[handieman]

Good Question Steve

Being used to softened water at our northern home, we weren't too happy when we took our first showers in The Villages. We tolerated it for a few visits (we haven't permanently relocated) but I finally gave in when shopping at Walmarts one evening. They had two sizes of softeners and the prices were lower than the home improvement stores. Being a semi professional handieman, I installed it in the garage along the left wall of a patio villa immediately adjacent to the house shutoff. The depth was perfect. The water is great now and we set it for vacation mode when gone. It comes with a bypass valve for washing or watering when softened water is not necessary.
PS: Don't attempt to install this yourself unless you have had experience with CPVC plumbing