water softner help in chosing and is this true

Doc_N

Windlepoons wrote: »

Any feedback from anyone would be appreciated.

Cheers

At the risk of boring everyone again with this, my personal preference would be Ecowater. This is based on 19 years of use now, with no servicing or repairs whatsoever. It was in storage for two years within that period, and although I expected problems when I had it plumbed into the new place, it started again perfectly without the slightest hitch.

However - and you'd need to research this properly - I suspect that the Tapworks models (same manufacturer) are mechanically more or less identical. Dealers may deny this because the prices (and profit margins) are much lower. I still don't know for certain whether they are mechanically identical or not, but if you can provide an answer - one way or the other - it would be very useful to this thread to have a definitive answer.

Windlepoons

I have sent ecowater UK an email regarding the ecowater ESM 9+.

If the price right I will go for the ecowater and get them to install it then take the Permutit back for a refund.

No doubt I will get the hard sales talk from them when they get back to me, but it really will be how much more expensive it is at the end of the day.

I will try and get some info on why the tapworks versions look identical.

The Permutit may well turn out to be a good device, I just cant find any information about it at all, which in my mind means it isnt used by many.

Doc_N

I think that's a sensible course of action, Windlepoons. Looking again at the Tapworks/Ecowater range, I see that they do now look quite different.

It's the actual mechanics/electronics that matter, though, and whether Ecowater can really justify a price which is getting on for twice that of the equivalent Tapworks model depends on what's underneath the case.

I'm certainly no expert on softeners. Just been using them for 30+ years, first Permutit (when it was very much the brand leader) and then Ecowater. If I were buying today I'd consider an Ecowater, but I'd first check out the equivalent Tapworks, which will be a lot cheaper.

One little tip - consider paying more for a larger model. Despite the initial cost, it will regenerate far less frequently than the 'right' model, which will reduce wear and tear and therefore repair costs. It may also reduce salt costs, but I'm less sure about that point.

Windlepoons

Have finally decided that I am going to return the permutit and get the Tapworks softener, it is £150 more expensive but seems to be a more recognised brand and will give me peace of mind.

The Ecowater plus installation was quoted at £1300, after looking about it seems that Ecowater owns the trademark for Tapworks, and their websites confirm they are both part of The Marmon Group Limited.

I dont know for sure if the models are identical, but there cant be much between it, definatly not enough to justify an extra £700.

Doc_N

Windlepoons wrote: »

Have finally decided that I am going to return the permutit and get the Tapworks softener, it is £150 more expensive but seems to be a more recognised brand and will give me peace of mind.

The Ecowater plus installation was quoted at £1300, after looking about it seems that Ecowater owns the trademark for Tapworks, and their websites confirm they are both part of The Marmon Group Limited.

I dont know for sure if the models are identical, but there cant be much between it, definatly not enough to justify an extra £700.

I think the extra £150 will be well worth it. Could you let us have your thoughts from time to time on the Tapworks model, perhaps?

It would be very useful to this thread - good or bad.

Windlepoons

sure no problem, when it arrives I'll have a look and see if there are any labels on the parts, might help see if they are the same as those used on the ecowater branded softeners

ihshaikh

ihshaikh wrote: »

Water Hardness Test
initially - took 14 drops to turn the water from pink to blue
now - 10 drops.

I would expect it to be less than 5.

a few more weeks on a the softener has softened the water however i dont think its working right (called the company that sold it to me - so far their service has been inadequate).

question i have is - on the meter there is a capacity setting - i guess for salt in KG - what should this be set at?

Called the supplier out and there was an issue with the water seal causing the softener not to work. This was fixed within 45 mins and the softener has been functioning perfectly for the past 5 weeks.

very pleased with the results. seems to do what it says on the tin.

Doc_N

This time, I'm the one hoping for a bit of advice.

My Ecowater is at last, 19 years on, looking to need some attention. I've just noticed that it's starting to need regenerating more frequently, which suggests to me that the resin probably neeeds replacing.

Any thoughts from the experts in here as to the likely cost, please, and whether it's likely to be worthwhile - as against the much greater cost (but greater longevity) of a new softener?

Windlepoons

I may be able to help, I have an 11L Vessel which I currently use to rinse the car when washed (soon to be consigned to the shed when the softener is installed).

With the Vessel I use for the car there is no regeneration chamber, and so I had no way of recharging the resin, as a result I replace the resin when the water hardness begins to leave marks. Once changed my hardness drops back down to 0ppm

If it is just the resin that is causing problems, it would be far cheaper to replace it.

I purchased mine from http://www.cleaningspot.co.uk/acatalog/De-Ionising_resin_and_water_softener_resin.html

I assume it is the same as used for in house softeners as its just an Ion Exchange resin (as advertised by http://www.wrekinwatersofteners.co.uk/wrekinwatersofteners/category_final.asp?department=Service%20Parts&category=Softener%20Resin), although it may be best to check with a place that sells it.

Doc_N

Thanks, Windlepoons - I think I'll probably have to get a service engineer to do the job (being useless at anything even vaguely mechanical) but that gives me a good idea of the cost of the resin.

I wonder how much a service engineer will try to charge. :eek: