You won’t be buying anything as the 2.2-gallon storage tank, valves, water & drain line, plus all the accessories are included.
Looking at the carbon filter, there’s a 1.5ft carbon media, 10-inch in diameter tank, the in & out valve, and the bypass valve. ABCwaters covers all the different systems with extensive warranties of up to 10 years.
Final Thoughts
ABCwaters Triple Combo is the ultimate water softener and filtration system for homes that need extensive water purification needs. You get the best of three worlds as your water will be free of water hardeners, contaminants, and bad smells & tastes.
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4. Whirlpool WHES30 30,000 Grain Water Softener- For Very Hard Water
Whirlpool WHES30 30,000 Grain Water Softener is a money-saving system. You will be free of water and energy wastage with a learn and predict system that uses Sense technologies. This is the most popular softener by Whirlpool, and we can already see why people like it.
Very Hard Water
Forget about the models above if your water comes out as hard as 95 grains per gallon. This is very hard water, and not just any water softener can deal with such high levels of dissolved minerals. Whirlpool WHES30 also takes care of iron deposits of up to 8ppm. It is more than decent in what it can do for you.
You’ll, however, notice that this is not for large homes. It is ideal for a max four people with two bathrooms. It will not allow you to run more than two machines at the same time since it has a water flow rate of 7.6 gallons per minute. It also has a 30,000-grain capacity which means it may regenerate more often for larger families than smaller households.
For example, if you are a household of four with around 75gpg of hard water and using up to 320 gallons of water a day, this system will regenerate every two weeks.
Salt-Saving Technology
Whirlpool WHES30 is not a Fleck regeneration system, but it works the same. It can learn your home water needs and regenerate as required. It can calculate how much salt it needs depending on your water hardness and water needs thanks to Sense technologies.
Simple Space-Saving Installation
We already like that Whirlpool WHES30 comes in a single tank and can sit anywhere in the house instead of hidden away under counters an in basements. It connects directly to a 1-inch diameter pipe and is made in the USA so no worries about the quality of its parts and electronics.
Whirlpool comes with all the accessories including the bypass valve, 1-inch male-pipe thread, and super-detailed instructions that anyone can follow. You also have the choice to call a direct helpline if you get stuck installing this system.
Final Thoughts
Whirlpool WHES30 is a capable product for very hard water. Complemented by its advanced regeneration system, it’s pure joy for well water as it usually has high levels of dissolved calcium.
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5. Pentair Upgraded High-Capacity Fleck 5600SXT for Medium to Very Hard Water
Pentair Fleck 5600SXT helps eliminate the multitude of problems and scale build-up caused by hard water. With a 48,000-grain capacity, it is ideal for typical homes of up to six members with average water needs.
Highly Efficient Fleck System
This salt-based water softener can deliver water at an impressive rate of 12 gallons per minute. Large households are again not in luck with this model. But we do like that it removes hardness in water with up to 75gpg. It can also remove small amounts of clear water iron.
Pentair Fleck 5600SXT has the 10% crosslinked resin which will last long before replacement. Also, it uses the very highly-efficient digital-on-demand control head that helps in proper regeneration according to water needs. With the help of the included water hardness kit, you will be able to set the system correctly which will, in turn, save you on salt and energy costs in the long run.
You will like that it has a user-friendly interface that involves a touchpad and an LCD. It allows you to input set regeneration so that it happens at the most appropriate time like at night instead of when water is needed.
Installation in a Snap
Pentair Fleck 5600SXT comes with a robust polyglass resin tank and a brine tank with a float assembly. You can install it anywhere as it is not unsightly. Since it is heavy when it arrives, an extra pair of hands will help install it in a much shorter time. You will be supplied with the plumbing adapter and the bypass valve to further ease with installation and maintenance.
Pentair also includes a video for the installation instructions. It is way better than written manuals since it is easy to follow through seeing.
Final Thoughts
Pentair Fleck 5600SXT comes recommended for normal water needs. Small to medium-sized homes will receive the most usability from this model. It offers high-grain capacity, meter-based regeneration, durable tanks, and internal power backup that speaks of nothing but reliability.
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6. ABCwaters Softener and Carbon Filter System- Removes Unpleasant Tastes
Are you dealing with hard water that tastes bad? ABCwaters Softener and Carbon Filter is just the right kind of system for your home. It combines the two systems to give you the most remarkable setup for the whole house.
Makes Hard Water Soft and Removes Bad Tastes
ABCwaters water softener has a 48-000 grain capacity and a flow rate of 12GPM. It can provide enough soft water for households of up to five people. It uses the upgraded 10% crosslink resin for improved longevity. It is of high-quality an unaffected by chlorine that’s why it lasts as long as it does.
Looking at the up-flow carbon filtration system, we are pleased that it does not require backwash or any electricity. It uses premium-quality coconut shells carbon media that performs way better than any charcoal-based filter. This filter has a high-density, balanced porous structure that will remove chlorine and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) such as vapors and gases from burning of coal, gases, and cigarette smoke.
Fleck Control System
We all like the convenience that Fleck’s 5600SXT control valve brings to any water softener. Instead of using a preset cycle, this water softener will regenerate after a certain amount of water is used. When consumption is low, you will save on salt, water, and energy as it does not consume a similar amount when consumption is high.
It comes with a high-capacity salt tank that can hold up to 250 pounds of salt. For most homes, it will require replacements once to twice a year.
Installation
Professionals and anyone handy around the home will find the ABCwaters Softener easy to install. It comes with all the tanks, valves, carbon media, and installation accessories. Everything should go without incidence, and if you need to refer to the product instructions, they are also well-written. For the carbon filter, you may find it a bit complicated if you have never handled any plumbing tools.
Final Thoughts
Say hello to safer, healthier water with ABCwaters Softener and Carbon Filter system. It will remove common contaminants, odors, and improve the taste of water. This system will help prevent and remove existing scale without increasing your energy bills unimaginably.
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Conclusion
Buying a water softener that performs reliably should not be very hard. With a little research, you can have your hands on an efficient and functional model. While well water can be hard to treat, once you find out what you are dealing with, you will find there are brands made for your exact need.
Since water softeners don’t go through roughing up, yours can last more than ten years without incidence. All is required is to install your water softener correctly. Most water softeners vary slightly in the way they work with your plumbing.
After that, you can improve the condition of your home and your health with the best water softener for the whole house and well water.