[jrref]

Originally Posted by biker1

There are water softeners available for $600. Typically, they will last 10-15 years, at which point you should just replace them because the resin, which does the ion exchange, will probably have deteriorated. A carbon block filter (Big Blue compatible 20" x 4" is a popular choice and readily available on Amazon and other sites), before the water softener, may extend the life of the resin by removing chlorine, which deteriorates the resin. While you might be able to replace the resin, why bother? Virtually all water softeners will provide bypassed unsoftened water during regeneration; the water does not cut off. Some actually have 2 resin tanks, which alternate regenerating, so you never have bypassed unsoftened water during regeneration. I don’t really think that is necessary. Mine regenerates in about 20 minutes at 2AM and bypasses unsoftenened water during regeneration. I paid about $600 and put it in myself. Regarding whether you need a water softener in our location, it is a personal chance. Our water is pretty hard at 12 grains per gallon, which I measured. To provide context, there are areas in the country with twice that level. Softened water has essentially 0 grains per gallon. I measure mine each year to verify that the water softener is functioning correctly.

So why should someone pay $2,700 for a Pegasus?