Quote:
Originally Posted by jrref
As far as water softeners are concerned, you are correct in that the flow rate should not change given the size of the tank but as also mentioned, depending on the water softener size and flow rate through the softener, these variables will determine how efficiently the water will be softened by the softener and how many times the tank needs to be cleaned with the brine solution. Do you realize you can use as much as 50 gallons of water when the softener is in it's regeneration cycle? So more cycles is not better. It's also possible to have too much water flow where the softener is not be able to "keep-up" and the water not softened the desired amount. The chemical reaction in the softener tank has to have enough time to complete so the softener has to be sized to the anticipated water flow rate through it. Finally, the size of the brine tank is only as large as the amount of brine needed to clean the resin in the softener. The Nova brine tank may be physically larger than the tank in the All-in-one units but the volume of brine is similar.
As far as the flow rate and pressure drop when installing water filters, according to my research, 20 inch filters will have more surface area for the water to flow. So 20 inch water filters should be able to run at twice the flow rate for the same pressure drop as a 10 inch water filter with the same filtration technology. That said, if you want to change the filters less often and guarantee better water flow rate throughout the life of the filter, then it's best to go with the 20 inch cannister.
Here is one reference:
Most Common Water Filter and Water Treatment Questions - WaterFilters.NET.
At the end of the day, you are comparing a do-it-yourself option to a non-do-it-yourself option. There is no right or wrong. All companies have there "complaints and problem installs". I can tell you stories I've heard about most systems installed here in the Villages. There is no perfect company.
I believe the Nova filter and softener is specifically designed for the typical water usage of homes here in the Villages. Given the number of systems installed and the length of time here in the Villages, and the convenience they offer, gives a lot of credibility to the integrity of the company. |
Unless a filter is full of sediment, the only restriction on the quantity of water that enters the house is the size of the pipe. A functioning filter, whether 10" or 20", sediment or charcoal, will always pass enough water to fill the pipes in a Villages house and at the normal pressure.
Some people buy Mercedes and others buy Fords. Either one will get you where you want to go. Some people spend thousands on reverse osmosis water systems instead of hundreds on canister filters and salt based water softeners. If you want a decent system consisting of a softener and filters, and have it installed, buy the Nova. If you want to save a few dollars, buy a Rheem or GE softener at Home Depot and the iSpring filter, and install them yourself. If not, Home Depot will set you up with a licensed plumber and guarantee his work. Another option is to hire one of the many local "handymen" to do the job. If you are not going to be changing the filters yourself, buy the 20" model. If you are going to change the filters yourself, you'll be a lot happier if you buy the 10" model. If you don't want to, or are not able to, drag a couple of 25 lb bags of salt home from Ace Hardware once or twice a year, hire a handyman.