SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener Review: City Water Treatment

Hi, I'm Ricardo L.. I live in Virginia.

Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips asked me to share my experience as a homeowner on Iron Filter with the SoftPro® Elite HE Water Softener for City Water (Industry's Best Softener & Filter Combo) I purchased.

This is how my adventures played out. I hope this helps you in your decision.

The Water Problems That Drove Me to Find a Solution

Let me paint you a picture of what life was like before I installed the SoftPro Elite HE system. Every morning when I'd make my coffee, I'd notice this metallic taste that just wouldn't go away no matter what brand of beans I used. My wife constantly complained about her hair feeling dry and brittle after showers, and honestly, I was getting tired of scrubbing white spots off our glassware every single day.

But what really got my attention was our water heater.
The technician who came for routine maintenance told us we had significant mineral buildup that was reducing efficiency by nearly 30%. He estimated we'd need a replacement within two years instead of the typical 8-10 year lifespan. That conversation hit my wallet hard – I realized we were looking at a $1,200-1,500 expense that could be prevented.

Our city water tested at 18 grains per gallon hardness, which I learned falls into the "very hard" category. The municipal water treatment plant removes harmful bacteria and chemicals, but they don't address hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium. These dissolved minerals were wreaking havoc throughout our home's plumbing system.

I started calculating the hidden costs: extra detergent for laundry, frequent replacement of faucet aerators, premature appliance failure, and the endless bottles of lotion my family went through trying to combat dry skin. The monthly expense was adding up to nearly $75 in products and repairs that shouldn't have been necessary.

Research Journey: Why I Chose the SoftPro Elite HE

After that eye-opening conversation with the water heater technician, I dove deep into researching water treatment solutions. I spent weeks reading about different technologies, comparing ion exchange systems, salt-free conditioners, and combination units that could address multiple water quality issues simultaneously.

What made the SoftPro Elite HE stand out was its dual-purpose design.
Unlike traditional softeners that only remove hardness minerals, this system combines high-efficiency water softening with advanced filtration capabilities. The unit uses precision-engineered resin beads for ion exchange while incorporating activated carbon filtration to remove chlorine, taste, and odor issues.

I was particularly impressed by the system's third-generation control valve technology. The Pentair Fleck 5600SXT control head uses metered regeneration, meaning it only regenerates based on actual water usage rather than a preset timer. This efficiency feature appealed to my practical side – why waste salt and water if you don't need to?

The capacity specifications were perfect for our household of four. With a 48,000-grain capacity, the system could handle our daily water usage of approximately 280 gallons while providing consistent softening performance. I calculated that we'd see regeneration cycles roughly every 6-7 days, which seemed reasonable for maintenance.

Certification was another crucial factor in my decision. The SoftPro Elite HE carries NSF/ANSI Standard 44 certification for water softening performance and NSF/ANSI Standard 42 certification for chlorine reduction. These third-party validations gave me confidence in the system's performance claims.

Unboxing and Initial Setup Experience

When the SoftPro Elite HE arrived, I was immediately impressed by the packaging quality. Everything was securely wrapped and protected, with clear labeling on each component. The main unit weighs about 120 pounds when empty, so I definitely needed help moving it into position.

The build quality exceeded my expectations from the moment I unpacked it.
The mineral tank features a durable fiberglass construction with a polyethylene liner, and the control valve felt substantial and well-engineered. All the fittings were high-quality brass and stainless steel – no cheap plastic components that might fail over time.

The instruction manual was surprisingly comprehensive, with clear diagrams and step-by-step installation guidance. As someone who's moderately handy but not a professional plumber, I appreciated the detailed explanations of each connection and the troubleshooting section for common installation challenges.

I decided to hire a licensed plumber for the installation, partly because our water main required some additional plumbing modifications, and partly because I wanted to ensure everything was done correctly from day one. The professional installation took about 3 hours and cost $285, which I considered reasonable for the complexity of the work.

Installation Process and First Impressions

The installation required installing a bypass valve system and integrating the unit into our main water line before it reaches the water heater. Our plumber needed to install new shut-off valves and create a dedicated drain line for the regeneration discharge.

One challenge we encountered was the electrical connection.
The control valve requires a standard 110V outlet, but our utility room didn't have power in the ideal location. We had to run a new electrical line, which added about $150 to the installation cost. I mention this because it's something to consider during your planning phase.

After installation, the initial startup process was straightforward. The control valve has an intuitive programming interface where I set our water hardness level, household size, and regeneration preferences. The system automatically calculates optimal regeneration timing based on these parameters.

The first regeneration cycle occurred about 48 hours after installation. I was curious about the process, so I observed the entire cycle. It takes approximately 90 minutes and uses about 45 gallons of water plus roughly 8 pounds of salt. The system operates quietly – much quieter than I expected. You can hear water flowing during regeneration, but it's not disruptive.

Within 24 hours of installation, I noticed the first improvements. Our morning coffee tasted noticeably cleaner, without that metallic undertone I'd grown accustomed to. My wife mentioned that her hair felt different after her first shower – less tangled and easier to manage.

Performance Results After Extended Use

Now, several months into ownership, I can provide a comprehensive assessment of the SoftPro Elite HE's real-world performance. The results have been consistently impressive across multiple areas of our daily water usage.

The most dramatic improvement has been in our appliances' performance.
Our dishwasher now leaves glassware spotless without any additional rinse aid products. I tested this by running the same load of dishes before and after installation – the difference was remarkable. Previously cloudy glassware now comes out crystal clear, and we've eliminated the need for expensive spot-prevention products.

I've been monitoring our soap and detergent usage, and we've reduced consumption by approximately 40%. Soft water allows soaps and detergents to lather more effectively, so a little goes much further. Our monthly household product expenses have decreased by about $25, which helps offset the system's operational costs.

Water testing results have been excellent. Pre-installation, our water tested at 18 grains per gallon hardness. Post-installation testing consistently shows 0-1 grains per gallon, indicating near-complete hardness removal. Chlorine levels dropped from 2.1 PPM to less than 0.1 PPM, eliminating the chemical taste and odor.

The system's efficiency has exceeded manufacturer specifications. Based on our usage patterns, regeneration occurs every 6-7 days, consuming approximately 8 pounds of salt per cycle. This translates to roughly 45-50 pounds of salt monthly for our family of four, which costs about $12-15 depending on salt prices.

Daily Living Impact and Long-Term Benefits

The transformation in our daily water experience goes beyond just technical performance metrics. Every member of our household has noticed significant improvements in their daily routines and comfort.

My wife's skincare routine has simplified considerably.
She no longer needs heavy moisturizers after every shower, and her hair requires fewer conditioning treatments. Our teenage daughter mentioned that her skin feels less dry, especially during winter months when indoor heating typically exacerbates skin irritation.

Household cleaning has become noticeably easier and more effective. Soap scum buildup in our shower has virtually disappeared, and bathroom fixtures stay cleaner longer. I spend probably 30 minutes less per week on bathroom cleaning, and the results are better than when I was using harsh chemical cleaners to combat mineral deposits.

Our water-using appliances are showing signs of improved longevity. The coffee maker no longer requires monthly descaling treatments, and our steam iron operates without the mineral buildup that previously caused performance issues. These improvements should translate to extended appliance life and reduced replacement costs over time.

One unexpected benefit has been improved water pressure throughout the house. By eliminating mineral buildup in pipes and fixtures, water flows more freely. Our showerheads maintain consistent pressure, and faucet aerators don't clog with mineral deposits like they used to.

The environmental impact has been positive as well. We've eliminated bottled water purchases for drinking and cooking, saving approximately $30 monthly while reducing plastic waste. The system's efficient operation means we're not wasting excessive water or salt during regeneration cycles.

Operational Costs and Maintenance Reality

Understanding the true cost of ownership has been important for budgeting and evaluating the system's value proposition. I've tracked all expenses since installation to provide accurate operational cost information.

Monthly salt consumption averages 45-50 pounds for our family of four.
I buy salt in bulk from warehouse stores, paying approximately $6-8 for 50-pound bags. This translates to roughly $12-15 monthly in salt costs, which is quite reasonable considering the benefits we're receiving.

Water usage during regeneration cycles adds approximately $8-10 to our monthly water bill. Each cycle uses about 45 gallons, and with regeneration occurring weekly, that's roughly 180 gallons monthly. While this represents additional water usage, the efficiency gains in other areas largely offset this cost.

Electricity consumption is minimal. The control valve uses approximately 12 watts during operation and remains on standby most of the time. I estimate this adds less than $3 monthly to our electrical bill – essentially negligible.

Maintenance requirements have been minimal and straightforward. Every two months, I add salt to the brine tank, which takes about 5 minutes. I check the system's operation monthly by reviewing the control valve display and ensuring regeneration cycles are occurring as scheduled.

Annual maintenance includes replacing the pre-filter cartridge and conducting a basic system inspection. The pre-filter costs about $25 and takes 10 minutes to replace. I also perform an annual cleaning of the brine tank, which involves removing any salt residue and ensuring proper operation.

Final Assessment: Is the SoftPro Elite HE Worth the Investment

After extensive real-world use, I can confidently recommend the SoftPro Elite HE to homeowners dealing with hard city water issues.
The system has delivered on every performance promise while providing additional benefits I hadn't fully anticipated.

The combination of water softening and filtration in a single unit provides exceptional value compared to installing separate systems. Installation complexity is reasonable for professional installation, and the ongoing operational costs are manageable and largely offset by savings in other household expenses.

Build quality appears excellent for long-term durability. All components feel substantial and well-engineered, from the control valve to the mineral tank construction. The NSF certifications provide confidence in performance standards and quality control.

For households with hard water above 10 grains per gallon, this system will provide noticeable improvements in daily water quality, appliance protection, and overall comfort. The initial investment pays for itself through reduced cleaning product usage, appliance protection, and improved quality of life.

The system isn't perfect – it requires regular salt additions and periodic maintenance. However, these requirements are minimal compared to the benefits provided. Installation costs can add significantly to the total investment, especially if electrical work is required.

Overall, the SoftPro Elite HE has exceeded my expectations and transformed our home's water quality. The combination of performance, efficiency, and reliability makes it an excellent choice for homeowners serious about addressing hard water problems comprehensively.