Water filtration systems come all shapes and sizes. They also have different capabilities, some may be the best at best at removing silt and particles, while others may be the best at removing harmful chemicals. Not everyone understands why a water softener is so important, so here are the basics on water softening.
Minerals like magnesium, calcium,and iron harden the water. Hard water will cause a buildup in your plumbing, which will eventually block the pipes. It also damages water boilers and other plumbing fixtures. Another issue with hard water is that soap dissolves less easily if the water isn’t softened. Not all filter systems soften the water and, when looking at a whole house system, a water softener is all the more important. A whole house water softener will protect your plumbing and appliances, like your washing machine and dishwasher, will be more effective.
So this article is going to focus particularly on the best whole house water softener systems. While they will offer various filtration processes in several stages, these systems are known to be especially effective at removing minerals from the water. This is what makes them the best whole house water softening systems.
Water Softeners for City and Well Water
Fleck 5600SXT 48,000 Grain Water Softener Digital SXT Metered Whole House System – For City Water or Water from the Mains
When comparing the best water softening systems, one stands head and shoulders above the rest. The Fleck 5600SXT can only be described as the ultimate whole house water softener. So, in this review of water softeners, the Fleck 5600SXT is our number one choice.
It comes complete with a large filtration and brine tank. It installs to the plumbing and supplies your whole house with softened water. All you need to do is ensure that the system has enough salt. An average household of four people would use about four bags of salt per month. It has a voice warning that tells you when the salt is running low, so you can’t really go wrong.
The tank has a digital controller with an LCD screen. This allows you to program the cycles to suit your lifestyle. It also includes a USB drive instruction manual with videos and an iron harness test kit. You have everything that you’ll need to ensure perfectly soft water in your home.
The general quality of this water softener system is outstanding. The poylglass softener tank, as well as the brine tank, carry an incredible 10-year warranty. The on-demandpaddle wheel water meter is a really solid item as is the bypass valve which has a 1”-yoke. The benefit of using a metered, on-demand system, is that it only replenishes the water as it’s used. You’ll be wasting less water and using less salt.
This is a 24-volt energy star system, which means it has a very low electricity consumption and it’s perfectly safe. The entire system is sealed which means it can be installed outdoors. The flow rate is fantastic at 12 GPM (water consumption 3 GPM). It’s a pretty heavy unity (110-pounds), this is mostly due to the extraordinary 48,000-grain filtration. It fits into an area about 62” in height, this is to accommodate the tank with the digital screen that fits onto of it. With all the pipes and fittings, the length amounts to about 36” and you’ll need a width from the wall of approximately 18”.
As the best whole house water softener system available, the Fleck 5600SXT is going to cost more than many others. Though it’s definitely worth paying for this quality and it’s incredibly effective at removing minerals from the water, which is the most important function of a water softener. In addition to the great 10-year warranty on the tanks, the rest of the system has a 5-year warranty.
Fleck 5600 SXT Digital Metered Softener for Well Water
Fleck has developed a metered water softener which is basically the same as the model we’ve just reviewed with all the same outstanding features, this model has some extras that make it the best for water that’s supplied from a well. It has the same electronic controls and heavy-duty valves and is of the same high quality standard.
In order to meet the demanding situations presented by well water, this system includes the CanPro KDF 85 Media Guard. This helps remove iron and hydrogen sulfide from the water and eliminates that sulfur or rotten egg smell that one sometimes finds in well water.
In all other respects, it is very much the same system as the standard Fleck 5600 water softeners. It has the same 5-year warranty on the valves and controller, with a 10-year warranty on the tanks.
More about Fleck Water Softeners
The Fleck brand forms part of the Pentair Water group of companies. The Fleck brand actually covers the valves that control water softeners and backwashing products. So when you buy any of the Fleck 5600 SXT water softening products, you’re essentially buying the best valves in the world (Fleck) with two tanks and a softening medium.
If you want extra filtration, like you’d get from multi-stage RO systems, you can add additional cartridge filters to the system. So it’s possible to use carbon filters and other media with the Fleck water softeners. But these will need to be purchased separately and installed along with the Fleck water softener.
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