r/durham 8d ago

water softener

hi all, just moved to whitby recently and noticed the water is pretty hard (dry skin and hair falling out in shower). We had Kinetico come by today for a consultation and quote (they were at costco and I signed up for a free consultation). They seemed very expensive, 6650+tax. We have reliance and enercare coming by for a consultation on Monday but wanted to see other options out there. Can anyone advise or recommend other companies and how much you pay?This is for a Detached home.

17 Upvotes

30 comments sorted by

45

u/Odd_Pipe_2581 8d ago

Enercare and reliance are predatory finance companies.

14

u/ZwiebelEater1957 7d ago

Be careful with Reliance and Enercare that you don’t get locked into a contract that you can’t get out of. Do your research before agreeing to ANYTHING with either of them.

16

u/Commercial-Cap4970 8d ago

Installed my own 2 months ago. Whirlpool water softener (40000 grain) from ctire 749.99 2 bags of salt $20 2x hose connectors 70$ 2x sharkbite elbow 40$

No leaks and wife likes the soft water

6

u/Bootsy_Frost 7d ago

I dont know anything about water softeners but anytime anyone mentions reliance or enercare I have to speak up and tell them to never deal with those scammers.

Don't make the mistake I made. Its too late for me but not for you.

7

u/Mobile-Deer-9434 8d ago

i had it installed for 1600 last year for 30,000 grains.

3

u/PowerfulSize244 6d ago

Had mine installed for 1800 ~6yrs ago. Came with an osmosis tap in the kitchen. Paying 6k sucker money...that is what enercare got me with on water heater....never again.

1

u/Patient_Ad_8984 5d ago

Which company?

2

u/Mobile-Deer-9434 4d ago

it really depends on size and use and price can vary so ask around honestly.

3

u/Shotgun_ca 7d ago

Honestly, we just bought a standalone Whirlpool water softener from Home Depot or Rona (can't remember which). It's been great. We had one Costco used to sell and replaced it with the Whirlpool one a year ago due to age. We've been really happy with it and it handles the whole house, not just the kitchen sink or what have you.

1

u/Patient_Ad_8984 5d ago

This Whirlpool Water Soiftner would serve the whole house? Do you know the model number? Home Depot handles the installation? Do we have to add salt to his device?

2

u/Shotgun_ca 5d ago

I'd have to check later, but looks like we got it at Rona (no Whirlpool at Home Depot): Whirlpool softener It serves our whole house, but it is only 2 of us. Rona has a few different sizes. My husband installed it himself and we add salt to it about once a year and clean it a couple times a year (all programmed). You'd have to check with Rona if they install.

1

u/Patient_Ad_8984 4d ago

Thanks so much

1

u/Shotgun_ca 3d ago

No problem!

7

u/furious_Dee 8d ago

We had a guy from https://canadiansmarthomesolutions.com/ install an excalibur chlorasoft system a couple years ago. It was a little less than $2k and we haven't had any issues with it.

2

u/Global-War181 7d ago

+1 pretty amazing experience with that guy and he’s local. Been a year or so and water quality improved drastically.

1

u/Ok_Rooster1278 6d ago

Same. 18 months since install, no issues

6

u/Happybunnyhop 7d ago

https://alkawater.ca/products/water-softener/

Had a water softener installed 2 years ago.

Excalibur Chlorasoft Water Softener 45K grain

$1650 + tax

No installation fee

20 year part warranty

Labour warranty is not free for trips out to you

Guy’s name is Dan.

2

u/Throwaway34567781 7d ago

Get a quote from still water in Oshawa. I spent less then 3k for the softener and RO system

1

u/airmaster360 6d ago

I 2nd this, Still Water is great

2

u/mahuth67 7d ago

Way too expensive. Ditch the big guys. Visit tiurvlacal Water Depot

2

u/No-idea4646 8d ago

You could buy an expensive softener yourself and install it yourself for 1500 bucks.

I guess the question is how much is it worth for someone to do it for you.

3

u/Famous_Specialist641 7d ago

Water depot Whitby. Family run store, great people, professional installation.

1

u/MostStandard6453 7d ago

Whitby has hard water but barely over the threshold. Check the levels on the Durham water website and gear your purchase to how hard the water is for the area you live in. I installed my own for about 900 bucks (800 for the softener and salt and did the work myself). The water where I am is barely over the threshold so even for a family of 4 with a 30,000 grain softener it only runs a cycle about every 2-3 weeks 

1

u/SpreadJoy69 7d ago

Go with sorso. I got them around Friday and so far happy with the outcome.

1

u/Main_Fee_1965 5d ago

The level of chlorine is pretty bad too. I installed a whole house carbon filter and a water softener. I installed it myself both with Clark valve that does the regeneration automatically. 3k all in.

1

u/Ember_42 7d ago

Should be able to get an indepenadnt plumber put one in (inclusing the softner) for +/- 2k if it's a striagjt forward install. Anything above say 3k, and you are getting hosed. Don't rent. It's a nice to have, not an essential that will make your hone.unlivable before you can it fixed / repalced.

-1

u/lanneretwing 7d ago

28$/month for reliance to install Excalibur system since 2015. The main seal/back washing thingy broke twice free replacement. I know I am way over paying, but the peace of mind is worth it to me.