Anybody tried Rain Soft water softner ? (how much, house, water heater)

[spaceguy]

I signed up for a RainSoft softener demo at Home depot. They did an excellent demo at our house but finally quoted a price about 7000 for installation of water softener, air purifier and a tap near sink.

Anybody tried this softener. How much we can spend on this?

[cricketfan]

Originally Posted by spaceguy

Anybody tried this softener. How much we can spend on this?

I didn't but my neighbor did. You could do alot better pricewise. Do yourself a favor and shop around but this is a very aggressive company that will not take no for an answer. Affordable Water installed ours (just the softener) for $1,200.

[EricBoyd]

I bought one with my first house, back in 2000. I've moved it around a few times since then, and still have it in our current house. It was quite a bit cheaper than $7000, since I've had it since 2000. I think I paid $3800. I'm pleased with it. I actually tried a Kenmore branded unit at one house I had and, honestly, it just didn't seem to work as well as the Rainsoft unit.

I wish I knew what to tell you about pricing. The product is a fine one (well, until another poster comes here and says exactly the opposite. Ha!), and I truly have no complaints about it. They follow up with me once a year or so, to come service it @ 80 bucks a pop, which usually involves changing some O-rings and making sure it cycles properly. The undersink filter in the kitchen is pricey @ $100, but it supposedly lasts for 2 years. (It's a big one!) Salt is still reasonably priced, since I buy it at Lowe's. Keep the salt tank full, so you can maximize the unit's efficiency.

I don't know about that air purifier you mentioned. I'd probably pass on that, unless you think you really need it. I guess if you never left your house and never opened your doors/windows, then you might want your air purified. LOL Seriously, though, I know nothing of those air purifiers.

[Mac1011]

We had Rain soft come and give their Schpeel. Could not get the dude out of our house...he even called his boss, and had that guy talk to me on the phone. IMO way over-priced. Next in line price wise was Culligan, then Sears-Kenmore. We went with the Kenmore and have been satisfied. It's been in a year. We spent around $1500, compared to the $8k Rain Soft wanted. No way was I gonna pay that much for water softening. RS appeard to be a good product, just pricey.

[fsquid]

Excuse my lack of knowledge, but why do people need a water softener?

[EricBoyd]

From here: HowStuffWorks "How does a water softener work?"

We call water "hard" if it contains a lot of calcium or magnesium dissolved in it. Hard water causes two problems:

• It can cause "scale" to form on the inside of pipes, water heaters, tea kettles an*d so on. The calcium and magnesium precipitate out of the water and stick to things. The scale doesn't conduct heat well and it also reduces the flow through pipes. Eventually, pipes can become completely clogged.
• It reacts with soap to form a sticky scum, and also reduces the soap's ability to lather. Since most of us like to wash with soap, hard water makes a bath or shower less productive.

[spaceguy]

It seems product is good but their marketing is aggressive. I can not spend that big money for water softener.

I do not have water source near my garage. To fix the softener in the garage I need to dug and lay the pipeline passing through my drive way which is expensive.

I heard there are some softeners which you can keep near the source ,out of the house. Do we need to take permission from HOA?

[EricBoyd]

I know Rainsoft, and other co's, will place the unit wherever it's possible. They'll even lay some pipe to get there. If it needs to be in your garage, they'll lay the necessary pipe to get it there. For most HOA's, as long as it's screened from street view, it shouldn't be a problem. But, if that's your only option, then I'd get permission to place it outside, prior to purchase.

[cricketfan]

Unless you have no other option I would not recommend installing a water softener system outside. The control mechanism is the only part that is subject to fail and that control head would be exposed to the elements and might require service more often than if it were situated in your garage.

[EricBoyd]

Great point, cricketfan. And, it's possible that the control mechanism has the shortest warranty on it. My Rainsoft system has a lifetime warranty on all parts, EXCEPT the timer clock.