Way OT: whole house water filter & softener, Any hands-on experience? Options

[draganc]

I know this topic is way off, but I have always been impressed about the input of the forum's members.

Alright, here is the scenario:

I have a water-well, salt based softener and an As filter (the level is just over the NJ limits).

The problem:

Instead on working on my 914, I'm schlepping salt bags into the basement and water jugs into the garage.

What I want:

A whole house water filter system, a salt-free softener and a revers-osmosis filter in the kitchen only.

I searched the internet high and low but would like to hear some real experience from the members here.

At the moment I have the Aquasana Rhino, Pelican and NuvoH2O on the radar.

Thanks for your input
DC

PS: I already tried to switch from water to beer. However, that didn't work out to well with the rest of the family :-(.

[76-914]

You need to know the hardness of your water in order to size your system. If you over treat (<3grns per mil i.e.= dead soft water) then your going to go thru some water heaters. Actually, the anode rods get eaten up rather quickly and if not replaced will lead to premature tank failure. See http://www.hotwater.com/lit/bulletin/bulletin44.pdf . Softners remove the minerals by attaching them to resin beads which are in turn flushed off the beads by salt water. Water conditioners do not remove the minerals but rather keep them in suspension, preventing them from precipitating and thereby avoiding mineral stains left on your dishes. Neither the softner or conditioner improve the taste. That is done with filters. Your prefilter will trap large particles and protect the unit being used whilst the post filter(s) which are usually carbon improve the taste. Clamp on exterior devices are snake oil and I have yet to see them work. Jeff mentioned Kinetico which is an excellent brand softner. R/O's are < $180 at Costco and are throw aways at that price. I paid 1800 for my first one in 1985! I recommend that everyone have an RO. As for recommending a water softner; not so much. There are areas where softners are "needed" and there are areas that have very good water softner sales people. One other note. Women usually love softners because the trace amounts of salt draw the glycerin from your skin and leave you with that "bath oil bead" feeling on your skin. Softners also reduce the amount of soap that you use drastically. If you have one installed you will need to have a few hose bibbs run off your hard water side for watering your yard. Wash your car with the softened side for a spotless rinse. Hope this helps. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)