So I found out today I'm going to need a new water softener - woohoo.

It was installed incorrectly, hasn't been serviced/with salt in it in a long time (at least a year, partly my fault but plumber said it probably has been longer), has some broken parts, and is wasting a ton of water. The plumber suggested a Nugen 70k grain dual media water softener (softens water while also filtering for whole house). This would cost me around $3k including installation and flushing my existing water heater. They also have a promotion where I could buy that softener, and get a new 50 gal (same size I have now, and it's 3 years old) Ream water heater with 6 year warranty for $3,400. Softener has 10 year warranty no matter what.

First off, anyone have any experience with Nugen softeners in general, and maybe specifically their dual media softener? Is $3k nuts for just softener + installation? And should I even worry about getting the new water heater since mine is fine and only 3 years old?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Where do you live that you need a water softener? The elements in tap water are good for your health. And keep the water heater you have. They typically last 10-15 years and a 50 gal Rheem 6 yr warranty is $250 at home depot.

North part of San Antonio. I'm not concerned about tap water, but having filtered water would be nice since I'm not a huge fan of the taste of the tap here.

I would just get a water filter at the faucet you drink out of then. A water softener adds salt to all of the water in your house...unnecessary and costly (as you can see) unless you're on a well if you ask me.

From my own experience here, I think a softener isn't just a "luxury" item. We have some hard water issues and I can already tell on 3 year old fixtures that there have been some stains. While I appreciate your thoughts on a softener as a luxury item for everyone but those on well water, I'll use my own experience in this house as well as my neighbors as to whether I need one or not. Thanks for the suggestion on the heater though.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

I only have experience with smaller units. I have a Whirlpool (I think) from Home Depot. I wouldn't live without it. As for filtering your water, I'm inclined to get a smaller system just for drinking water. I see no reason to filter toilet, shower, bath, etc. water using any filtration system unless you have some unusual circumstances that I can't imagine right now.

I am in northwest SA too and agree they are useful here.

I'd get a second or third opinion. Call one of the hundred or so water softener companies. I think $3k is rich also they are a breeze to install. Good luck.

We have terribly hard water and I was having major plumbing issues in my new home. I was changing cartridges in my shower every few months and basically didn't have hot water for a year. A friend who works for Moore Supply suggested a Cuno CWS150ME. It is a whole house softener that will take pelletized salt or potassium. It has literally saved our plumbing. We installed an Aquapure media filter in front of the Cuno to catch any major debris and change that filter every 6 months.

I found this as an example of a "before." My wife collected this out of her bath over two fill ups. These we're just the big pieces.


EDIT TO ADD: I had the whole thing purchased and installed for around $2k. And tank water heaters are fairly cheap. I'd find a local Moore Supply or Hughes Supply and have them quote you a package deal. Talk to them a bit and see what they can do on pricing. I'd bet they'd give you contractor pricing if you're nice about it and could likely get a plumber to install for a total that is well under your 3.4k quote.

[This message has been edited by Emeril (edited 4/8/2014 9:07p).]

When living in SA we had a Kenmore. It was great and never caused us any problems. Would buy one here but the water isn't hard.

I can't imagine a water softener, even with installation, being worth $3000 unless they had to run brand new plumbing outside the house to create a loop.

I installed my Whirlpool unit myself for about $600-700 many years ago. It is probably a 54,000 grain unit (3500 sq. ft. and five people in the house at the time).

Thanks all. I'll definitely shop around then.

Shop around - did he explain how it was installed incorrectly? That problem is the only thing that could potentially make the quote reasonable.

A plumbing company that has done good work for us in the past has been Chambliss Plumbing. I installed my water softener myself, but I would expect they should be able to install a Clack water softener for closer to the $1500-2000 price range.

Just finished my new construction home and after research and talking to my plumber, purchased and installed a Whirlpool from Lowes. It was 1/3 the cost so I figured if I can get 5 yrs out of it, I will be money ahead as Dad has had to replace his high dollar system after about 15 years.

I would just go to a box store and pick one up. If you have one installed already, it shouldn't be very hard to replace.

Take it out. Water softeners are an over kill. Most times you do not need. Like others have said the water from a salt based softener is not any better for your health. Use bottled water to drink and also install a reverse osmosis system for your ice maker and tap water in the kitchen.
Wipe down your fixtures if you are concerned with the calcium residue.

OP
Softener based on throughput. (GPM). That seems too expensive unless you need that volume. Lowes and Sears units aren't too reliable.
Find a unit with a Fleck brand valve. You won't be replacing it every 3 or 4 years.
My water hardness is over 20 and a softener is a good investment.

What do ya'll think about a Kinetico?

OP
Just checked and Nugen uses Fleck valves.
I just had softener installed for whole house and cost about $1500 ( single tank system) Dual media is BS. Easier and cheaper to install a stand alone whole house filter.
Would not buy a water heater if you don't need one. I'd keep looking for a better deal.
PM if you need more info.

quote:

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Softener based on throughput. (GPM). That seems too expensive unless you need that volume. Lowes and Sears units aren't too reliable.
Find a unit with a Fleck brand valve. You won't be replacing it every 3 or 4 years.

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So why is my Whirlpool unit bought at Lowes still working flawlessly after at least 8 years?

My water is central Texas well water.

I too have had a whirlpool from lowes for 8+ years on crazy hard tx well water. Still going strong. I'll tell you my take on the extra cost of a fancy water softener for home use: the added cost of high pressure salespeople.

4th year on a Whirpool from Lowes. I think I paid $699 installed. I did get it serviced this spring. Guys who don't know, hard wager can and will ruin your refrigerator, ice maker, dishwasher and your plumbing fixtures. It is a necessity in some places.

Where are y'all located? Need an installer in the north dallas area.

We are on a community well in my neighborhood and the hardness is off the charts (20 grains per gallon). Very hard water is 10 on that scale so a water softener is a must for us. Yes, the water has salt in it. So what, we have an RO filter for drinking. Our appliances stay squeaky clean and hot water heaters run like a champ.