Water conditioner/filter/softener
 

Hi,

I’m looking to have a whole house system put in and would like to know what systems are used and the reliability of the unit and company.

Thank you

I have used Sears systems for over 50 years and everyone went beyond the rated 10 year warranty, no idea what I am going to use now, these were all DIY and all were great. The current system is a water softener and whole house filter, going on 10.5 years.

installed Nova in 3 homes. In one home removed Pelican and installed Nova.

Stay away from NOVA. You have been warned.

Nova is what everyone recommended to us... I was wondering if people recommended them because its just who everyone uses... would love to hear more. Feel free to PM..

Water treatment systems in general are overpriced. People move to the Villages and tend to get all crazy about water and fall "hook-line-and-sinker" for the water person's sales pitch. The residential water treatment systems all basically use the same process for filtration and softening but you tend to pay way more for systems like Pelican. I'm not saying that their systems are not good, they are very good but you are paying more and may not be getting any better water.

I have the Nova filter and water softener installed now for almost 3 years and have had zero problems. I test my water and all is good. No matter what company you go with, here is what you need to know. Here in the Villages our domestic water supply is very good. No heavy metals or other dangerous contaminants at levels that we need to worry about. But we do get a lot of sediment and the water treatment folks use a LOT of chlorine in the water and it varies day to day and week to week. That said, you first want a three stage water filter system to remove the sediment and chlorine in the water. Nova and other systems use sediment and carbon block filters to accomplish this. If you are a DIY'r you can get an Express Water filter from Amazon for example but if you are not handy, call a professional like Nova.

Since our water is slightly hard, you may want in addition to get a water softener. Salt systems are mostly used but there are other more exotic systems that you can get that don't use salt. Either way, you can get a water softener in a single unit or in what I call separates where you have separate resin and brine tanks. They both work the same, just different physical setup. So you might say what's the difference? The difference is price, installation, reliability, and responsiveness of the company you use. Nova and Pelican have been installing systems in the Villages for many years. Are there installation and or maintenance problems from time to time, yes, but that's just the way it is. I've heard of people with single unit water softeners having the embedded carbon filter go bad, the resin going bad, all kinds of failures over time. I've heard of people claiming their water filtration system leaked but only to find out their hot water expansion tank went bad and the pressure in the house went way above normal causing the problem. The point is, there are lots of "stories and experiences" but we often don't hear about all the background and just assume. At the end of the day there is no "perfect" system. Everything installed in your home needs to be monitored and maintained from time to time.

What I can tell you from experience is the owner of Nova lives here in the Villages and has done research to customize their system to our water to get the most efficiency out of the system. They are also very responsive in my experience and easy to just call them to do the work and you are done. They can also come out once a year and replace your filters and they are reasonibly priced. For a Villager they provide a good service that's easy to use which is why many in the Villages use them. When they come to do the install they will also check your hot water expansion tank and pressures if you have one to make sure it's working as well. Their system also has easy to read pressure gauges that you can check from time to time to make sure the water pressure in your home is normal.

You can also go to Home Depot, Lowes, online or Amazon and get a system but it needs to be installed by a plumber and you are then responsible to deal with the water softener company and the plumber if something goes wrong.

I tend to perfer a system configured in "separates" like Nova installs vs the single unit that Pelican and other's install because of ease of maintenance. Also, what most don't know is in a single unit, on most systems there is a embedded carbon filter in the softener. Chlorine damages the resin so you want to filter that out first. These manufactureds say the carbon filter will last so there is no need to change it but in reality, I'm not sure that's true and you would need to test your water for chlorine at least once a year to verify this. This is why I like the three stage filtration system ahead of the softener. Every year to 18 months you just change the filter cartridges, (you can do this yourself), and you know you have a fresh new filter media and there is no guessing on what's going on.

Water filtration and softening is not "rocket science" and anyone coming in you home and testing your water and telling you it's really bad here in the Villages is not being truthful. So I hope all this information helps you make a more informed decision on how to proceed with water filtration and softening here in the Villages.

7 years with Nova
 

I recommend Nova - reasonable cost, separate components for maintenance, responsive on service needs.

We installed Nova filters & water softener for the whole house 7 years ago when we moved in. The water softener is potassium based vs salt based. The potassium softener is healthier and the discharge is not harmful to landscape/lawn. Unfourtney potassium is more expensive than the salt.

Our water has a hardness of 15 graines which is extreme. The Nova system brings it down to 0 graines. When we moved in 7 years ago (house 10 years old at that time) we noticed all the water fixtures, toilets, and mirrors (splatter from the sinks) had noticeable calcium deposits which we had to scrub off with CLR. That is not an issue now.

Probably the biggest benefit from the Nova system is the water taste - there isn't any!

We had Nova install their filter and softener system in 2 houses here. The individual parts (3 pre filters, resin tank and salt tank) is the best system IMO - especially for the price. Some people install just the softener and with our water that has sediment, this sediment can clog the resin in the softener tank causing it to prematurely need replacing. And as others have stated, chlorine also damages the resin. The pre filters are easily changed but I let Nova bring and replace them annually.

Don't be fooled. "Potassium" systems are still salt systems. It is potassium chloride. When most people think of salt, they think of table salt which is sodium chloride. There are endless salt compositions but the potassium chloride and sodium chloride are the 2 used to regenerate the resin in softeners. During regeneration, the water is dispensed usually in the landscape, the lawn or down the driveway. Either can damage concrete. Sodium chloride will kill plants. Potassium chloride is actually good for plants.

My softener drain is plumbed to a downspout that empties next to the curb so not much gets in the grass. I use sodium chloride. The cost savings over potassium chloride has more than paid for extending the downspout. Sodium chloride is about $9/ 40 lb bag and potassium chloride is about $40/ 40 lb bag. Both do the same job regenerating the resin. Some people are concerned about a possible sodium intake due to their health but it really doesn't add any significant amount of sodium to your drinking water. We use about 4 bags a year.

Pegasus, Rte 301, Wildwood. great customer service, will even deliver, for a fee

they were just so darn pushy, - we got repeated visits from salesmen who automatically assumed we'd buy. that was the main reason i avoided them when ready to shop

It's based on gallons used.
I'm 10 years into mine and I'm not even 1/2 thru.

We just drink and cook with gallon jugs of spring water from Publix. For the cost of installing a treatment system, and periodically replacing the filters, it would take practically forever for the cost of the water to become more expensive. Whenever we drive to our Florida home from up north we bring a couple 5 gallon containers of our delicious untreated water from our 300 foot deep well. That well water is about the only thing from up north that I ever miss when we go to the Villages.

Same here. Our re-sale came with a Pegasus system. We were using KCL, but it upset my wife's and the dog's lower GI system. We switched to NACL. Much cheaper and easier on the gut...

I do not understand the dog and your wife's problems. I periodically check our system, and I have never found salt in the house water, I am guessing that your system is malfunctioning. You can get a simple test kit from the pet store in the fish section.

I second Nova
Incredible system
Family owned
Live in the villages
I have had it for seven years
The other companies like Pelican send commissioned salesman to your home and attempt to sell way over reasonable retail

Same high pressure tactics they used on me

Does your whole house filter catch very much?

We use the whole house Nova system, no problems, water is great. We didn’t feel the need for a softener.

Be sure to check into lightning Rod systems, Deer whistles for the Car and the Golf Cart, monitored security system, crown molding, textured driveway, and elaborate landscaping. All are necessary essentials here in the Villages.

Don't Overbuy
 

The biggest mistake made by most people is buying a softener and filter system that has far too much capacity for their needs. For example, Nova is a reputable local seller/installer with a good product. However, both their softener and their 3-filter system is easily double or triple what is needed for a two person household. Instead, go to Home Depot or Lowes and buy a basic softener where the exchange tank sits inside the plastic bin that holds the salt. GE has a nice unit, although there are many similar ones. Next, buy a two-filter system (Nova sells a three-filter unit, the third filter being for heavy metals, which is completely unnecessary with The Village's water). Again, HD or Lowes has what you will need. Finally, buy the 10 inch model filter and not the 20 inch filters. One is for sediment and the other of activated charcoal is to remove the chlorine smell. Again, the 10 inch filters are more than you will ever need. However, the best reason to buy 10 inch filters is that the 20 inch models are very difficult to change. The filters are vertical and the plastic body screws into the metal head. When changing the filters (most likely once/year), you will be working on your knees, wrestling with a large wrench that slips over the plastic body, and unscrewing the plastic body upside down. The filter and body are filled with water and are very heavy, particularly as you will be working in an awkward position. That's why it is much easier with the 10 inch vs. 20 inch filters. Changing the 10 inch filters once/year is more than enough. Once/year with the 20 inch filters is overkill. You'll know when you need to change the filters when the chlorine smell returns.

If you have minimal DIY skills, you can install the system yourself. It is nothing more than cutting, fitting and gluing plastic pipes. You will need an electric drill to install the two, three, or four concrete bolts in the concrete block where you will be mounting the head of the filters. You can photograph and measure any of your neighbor's or friend's systems. There are several videos on YouTube. If you don't like doing it yourself, there are plenty of plumbers and handymen to do the job.

If you had a softener/filter system at a previous home, you know their benefits. If this will be your first system, you'll be amazed how much better the water will smell; how there will be no "white" build-up on your faucets and shower head, how much better your skin and hair will feel after showering; how there is no soap "scum" on your bathtub or shower walls, and how much cleaner your clothes are after being laundered.

Unhappy with Nova
 

We have a Nova system, softener and filter, and are very unhappy with the performance. The water is barely soft, we have mineral stains on our fixtures and get water spots when washing the car. The softener has failed more than once and we have had several service calls just to get back to barely soft performance. The filters need to be changed every four months based on our volume usage.

We will probably swap to a new system should the Nova fail again.

I am bypassing the Pelican system and searching for another one. Pentair was not helpful with my problems with Pelican, so I would not recommend that company, nor the system.

Something is wrong. Unless you drilled your own well in your backyard, you should have none of the complaints you've listed with any water softener (I'm trying to be humorous-even if you drilled your own well, a softener/filter would eliminate your problems). The "matrix" inside the exchange tank can fail, but this is unusual. If it does, you have to swap out the tank (the black cylinder). I'd be inclined to check the "clock" that programs the softener's cycles. Also, check that the "bypass" valves in the plumbing are closed and that all incoming water is going through the filters and the softener.

We use Nova and are happy with the system and company.

As I search for a substitute for the whole house Pelican system, I'm using a countertop distiller to purify my drinking water. It hums away on my porch, where I've stationed it to minimize the noise and heat it generates.

We used Culligan when we moved in a little over 2 years ago, no issues, we put in a softener and whole house filter system. It may cost you a little more than the other systems, but there is no comparison, have been using Culligan systems for nearly 30 years. Culligan of Ocala - 352-291-5900

Nova
 

I would recommend Nova Water Systems.

I had installed Pelican about 6 years ago and it works perfectly, I use to change my refrigerator water filter every 4 months because it would clog with settlement. After it was installed, I never had to change it again.

Now for the bad news, the company itself was going through some changes and were becoming unreliable and were overcharging for their maintenance service.

The good news was I was approached by a service man who no longer worked for the company who drains the tanks and changes the filter twice a year and the UV light once a year which is on a timer. The cost $300 a year less than the company was charging, and I have clean water throughout the house. You can learn how to maintain it yourself, but at my age I'd rather let someone take care of it. Also, the refrigerator filters were about $60 a pop so if you deduct that amount from the $300, I'm only paying $120 for the yearly service.

Why? We love ours.

Which system do you need to stop the calcium buildup on the faucets? Filters, water softener, or both?

i have both, & get very little sediment. it's great for washing hair & showering as well as controlling buildup. the rep did say not all Villages H20 is the same. our end south of 44 isn't as bad as others nearby

Please be mindful a softener doesn't filter water it only softens, you need a filter more importantly.
We install filters without softeners also but can add one to the filter system later on.

We never knock on doors or pressure sell or over price you like others.
Don't let the door knockers "Sell you a Bill of Goods"

UP-front pricing
The filter is $695 installed
Softener is $1095 installed at same time or added later

See Nova Filters

call for more info 352.566.2649

Bob (a Village Resident)

We shopped around, acquired multiple estimates and got a great system from Jeff Ursu, who can be reached at 352-653-7708. We've had the system for 2 years and are very pleased with it.

You need a filter not a softener alone

First of all, I like the careful response of JRRef. We also noticed fluctuating sediment and chlorine problems, and decided to go with Nova. We went with a simple system for house water and have a Pur drinking water polisher. Pur is similar to Brita, etc.

We investigated Pelican and other treatment systems, determined the level of treatment we wanted, and initial and operating costs. Nova won for now. We have had the system for 5 years.

There is no need to buy an airplane with all the bells and whistles just to drive to the local pub. Well, for many of us I guess.

Thanks for the kind reply. I would really like to know what you get "extra" with some of these very expensive water filter/softener systems? I'm an engineer and have researched this topic extensively and I don't know why a filter & softener system from Nova can cost about $1,600 vs many more expensive ones $2,500 and up. I used Pelican only as an example because they sell a lot here in the Villages. Their systems are very good and my neighbor got one for $3,300 but I just don't see the difference in the filtering and softening process.

If you go on-line you can find many companies selling these systems and the filter replacements. In most cases like Express Water, you can see the spec's on the filters and if they have been tested or not. That said, if you compare two filter/softener systems with the same specs, why does one cost dramatically more than the other in many cases? Maybe the warrenty?

It removes all the chlorine and sediment which is the main problem with the water here in the Villages. The amount of sediment caught will depend on where in the Villages you live.

Check out Kinieco not the cheapest but we like it

I know you "mean well" with your response and you have a lot of good information but a couple of corrections. The "Capacity" of the system relates to how many gallons per minute can it "process". This is important because when you are taking a shower and washing cloths at the same time or have the dishwasher running or someone flushes the toilet, you want to make sure you have enough water for all these devices. The Nova system, as you mentioned was sized for a typical home in the Villages meaning there are one or two residents vs a whole large family. I believe the system is good for 1-4 residents but the point is that it's not oversized. No matter which system you get, the filters and the softener have a maximun flow rate at a given water pressure and it's pretty consistent across filter types. This is why if you get a Nova, or a Pelican or a Rheem or GE or whatever system that has filtration, they will always have a rating on it's capacity related to water usage in a home with "X" number of people living in it.

As far as the size of the filter cartridge, the 20 inch filters have 2X the flow rate as the 10 inch filters. In my opinion and experience using 20 inch filters, you need the 20 inch ones to get the flow rate needed in our homes here in the Villages. In my home with the 20 inch filters, if i'm taking a shower and my wife washes cloths or flushes the toilet, I can see a slight reduction in water pressure in the shower. Part of this is due to the filter flow rate and the other is the capacity of the softener. You may be able to "get away" with 10 inch filters but I don't think it's a good idea.

The Nova filter three stage filter consists of two sediment and a carbon block filter. The sediment removes the sediment as the names says. The carbon block filter removes the chlorine and other chemicales in the water. You need a carbon filter to remove the chlorine. That said, once you have the filter system in place, you can change the filters once a year yourself. Nova has a system where you can buy the filters from them and DIY. Or you can get exact replacements from Express Water or the other numerous filter companies on Amazon. If you want more filtration you can get a 5 micron sediment filter, a carbon filter and a carbon block filter for example. They will go into the system since they are standard replacements. You are correct you don't need any heavy metal filters. But this is good for a DIYer. If you are a typical Villager you just call Nova and don't worry about it. As you said, when changing the filters yourself, they are full of water and heavy so most Villagers probably won't want to or be able to change them, themselves.

As to the units that you refer to at the big box stores, they are very good as well. The Rheem unit is good and has wifi with an app so you can monitor it but the thing you need to remember is if you go the big box store route, no matter how it gets installed, by you or a plumber, You will be very involved if something goes wrong vs just calling Nova and let them take care of it.

As I mentioned, water filtration and softening is not rocket science. There is no right or wrong, just be aware of the conseques of your choices. There is no real magic technology out there that you can buy or would potentially buy for a residence here in the Villages that would make one system cost 2X the cost of another unless other services or extended warrenties were included. Hope this helps.

Have you found someone to service it with the change over?