/>Hi, I'm Grayson Z from Arizona. Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips reached out asking if I'd share my real homeowner experience with the SoftPro® Elite HE Water Softener for City Water (Industry's Best Softener & Filter Combo) that I installed last year. Here's exactly how my journey unfolded, and I genuinely hope this helps guide your decision.
The Hard Water Problem That Started Everything
Did you know that Arizona has some of the hardest municipal water in the United States?
I sure didn't when I first moved here. What I did know was that my brand-new dishwasher started leaving white spots on everything within the first month. My coffee maker needed descaling every few weeks, and honestly, my morning shower felt like I was washing with sandpaper.
The breaking point came when my wife pointed out the crusty white buildup around our kitchen faucet. "This isn't normal," she said, and she was absolutely right. I tested our municipal water with a basic hardness kit from the hardware store – 18 grains per gallon. That's considered "very hard" by any standard.
The real kicker? Our water heater started making weird rumbling sounds after just six months in the house. A quick Google search revealed that hard water mineral deposits were likely building up inside the tank, reducing efficiency and shortening its lifespan. Between potential appliance damage, increased soap usage, and the daily annoyance of dealing with mineral deposits everywhere, I knew we needed a solution.
Why I Chose the SoftPro Elite HE Over Other Options
>I'll be honest – I spent weeks researching water softeners. The market is flooded with options ranging from $500 big-box store units to $3,000 premium systems. What caught my attention about the SoftPro Elite HE was its dual functionality: water softening plus filtration in one unit.
Here's what sold me specifically:
The high-efficiency design promised to use 50% less salt and water during regeneration compared to traditional softeners. Living in Arizona where water conservation matters, this was huge. The system also includes carbon filtration to remove chlorine and improve taste – something basic softeners don't address.
The capacity rating of 64,000 grains meant it could handle our household of four with room to spare. Most importantly, the SoftPro Valve technology offered precise control over the regeneration process, regenerating only when actually needed based on water usage rather than a preset timer.
I also appreciated that this wasn't some rebranded generic system. SoftPro manufactures their own valves and https://www.trustpilot.com/review/softprowatersystems.com components, which meant better integration and support if issues arose down the road.
Installation Day: Easier Than Expected
I decided to hire a local plumber for installation, mainly because I wanted it done right the first time. The whole process took about four hours, including setting up the bypass valve system and programming the SoftPro Valve.
The unit itself is surprisingly compact for its capacity. We installed it in our garage next to the water heater, and it fits comfortably without crowding the space. The plumber was impressed with the build quality, particularly noting the robust SoftPro Valve and the quality of the resin tank.
What surprised me most?
The system started working immediately. Within hours, I could feel the difference in our shower water. That slippery, soft feeling that some people describe as "slimy" was actually just what clean, soft water feels like when you're used to hard water.
The initial setup required programming our water hardness level (18 gpg) and setting our household size. The SoftPro Valve automatically calculated optimal regeneration timing based on these parameters. No guesswork involved.
Real Performance Results After 8 Months
> Let me share the actual numbers because that's what really matters. I tested our water before and after installation using both test strips and a digital TDS meter.
Before SoftPro Elite HE:
• Water hardness: 18 grains per gallon
• Total dissolved solids: 420 ppm
• Noticeable chlorine taste and odor
After installation:
• Water hardness: 0-1 grains per gallon consistently
• TDS reduced to 380 ppm (the reduction comes from removing hardness minerals)
• Zero chlorine taste or smell
The system regenerates approximately every 8-10 days with our usage pattern. Each regeneration cycle uses about 42 gallons of water and roughly 6 pounds of salt – significantly less than the 80 gallons our neighbor's traditional softener uses.
The most dramatic change?
Our dishwasher now produces spotless dishes and glassware. I'm not exaggerating – crystal clear glasses every single time. The white buildup around faucets and showerheads completely disappeared within two weeks of installation.
Monthly Operating Costs and Efficiency
> This was a major concern for me upfront, so I've tracked every expense carefully. Here's the real-world breakdown:
Salt consumption: We go through about one 40-pound bag of solar salt per month, costing roughly $6. The high-efficiency design really delivers on its promise here – my neighbor with an older softener uses nearly twice as much salt for a similar household size.
Water usage for regeneration: Approximately 340 gallons per month for backwashing and rinsing. In Arizona, that adds about $2.50 to our monthly water bill.
Electricity: The SoftPro Valve uses minimal power – maybe $1 per month based on our usage tracking.
Total monthly operating cost: under $10. Compare that to the money we're saving on soap, shampoo, and cleaning products (soft water requires 50-75% less soap), plus the protection for our appliances, and the system more than pays for itself.
Unexpected savings?
Our water heater efficiency improved noticeably. Our monthly gas bill dropped by about $15-20, which I attribute to the water heater not working as hard to heat mineral-free water.
