Are you struggling to find the best water softener for your condo? If so, you’re not alone. Hard water is a common problem, especially in areas with high levels of magnesium, iron, and calcium ions. In fact, research suggests that hard water has more than 60 mg of these minerals, with some areas registering water hardness as high as 170 to 180 mg.
Fortunately, a water softener can help reduce the hardness of your water, making it safer for your pipes and fixtures. In this article, we’ll discuss the best water softener for condos, including factors to consider, and some frequently asked questions.
How We Reviewed the Water Softeners?
We’ve taken the time to review and pick out the best water softeners on the market. We looked at the following key aspects to determine which one would be best for our readers.
- How much space the water softener will take. It’s important to factor in the size of your condo, in order to ensure that the water softener will fit comfortably within your space.
- We also consider the amount of water that the water softener will be able to handle, to make sure that it can provide safe and clean water for your entire household.
- We take into account the regeneration unit of the water softener. This is an important factor, as it helps to determine how often the water softener will need to regenerate, as well as how much salt it will use. We also consider whether the regeneration process will be automated or manual.
- Finally, we look into whether the water softener comes with a bypass valve. This helps to ensure that the water softener will always be able to regulate the water flow to the correct pressure, ensuring that your water supply remains clean and safe.
After considering these factors, we have picked what we believe to be the best water softener for your condo. We have also taken into account their prices, to make sure that you are getting the best value for your money.
5 Best Water Softeners For Condos
#1. Best Overall: Aquasure Harmony Series (32,000 Grains)
- 💧【 PERFECTLY DESIGNED FOR 1-2 BATHROOMS 】The Aquasure Harmony Series is the professional grade water softener that delivers ultra-softened water to every outlet throughout your entire home.
- 💧【 PROTECTS YOUR APPLIANCES 】Reduces water hardness and eliminates scale buildup while preventing damage to your plumbing and prolonging the lifespan of household appliances such as washing machine, dishwasher, water heater, etc.
- 💧【 CLEANER HOME WATER 】Rated to treat 32,000 grains of hardness by removing skin damaging hard minerals like calcium and magnesium that clog up the skin pore and causes irritation.
- 💧【 AUTOMATIC DIGITAL METERED CONTROL HEAD 】Comes with a fully programmable backlit digital display which allows you to easily customize your auto-flush intervals depending on your incoming water quality and water usage. Also allows for easy monitoring and hassle-free maintenance.
- 💧【 PREMIUM QUALITY 】Every Aquasure Water Softener is constructed with a high-strength, corrosion-resistant, fiberglass-lined polyethylene tank, durable bypass valve, and prefilled premium-grade resin. Besides the 30-day money-back, Aquasure stands behind its products by providing 5-year extended manufacturer warranty and life-time free US based tech support when you activate your product online within 60 days.
The Aquasure Harmony Water Softener is the perfect solution for apartment and condo living, where space is at a premium. Its compact size allows you to place or mount it in any location without taking up too much of your valuable space. Plus, its modern design easily fits into any lifestyle aesthetic.
This top-of-the-line water softener effectively treats 32,000 Grains of Hardness, eliminating the need for spot build up caused by excess minerals.
It provides efficient regeneration control with its innovative digital meter control head. This feature uses a combination of time delayed, metered and manual regeneration for optimal efficiency.
It comes equipped with a corrosion resistant fiberglass lined polyethylene tank – guaranteeing users long-term protection against the damaging effects of rust and oxidation.
The durable bypass valve ensures an uninterrupted flow of softened water and added stress-free convenience. The prefilled premium grade resin prolongs the service life of the unit so you can enjoy years of pure soft water with minimum hassle.
Verdict
Aquasure Harmony Series Water Softener is the ideal solution for condos and small living spaces. It is designed to cater to households with 1-2 bathrooms and up to 3 people, offering optimal water softening tailored to their needs. There’s no need for wasted money on a bigger system that won’t be used – this smaller size will maximize efficiency while still providing you with all the benefits and convenience you need.
Pros
- Space-saving design
- Overflow regulator
- Fully customizable control head
- Energy efficient
Cons
- Installation is a bit tricky, not for DIY.
#2. Best Easy to Install: Tier1 Digital Whole House Water Softener
- No-Maintenance Ceramic: The patented ceramic disk control valve is abrasion and corrosion resistant, and is designed to last the entire life of the valve with no need for seals, spacers or piston rebuild kits.
- Appliance Protection: System includes a prefilter for sediment reduction, while the water softener protects against hard water and eliminates scale buildup to extend the life of appliances like the water heater, washing machine, dishwasher, toilets and showerheads.
- Automatic Control Valve: The metered softener measures your water usage and only regenerates when you actually need it. It also has built-in automatic bypassing during regeneration, and simple, easy to use programming.
- Enhanced Cleaning: Notice brighter cleaner laundry, healthier smoother hair, and softer more moisturized skin. Soft water improves the effectiveness of soaps and detergents by removing calcium and magnesium minerals which bind to detergents and cause soap scum allowing you to use less soap for a better and more enjoyable cleaning experience.
- The 48,000 grain softener is filled with 1.5 cubic foot of high quality 8% water softener resin and has a small footprint on the floor with a 10x59 main softener, and compact 13.5x32 salt tank.
The Tier1 Water Softener is the quickest and easiest to install on the market. Installation takes only minutes using basic tools that you may already have around your home. It is capable of removing up to 48,000 grains of hardnessfrom your home’s supply, reducing limescale build-up from your plumbing fixtures and appliances in one session.
It comes pre-filled with 1.5 cubic feet of Cation Resin so you’ll be ready to go right away. Delivering efficient performance without taking up precious space, it’s perfect for condos and homes alike.
An LCD display panel conveniently shows the mode that it’s currently in and how many gallons of soft water remain for use in your home. Plus, making adjustments to settings is a breeze with the intuitive user interface.
Verdict
The Tier1 Whole House Water Softener packs a huge punch in softening your water despite its compact design. Perfect for condos with limited space, it won’t take up too much room but will still guarantee the same quality of softened water that larger units offer. Installation is hassle-free and requires minimal effort, saving you time and money on big installation jobs.
Pros
- Adjustable cycle times
- User-friendly
- Easy installation and Maintenance
- Reputable brand
Cons
- The regeneration process is a bit slow (two hours)
#3. Best Programmable: GE Water Softener System
- Electronic controls - Easy to use up-front electronic controls with status light indicator
- Grain capacity - 30,400
- GE exclusive days to empty - Makes sure you never have to guess when to refill the salt tank
- Water usage - Uses up to 20% less water*
- Plumbing connections - Plumbing connection up to 1"
With its programmable operation and permanent memory, you’ll never miss a cycle no matter what happens with the power in your area! This feature eliminates all worries of having to manually reactivate or reprogram your softening levels and lets you stick with whatever routine works best.
It removes an impressive 95 grains per gallon maximum hardness, making it one of the most advanced water softening systems available. Its 30,400-Grain capacity ensures superior performance over extended periods of time.
This system can reduce up to 7 parts per million (PPM) of iron, while also remembering and anticipating your usage patterns so it maintains an optimal level at all times.
The up-front controls provide an indicator to let you know exactly how many days until the system runs out of salt, so that you can plan accordingly and avoid inconvenience.
Verdict
The GE Water Softener System offers convenience and customization, all while minimizing needed space. Perfect for small homes or apartments, this system is designed to fit almost anywhere and provide great soft water. As an added bonus, the user-friendly interface makes setting up a breeze so that you can start using soft water as quickly as possible.
Pros
- Easy-to-use
- Programmable memory
- Stats light indicator
- Adapts to your usage patterns
Cons
- Some users reported a brine discharge
#4. Best Electric Descaler: Yarna Capacitive Electronic Water Descaler System
- HOW IT WORKS: Yarna CWD24 is a Patented alternative water softner for homes that treats water with electric pulses generated within the electronic unit and controlled by a micro-chip! These pulses are transmitted via our Ultra Flat Impulse Bands which breakdown crystals that would otherwise buildup into limescale, which can break appliances.
- WHO BENEFITS FROM YARNA: Our customers report cleaner pipes and faucets, lower costs for descaling and heating, and better overall water quality using our whole house water softener system alternative. Depending on the current condition of your plumbing, it may take up to three months to observe a significant improvement
- EASY INSTALLATION: All you need is access to a minimum of 10" of free pipe space with a maximum pipe diameter of 1". Yarna whole house water descaler is completely DIY with no need for any tools or specialized help. Our whole house water descaler works with any type of piping up to 1" thick
- WHY DESCALING IS BETTER THAN SOFTENING: The Yarna CWD24 water softener descaling system won't eliminate beneficial minerals from water. Additionally, unlike traditional whole house water softeners, Yarna does not require the use of salt and does not allow water to be wasted
- 365 DAYS MONEY BACK GUARANTEE: Should you not be satisfied with the product's performance, you have a whole year to return it for a refund!
Yarna Electronic Water Descaler is proven to be one of the top salt free descaling systems on the market. Due to its patented technology and unrivaled quality, this electric water descaler effectively prevents scale build up in pipes, reducing costly maintenance costs while protecting your home and appliances from hard water damage.
It uses electric pulses generated within the electronic unit to condition your hard water and descale it for a smoother flow of liquid.
This compact electric water descaler system only requires 10″ of free pipe space with a 1″ max pipe diameter, making it ideal for tight fits in places like kitchen cabinets. Installation and maintenance are easy too, since the design offers quick access to components so you don’t have to take apart your entire unit after just one use.
Verdict
This is the perfect system for condos, apartments, and other small living spaces. The Yarna Capacitive Electronic Water Descaler provides a more affordable alternative to salt-based water softeners without sacrificing quality. It’s an effective way to scale back on home upkeep while still getting the same performance as you would from a traditional water softening system.
Pros
- Best salt-free water softening alternative
- Easy & hassle-free installation
- Compact
- Affordable
Cons
- It may slightly increase your electric bill
#5. Best Budget: PRO+AQUA Portable Water Softener
- 【 HIGHLY EFFICIENT 】Hard water is notorious for smelling like rotten eggs and having a foul taste. Improve the overall smell and taste of water and protect your water system from hard water deposits, build-up, corrosion, and scale by using a portable water softener.
- 【 READY TO USE IN 5 MINUTES 】This PRO+AQUA Portable Water Softener comes fully assembled with 3/4" high flow in/out garden hose ports and has a 16,000 grain capacity for up to 60 days (2,000 gallons) of softened water. Works with both city and well water.
- 【 MULTI-PURPOSE & EFFECTIVE】Innovatively designed in the U.S., this portable water softener can not only be used in your RV, trailer, marina, boats, to soften water for all your water needs like drinking and bathing water but also spas, mobile car washing and pressure washing to combat the effects of hard water.
- 【 NO ELECTRICITY REQUIRED 】Requires no tools or electricity. Easily connect your RV, Boat or Pressure Washer to any standard water hose connections typically found in campgrounds, park faucets. Easily regenerates with 2 boxes of common table salt in less than 30 minutes.
- 【 VALUE FOR MONEY 】Despite its compact size of only 10" x 19.5", this portable softener & conditioner produces twice the gallons and 40% more soft water compared to other brands, making it the best choice for protecting your water system. Comes with a 2-year warranty.
This PRO AQUA Water Softener is perfect for condos seeking cost-effective water softening solutions without compromising on performance. The 16,000 Grain capacity and a 5 GPM flow of the unit makes it an excellent choice when you need to soften hard water in a limited timeframe– all at a budget-friendly price!
This Water Softener comes with an additional female adapter, making it incredibly easy to setup the backwash system. Its innovative regeneration process only takes 30 minutes – perfect for busy condo owners who don’t have time to wait around all day!
It is constructed from high grade NSF materials, you can be sure of its durability and dependability. Using this efficient softener is a breeze, only taking up to 5-10 minutes to install and start using it immediately!
Additionally, the system is conveniently sized to easily fit within any tight spaces commonly found in condominiums.
Verdict
The PRO AQUA Water Softener is a budget-friendly solution to condo’s hard water issues. With 16000 grains of power, it can soften and purify tough mineral buildup quickly and effectively, making sure none of your pipes or appliances suffer the consequences of mineral accumulation. To top it all off, this tough softener is meant to last for years – so you won’t have to worry about replacing your softening system anytime soon.
Pros
- Quick and efficient regeneration
- Low-maintenance operation
- Easy to install
- Compact design, perfect for tight spaces
Cons
Some users reported a low water pressure
Buyer’s Guide For the Best Water Softener For Condo
To make sure you get the best water softener for your condominium, here’s a buying guide to help you make an informed decision:
Grain Capacity
When looking for a water softener, grain capacity should be a major deciding factor. Grain capacity is a measure of how much hard minerals the water softener can remove from household water. Condos with two people require at least a 16,000-grain capacity, but this may be higher depending on the number of users and hardness of its area’s water supply. This number represents how many grains of mineral deposits are removed from each gallon of water before the system needs to be regenerated.
A model with higher grain capacity can soften more water at a time, making it more convenient and efficient. This is especially important if several people live in the same condo and there’s high demand for softened water.
Resin Tank Capacity
Resin is the material used in water softening systems that helps reduce water hardness by removing minerals such as calcium and magnesium. The size of a resin tank typically affects how much water can be softened at once, so it’s important to choose wisely depending on how much hard water needs to be treated.
A smaller tank may require more frequent cleaning or maintenance in order to accommodate those with high-volume usage. While larger tanks are ideal for those who use multiple fixtures throughout their home.
Digital Meter with Regeneration Settings
A digital meter will automatically measure and allows you to adjust the regeneration settings. This ensures that the water softener works optimally and efficiently without any manual adjustments or guesswork on your part.
The regeneration setting determines how often and how much salt needs to be used by the water softener, so it has an important role in its performance. The digital meter will measure how much softened water has been used up since last regeneration and make sure that only enough salt gets added. This way, wastage of resources can be avoided while also ensuring ideal levels of softened water supply in your condo at all times.
Easy Maintenance
Maintenance can be time-consuming and expensive, so look for a reliable model with features like self-cleaning and automatic regeneration. This will ensure that you don’t have to spend time and money on maintenance and repairs.
Available Area
It’s also important to consider the size of the unit when choosing a water softener. Choose one that fits into small spaces and runs quietly so it won’t disrupt your living environment. If possible, find out what other condominium owners are using in similar situations to get an idea of what might work best in yours.
Units of Non-Proprietary Components
Another factor to consider is the water softener’s non-proprietary components. Non-proprietary components are parts that are not specific to any one manufacturer, meaning they can be replaced easily without having to purchase a new water softener.
A Bypass Valve
One key component to consider when selecting a water softener for your condo is that it should have a bypass valve.
A bypass valve allows you to temporarily shut off the system, such as if you need to perform maintenance or repairs. This means that there won’t be any disruptions in service while the work is completed; instead, you can simply switch back over to city water until the task has been finished. With this built-in feature, you don’t have to worry about turning off the entire unit or waiting for repairs or upgrades.
Proven Technology and Good Brand
Finally, make sure to choose a water softener from a reputable brand. Look for models that have a long track record of success and good customer reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Safe To Drink Softened Water?
Yes, softened water is safe to drink, and it can help us keep our bodies healthy. Softened water is just like regular water, only it has been treated to take out some of the minerals and chemicals and make it easier to use. So that it is not as hard on your skin or clothes when you take a shower or do laundry.
What Is The Lifespan Of Water Softeners?
The average lifespan of water softeners typically ranges from 10 to 20 years. This estimate is depending on the model and type of operation and how frequently it has been serviced over the course of its operational life.
The mineral content, hardness, and other impurities present in the local water supply tend to affect the longevity of a given device. Additionally, environmental conditions such as temperature swings can also contribute to premature degradation.
What Is The Perfect Size Of Water Softener For An Apartment With 4 Family Members?
The optimal size of a water softener for a family of four can be determined by calculating the total grains of hardness in the water supply and dividing it by the daily usage of each individual. In this case, a 30,000 grain or more capacity water softener would be most suitable as it would provide sufficient supply to address the domestic water needs of all four family members.
Is Softened Water Ideal For Plants?
Softened water is not ideal for plants, as it has been subject to a process called ion exchange which depletes the water of essential minerals and nutrients that are beneficial to the growth and sustainability of plants. The water softening processes also tend to increase the sodium content in water. A high levels of sodium can be detrimental to soil structure, which may reduce water infiltration and aeration. This could lead to decreased oxygen availability for roots, resulting in slower growth and nutrient deficiencies for plants.
Can You Install A Water Softener In A Condo?
For the potential feasibility of installing a water softener in a condominium unit, it is essential to determine the nature of the contractual agreement between the condo owner and the governing body. Furthermore, the type and condition of the existing plumbing infrastructure must be considered prior to installation, as this will impact whether or not a water softener can successfully be installed.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right water softener for a condo is a matter of considering the space available, the size of your family, and any special features or customization you may require. We’ve reviewed some of the best water softeners on the market that are suitable for condos.
The Aquasure Harmony water softener is the best choice for condos due to its large capacity of 32,000-grain and compact design. For those looking for a more budget-friendly option, the PRO+AQUA Water Softener with 16,000 grain capacity is a great choice. Both of these units are sure to provide excellent water softening performance for condos.Whether you live in a high-rise condominium or a single-family dwelling, there is an ideal water softener on our list to fit your needs.