Water Softeners

Shane732

I've finally given up on our crappy hard water and have decided that it's time to get a water softener. I only intend on doing this once so would appreciate any guidance anyone may have on what is generally recognized as the best domestic system available on the market.

I note that there was thread (http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054975269) back in 2006 about this. I'm wondering whether water softener have moved on at all since 2006 and whether Clack is generally recognized as the best available.

Thanks.

Shane732

Shane732 wrote: »

I've finally given up on our crappy hard water and have decided that it's time to get a water softener. I only intend on doing this once so would appreciate any guidance anyone may have on what is generally recognized as the best domestic system available on the market.

I note that there was thread (http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054975269) back in 2006 about this. I'm wondering whether water softener have moved on at all since 2006 and whether Clack is generally recognized as the best available.

Thanks.

Any opinions?

lewis

Shane732 wrote: »

I've finally given up on our crappy hard water and have decided that it's time to get a water softener. I only intend on doing this once so would appreciate any guidance anyone may have on what is generally recognized as the best domestic system available on the market.

I note that there was thread (http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054975269) back in 2006 about this. I'm wondering whether water softener have moved on at all since 2006 and whether Clack is generally recognized as the best available.

Thanks.

I`m in the same boat man, our water is crap and have decided to get a water softener system.

This is where the fun begins, cause I`ve no idea what to look out for and what`s a good system, blah blah..

I have a load of companies bookmarked and I think the best way is to just ring them and have them come out and do what they need to do, to find out what`s best for our house, prices are mad, so best to be sure as to what your getting, also knowing what the year round costs are for running them.

If you`d like any of the crowds I have bookmarked I`ll link them here for ya?

TPM

Firstly you need an upto date water analysis, there may be other material/minerals in the water that needs looking at too. once you have this you will know exactly what you need to filter out, some filtration uses brine which by nature can soften the water.

ronaneire

Loads of water softeners on the market. Some good and some not so good.

Personally try and source one that is non electric.

If the whole house is treated, my advice would be to leave the cold tap in the kitchen on the hard (original) supply. The softener will put sodium into the water.

Try and avoid reverse osmosis (R/O) that some companies will offer, they remove all the good from the water and also waste a lot of water to achieve a small amount of pure water.

If anything the Kinetico WS would be one of the best you will get.

http://www.kinetico.ie/products.asp?category=Buy%20Kinetico%20Water%20Filters

http://www.hy-tekhomecare.com/residential.htm

I have no affiliation to any of the above.

Also water filters do not use brine!

TPM

ronaneire wrote: »

Also water filters do not use brine!

Sorry you are correct. Brain dead moment there.

What I was trying to point out was that depending on the results of the water test you may not need separate water softening.
For example If the water required iron/manganese removal Crystal Right could remove these and soften the water.

A lot of people put in water softeners with out testing water to fix the easily recognisable issue of hardness when there can be other issues that need addressing

tommyh1977

I got a Clack softener from Galway Water Solutions, 4 years later and never looking back

grousedogtom

I fit a lot of softeners and filters day to day,best valve out there is the clack ci,im not a fan of the non electric softeners i got a lot of trouble with them over the years mainly not working right if pressure is not consistent.If you have any questions pm me.

NIMAN

tommyh1977 wrote: »

I got a Clack softener from Galway Water Solutions, 4 years later and never looking back

Also thinking of getting one installed this year as my water is very hard and getting fed up with the limescale everywhere.

Tommyh1977, could you tell us how much your system cost to install, and how much it costs to run? How many people live in your household?

If you don't want to post money figures publicly, pls PM me. Thanks.

irelandspurs

NIMAN wrote: »

Also thinking of getting one installed this year as my water is very hard and getting fed up with the limescale everywhere.

Tommyh1977, could you tell us how much your system cost to install, and how much it costs to run? How many people live in your household?

If you don't want to post money figures publicly, pls PM me. Thanks.

I got one from watertreatmentcentre.ie last wednesday got for €630 paid half deposit and the rest spread out over 10 months.I got a clack installed.I did have a problem with it but they were straight out and are replacing the unit today.

tommyh1977

NIMAN wrote: »

Also thinking of getting one installed this year as my water is very hard and getting fed up with the limescale everywhere.

Tommyh1977, could you tell us how much your system cost to install, and how much it costs to run? How many people live in your household?

If you don't want to post money figures publicly, pls PM me. Thanks.

I bought the softener and brine bin, did the fit myself. It cost me €500 for the unit and uses approx 6 bags of salt per year @ 7.50 per bag.

NIMAN

tommyh1977 wrote: »

I bought the softener and brine bin, did the fit myself. It cost me €500 for the unit and uses approx 6 bags of salt per year @ 7.50 per bag.

What make/model of softener do you have? (can you provide a link to it) and how many people in your household?

Where do you get your salt? I had always heard a figure of €10 - €12 of salt per month, your usage seems a bit lower.

tommyh1977

NIMAN wrote: »

What make/model of softener do you have? (can you provide a link to it) and how many people in your household?

Where do you get your salt? I had always heard a figure of €10 - €12 of salt per month, your usage seems a bit lower.

I've no idea what model TBH. Salt usage depends on water hardness and usage, as this determines the regeneration period of the softener.

http://www.galwaywater.ie/water-softeners

firestarter51

i am also looking for a water softener for my mother out-law, a man came out to the house and tested for limescale which is a big problem, he priced a metered version that will regenerate/clean itself when x amount of water goes through it.the price was 820 fitted.
i rang another crowd, southern pumps in cork and they said the fella is spoofing as the water needs to be sent to a lab for testing at a cost of 90 euro, and then he said they will treat the water for what ever is the problem, cost ranging from 400 to 2000, im not sure now what way to go from here. any help would be great.

jasgrif11

firestarter51 wrote: »

i am also looking for a water softener for my mother out-law, a man came out to the house and tested for limescale which is a big problem, he priced a metered version that will regenerate/clean itself when x amount of water goes through it.the price was 820 fitted.
i rang another crowd, southern pumps in cork and they said the fella is spoofing as the water needs to be sent to a lab for testing at a cost of 90 euro, and then he said they will treat the water for what ever is the problem, cost ranging from 400 to 2000, im not sure now what way to go from here. any help would be great.

I live in the Limerick area and go through 12 bags of salt per year

JohnyB

Well, good water softener might cost ~500. I have meter controlled softener for 2 years now, used aprox 4 bags of salt per year. Company, which installed me this system, gave me 4 bags of salt free to keep softener running for 1 year. At the end of the firs year I have left a bit less than half of the 4th bag. So from my and my friends experience salt usage should be aprox 3-4 bags per year if its good meter controlled system. If someone needs some more info about that company, send pm.

water2buy

Shane732 wrote: »

I've finally given up on our crappy hard water and have decided that it's time to get a water softener. I only intend on doing this once so would appreciate any guidance anyone may have on what is generally recognized as the best domestic system available on the market.

I note that there was thread (http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054975269) back in 2006 about this. I'm wondering whether water softener have moved on at all since 2006 and whether Clack is generally recognized as the best available.

Thanks.

Hi Shane732
Firstly disclaimer, we sell water softeners www.water2buy.ie

That said, I’ll try to be impartial and answer your question. Most softeners on the market will do more or less the same thing i.e. remove lime. How they work is by taking your incoming water supply line, passing the water supply through the resin in the unit, which the lime binds to. The soft water then rejoins the main supply. The salt is just used for cleaning the resin not for the softening process. A lot of the higher cost units claim to be more efficient at this cleaning process but the end result of any of them is soft water. At €8 - €10 for a 25Kg bag of salt you would be a while going through the difference.

There are two types Meter and Timer. This just refers to how the resin is cleaned. Metered measures a preset amount of water passing through the unit then performs a cleaning cycle (uses slat). Timered performs a cleaning cycle (uses salt) every night regardless of the amount of water used.

Both units can be configured depending on your water hardness and number of people in your house. In most cases the small under-sink unit works fine in the average household but you can get larger units if you think you will have a higher soft water demand.

Our units are DIY installs; if you can install a washing machine you can install a water softener. There’s a video to help, or get a plumber for an hour.

Finally avoid the ‘Electric Descalers’ these are fitted to copper pipes and claim to remove lime but are not effective, they often call themselves water softeners but they are not.

Happy to help which any questions you have.

lewis

water2buy wrote: »

Hi Shane732
Firstly disclaimer, we sell water softeners www.water2buy.ie

That said, I’ll try to be impartial and answer your question. Most softeners on the market will do more or less the same thing i.e. remove lime. How they work is by taking your incoming water supply line, passing the water supply through the resin in the unit, which the lime binds to. The soft water then rejoins the main supply. The salt is just used for cleaning the resin not for the softening process. A lot of the higher cost units claim to be more efficient at this cleaning process but the end result of any of them is soft water. At €8 - €10 for a 25Kg bag of salt you would be a while going through the difference.

There are two types Meter and Timer. This just refers to how the resin is cleaned. Metered measures a preset amount of water passing through the unit then performs a cleaning cycle (uses slat). Timered performs a cleaning cycle (uses salt) every night regardless of the amount of water used.

Both units can be configured depending on your water hardness and number of people in your house. In most cases the small under-sink unit works fine in the average household but you can get larger units if you think you will have a higher soft water demand.

Our units are DIY installs; if you can install a washing machine you can install a water softener. There’s a video to help, or get a plumber for an hour.

Finally avoid the ‘Electric Descalers’ these are fitted to copper pipes and claim to remove lime but are not effective, they often call themselves water softeners but they are not.

Happy to help which any questions you have.

My only concern is the possible harmful effects to baby`s, so for my situation I`d like the softener everywhere bar the kitchen sink(drinking water).

What`s your opinion on soft water long term effects?

water2buy

lewis wrote: »

My only concern is the possible harmful effects to baby`s, so for my situation I`d like the softener everywhere bar the kitchen sink(drinking water).

What`s your opinion on soft water long term effects?

Hi Lewis

The most common practice is install an inexpensive water filter tap after the water softener. They literally clip onto your water supply line with a 'saddle valve' which is a self tapping valve. They come with a small filter tap which you can mount on your kitchen sink. These are available anywhere from €30-€150, if your water is otherwise ok then the cheap one will be fine. Essentially this provides drinking water by filtering the water post softening (just at 1 tap)

I read a good article recently for those concerned about using water softener water for drinking. Here's the link:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertyadvice/jeffhowell/9924702/Jeff-Howell-is-it-dangerous-to-drink-soft-water.html

All the best

lewis

water2buy wrote: »

Hi Lewis

The most common practice is install an inexpensive water filter tap after the water softener. They literally clip onto your water supply line with a 'saddle valve' which is a self tapping valve. They come with a small filter tap which you can mount on your kitchen sink. These are available anywhere from €30-€150, if your water is otherwise ok then the cheap one will be fine. Essentially this provides drinking water by filtering the water post softening (just at 1 tap)

I read a good article recently for those concerned about using water softener water for drinking. Here's the link:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertyadvice/jeffhowell/9924702/Jeff-Howell-is-it-dangerous-to-drink-soft-water.html

All the best

Would this be the same or similar to the Brita filters?

water2buy

Yes similar to brita, which is essentially a carbon filter. All of them do the same but the brita brand is probably the most expensive one.

lewis

water2buy wrote: »

Yes similar to brita, which is essentially a carbon filter. All of them do the same but the brita brand is probably the most expensive one.

We have a Brita filter in our fridge.

So I think the solution is to get a softener for the whole house bar the kitchen sink.

Do the effect the pressure of the water?

water2buy

Indeed, you could bypass the kitchen sink altogether and soften the rest of the house that would work.

There should be no effect on your water pressure.

lewis

water2buy wrote: »

Indeed, you could bypass the kitchen sink altogether and soften the rest of the house that would work.

There should be no effect on your water pressure.

So you reckon that most of the softener models do basically the same thing, no matter how flashy the look?

I`d just want to make sure that I get the best I can get for a good price, also that it`ll last, with low running costs, ya know?

water2buy

Yes the principal of how they work inside is the same, like i said originally they vary in efficiencies but not by much if you are trying to justify large price differences. Just get one with a parts warranty from a company that has been around a while - in this industry it's here today gone tomorrow. We've been retailing water softeners online for 7 years and before that to plumbers for a further 5 years.

lewis

water2buy wrote: »

Yes the principal of how they work inside is the same, like i said originally they vary in efficiencies but not by much if you are trying to justify large price differences. Just get one with a parts warranty from a company that has been around a while - in this industry it's here today gone tomorrow. We've been retailing water softeners online for 7 years and before that to plumbers for a further 5 years.

So could you recommend a unit or is that asking to much?

Four people in the house, 3 bed semi.

water2buy

Mod Edit,

Content removed, no advertising on boards unless you go through the correct channels.

Water2buy,

please look into the rules of the site, your username looks as if it could be against the site rules too.

lewis

mod edit,

content removed , copy of above.

water2buy

Mod Edit Copy of above

MikeOis

Mod edit, content removed,

Lads advertising on boards is not a free for all, if you see someone doing it please report the thread and do not spam quote whole threads containing adverts as we end up having to do this.

thanks all, I understand that this is not intentional, just giving some feedback.

water2buy

Hi

The shower element is a common victim - the limescale cakes it, it's a wonder how it heats the water at all.
A water softener will eventually flush out your entire system, pipes, cylinder, appliances etc...
A water softener will flush out existing limescale over 2-3 months, in bad cases it takes 5-6 months to be come lime free.

Hope this answers your questions.

Dtp79

water2buy wrote: »

Hi

The shower element is a common victim - the limescale cakes it, it's a wonder how it heats the water at all.
A water softener will eventually flush out your entire system, pipes, cylinder, appliances etc...
A water softener will flush out existing limescale over 2-3 months, in bad cases it takes 5-6 months to be come lime free.

Hope this answers your questions.

Would it be that quick??
I always thought it takes years?
Any thoughts on these new combimates that are in all the suppliers?

ronaneire

water2buy wrote: »

Hi Lewis

The most common practice is install an inexpensive water filter tap after the water softener. They literally clip onto your water supply line with a 'saddle valve' which is a self tapping valve. They come with a small filter tap which you can mount on your kitchen sink. These are available anywhere from €30-€150, if your water is otherwise ok then the cheap one will be fine. Essentially this provides drinking water by filtering the water post softening (just at 1 tap)

I read a good article recently for those concerned about using water softener water for drinking. Here's the link:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertyadvice/jeffhowell/9924702/Jeff-Howell-is-it-dangerous-to-drink-soft-water.html

All the best

An inexpensive filter will not remove salt/sodium from the water. The only way to remove is to install an R/O system and by doing so you then remove all minerals from the water.

jasgrif11

What's involved in servicing this unit? Is it something I can do myself?
I'm currently going through 12 bags of salt per year.

dingdong1234567

jasgrif11 wrote: »

What's involved in servicing this unit? Is it something I can do myself?
I'm currently going through 12 bags of salt per year.

That would not be unusual depending on your water quality etc.
However I would also like to know how to service this also as I have the same.

sarenka

Any experience with EWT?

I'm just about to book the installation as they run half price promotion plus free water filter.

ronaneire

sarenka wrote: »

Any experience with EWT?

I'm just about to book the installation as they run half price promotion plus free water filter.

Their "half price offer" is just a sales ploy. It is going on since they started and you shouldn't think just because you're getting a free filter that it seems like a bargain. There are plenty of other companies offering the same others better.

Have you shopped around?

sarenka

No I haven't really properly shopped around. I looked at few different softeners but to be honest I don't see anything better for the same price... I'm very open to ideas if you have other recommendations.
I just want modern metered unit that use none or very little electricity and it's water and salt efficient.
EWT is just close by to where I live...

Thanks

ronaneire

sarenka wrote: »

No I haven't really properly shopped around. I looked at few different softeners but to be honest I don't see anything better for the same price... I'm very open to ideas if you have other recommendations.
I just want modern metered unit that use none or very little electricity and it's water and salt efficient.
EWT is just close by to where I live...

Thanks

Google is your answer. They all use very little electricity and usage of salt comes down to the hardness of the water and how much water you actually use not the actual unit.

TMC99

dingdong1234567 wrote: »

That would not be unusual depending on your water quality etc.
However I would also like to know how to service this also as I have the same.

Bit late but quite easy to service if you're handy - have a look here

mona.lisa

I'm thinking about going ahead with this crowd http://www.ewtechnologies.ie/
Does anyone have any experience with them?
They have a fantastic offer at the moment of €649 for softener & drinking water filter supplied and fitted.

mona.lisa

Hi ronaneire can you PM me the other companies please?

sarenka

mona.lisa wrote: »

I'm thinking about going ahead with this crowd http://www.ewtechnologies.ie/
Does anyone have any experience with them?
They have a fantastic offer at the moment of €649 for softener & drinking water filter supplied and fitted.

I'm having mine fitted on Monday. I went for one model up, so it's slightly more expensive...

ronaneire

mona.lisa wrote: »

Hi ronaneire can you PM me the other companies please?

GOOGLE

mona.lisa

sarenka wrote: »

I'm having mine fitted on Monday. I went for one model up, so it's slightly more expensive...

Hi Sarenka

How much did you pay for the upgrade and what made you go for it?
Our household comprises of 2 adults and 2 kids.

mona.lisa

ronaneire wrote: »

GOOGLE

ha ha

mona.lisa

Hi Sarenka
How did you get on or is it too early to tell?

sarenka

mona.lisa wrote: »

Hi Sarenka
How did you get on or is it too early to tell?

I ended up going for a more expensive model so I paid 734 in total. It's tall but slim and takes less than a half of my kitchen unit. I also went for a larger water filter unit as it's connected to my cold water (water softener bypass cold water for drinking).
I imagine they all work more less the same, I'm in a new build so won't see any difference in terms of de-scaling etc. But I have been living in area for a while and I have seen and experienced damaged caused by lime scale in a period as short as 6 months! I won't have to worry about it now...

As for fitting service - it was excellent! Polite, friendly, professional and CLEAN! Our units were remodelled/rebuild inside to fit the water softener unit and still serve as kitchen units with necessary shelving for storage.

If you need any more details or would like to take advantage of a "referred by friend" offer just PM me.

Panrich

Jebus, This whole area is a minefield to navigate. I have been looking at several of these solutions using google (thanks ronaneire) and I'm not really any the wiser. It seems very difficult to compare the offerings from different companies in any meaningful way.
You have metered/timered, electric/non-electric, manufactured/packaged solutions. There are double tanks, block salt, package salt, special offers, water filters and reverse osmosis etc. etc.

I live in a hard water area (Meath) and was leaning towards the Kinetico (again ronaneire) but then I read this that indicates that the Kinetico is very expensive on running costs:

http://purechoice.co.uk/the-best-water-softener/

Shane732

ronaneire wrote: »

GOOGLE

Ronaneire,

Perhaps you could help me (us) a bit more....

You mention the Kinetico as being a system you would recommend. How does it compare to Clack systems?

Thinking of getting the Clack water softener from The Water Treatment Centre installed for €670, including free drinking water tap for kitchen.

Anybody got this one? Happy with it, worth it?

Thanks.