Water Softener Comparison

Water Softener Comparison – Hague Hydroclean 3 vs. Fleck 5600 Ecominder

Cut away pictures from left: Ecowater, Kenmore, GE, Northstar, Generic Fleck, Generic Fleck with stainless sleeve, Rainsoft, Culligan.

Finally, a water softener comparison that can be used as a benchmark for an apples to apples comparison.

There are so many websites offering a water softener comparison that are pushing a product that they manufacture but cloak it in a sponsored “Water Softener Comparison” website.

For a true apples to apples comparison you need to compare systems that are in the same categories or explain that you are comparing systems with different technologies.

We love car analogies because most everyone can relate to buying a car.

There are many car brands. There are less car manufactures. General Motors makes Chevrolet, Ford makes Lincoln, Toyota makes Lexus and Honda makes Acura. Then there are manufactures that only manufacture one brand.

The same thing happens with water softeners. There used to me many water softener manufactures, now there are only 4.

 

 

Some manufactures offer gas powered cars, disal powered cars, hybrids, while others other full electric vehicles.

 

The Top 5 Water Softener Comparison Features

  • Grains of hardness removed per pound of salt
  • Gallons of water used per regeneration
  • Filtration Capability
  • Warranty
  • Certification

Grain Capacity

This is important for sizing the equipment based on water usage estimates and hardness.

When you shop for a car do you care how large the gas tank is, or are you more concerned with how many miles per gallon does it get?

  • Grain Capacity – The size of your car’s gas tank.
  • Grains of hardness removed per pound of salt- Miles per gallon in your car.

Softener Comparison Sheet

Grain Capacity
Grains removed / lb. of salt
Minutes / Regeneration
Water Usage / Regeneration
Warranty
Chemical Filtration 
$$
HydroClean3
Grain Capacity  
35,000
Grains Removed / lb. of salt 
5,880 
Minutes / Regeneration 
23 
Water Usage / Regeneration
21 
Warranty
5 year 
No 
$
Fleck 5600
Grain Capacity 
32,000
Grains Removed / lb. of salt
 2,182
Minutes / Regeneration 
80
Water Usage / Regeneration
150
Warranty
5 year
No 

Real World Water / Salt Usage Comparison

Regeneration
Salt used / Regeneration
Salt used / Month
Salt used/ Year 
Water Used / Regeneration
Water Used / Month
Water Used / Year
$
HydroClean3
LABEL 0
7 Times / Month
LABEL 1
5.5 lbs.
LABEL 2
38.5 lbs.
LABEL 3
462 lbs.
LABEL 4
21 Gal.
LABEL 5
147 Gal.
LABEL 6
1,764 Gal.
$
Fleck 5600
LABEL 0
7 Times / Month
LABEL 1
11 lbs.
LABEL 2
77 lbs.
LABEL 3
924 lbs.
LABEL 4
150 Gal.
LABEL 5
1,050 Gal.
LABEL 6
12,600 Gal.

Conclusion

In comparing these two units the HydroClean3 will save

  • 462 pounds of salt per year
  • 10,836 gallons of water per year

when compared to a Fleck 5600 Ecominder Softener.

The Hague HydroClean3 is clearly much more efficient, but it does cost more.

The only thing left to conclude…

Is it worth it?

Our customers think so.

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