Hi, I'm Martin O. I live in Montana.
Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips asked me to share my homeowner experience with local tap water from the city using the SoftPro® Elite HE Water Softener for City Water (Industry's Best Softener & Filter Combo) I purchased.
This is how my adventures played out. I hope this helps you in your decision.
The Hard Water Problem That Drove Me to Find a Solution
Did you know that Montana has some of the hardest water in the United States?
Living here in Montana, I thought the chalky white buildup on my faucets and the way my skin felt tight after every shower was just normal life. My wife constantly complained about how quickly our coffee maker would clog up, and don't even get me started on the soap scum in our shower that seemed impossible to clean no matter what products we tried.
The real wake-up call came when our water heater started making strange noises after only three years of use. A local plumber told me the mineral buildup was so severe that we'd need a replacement soon if we didn't address the hard water issue. That's when I realized this wasn't just about convenience—it was costing us real money.
Our city water tested at 18 grains per gallon of hardness, which puts us in the "very hard" category. The calcium and magnesium minerals were wreaking havoc on everything from our dishwasher to our washing machine. Clothes came out feeling stiff, dishes had spots no matter how much rinse aid I used, and our monthly soap and detergent bills were getting ridiculous because we needed so much more product to get anything clean.
I started researching water softeners about six months ago when I calculated we were spending an extra $40 per month on cleaning products, detergents, and appliance repairs directly related to hard water damage. The mineral deposits were also affecting our plumbing—I noticed reduced water pressure in several fixtures around the house.
My Research Journey: Why I Chose SoftPro Over the Competition [
](https://www.softprowatersystems.com/products/softpro-elite-basic-high-flow-high-efficiency-water-softener)
I'm the type of person who researches everything to death before making a purchase, especially for something this expensive. I spent weeks comparing different water softening technologies, reading reviews, and trying to understand the technical differences between systems.
Initially, I was looking at the typical salt-based ion exchange systems you see everywhere. The process seemed straightforward—hard water flows through resin beads that swap calcium and magnesium ions for sodium ions. But I quickly learned that not all ion exchange systems are created equal.
What caught my attention about SoftPro was their high-efficiency design.
Most traditional softeners regenerate based on time intervals, whether they need to or not. The SoftPro Elite HE uses demand-initiated regeneration, which means it only regenerates when the resin bed is actually exhausted. This translates to significant salt and water savings over time.
The filtration component was another major selling point. While most water softeners only address hardness minerals, the Elite HE includes a whole-house filter that removes chlorine, sediment, and other contaminants that affect taste and odor. Having both functions in one system appealed to me because it meant fewer components to maintain and less space required in our utility room.
I also appreciated that SoftPro manufactures their own SoftPro Valve rather than using third-party components like many competitors. This gave me confidence in their quality control and long-term support. The warranty terms were more comprehensive than what I found with other brands—10 years on the tank and SoftPro Valve, which showed they stood behind their engineering.
The final factor was sizing. Many companies try to sell oversized systems, but SoftPro's sizing calculator took into account our actual water usage patterns and hardness levels. For our household of four with 18 GPG hardness, they recommended the Elite HE 40, which handles 40,000 grains of hardness removal between regenerations.
Unboxing and First Impressions: Quality You Can See and Feel
When the SoftPro Elite HE arrived, I was immediately impressed by the packaging quality. Everything was securely wrapped and cushioned—clearly, this company understands they're shipping heavy, expensive equipment that needs to arrive in perfect condition.
The main tank is substantial—about 54 inches tall and 10 inches in diameter. The fiberglass construction feels solid, and the finish is clean and professional-looking. It's not something I'd be embarrassed to have visible in our utility room.
The SoftPro Valve is where you can really see the engineering quality.
It's a single-body design made from Noryl plastic, which is known for chemical resistance and durability. The digital display is clear and easy to read, with simple controls that don't require a engineering degree to understand. I've seen some competitor valves that look like they were designed in the 1980s—this definitely isn't one of them.
All the fittings and connections looked substantial. The bypass valve assembly was already pre-plumbed, which would save time during installation. The documentation was thorough without being overwhelming—clear installation diagrams, wiring instructions, and programming guides.
One detail that impressed me was the quality of the resin beads. SoftPro uses 8% crosslinked resin, which is more durable than the standard 6% crosslinking you find in cheaper systems. This means longer resin life and more consistent performance over time.
Installation Experience: Easier Than Expected with Professional Results
I'll be honest—I was nervous about installing this myself. I'm reasonably handy, but plumbing isn't my strongest skill, and I didn't want to mess up a $2,000 investment. However, after reviewing the installation manual and watching some online resources, I decided to tackle it myself with a local plumber on standby if needed.
The installation took me about 6 hours over a weekend, working at a comfortable pace. The most time-consuming part was running the drain line to our utility sink—about 15 feet of 1/2-inch tubing that needed to be routed carefully to avoid kinks or restrictions.
The bypass valve installation was straightforward once I understood the concept.
I needed to cut into the main water line entering our house and install the bypass assembly. Having a pipe cutter and torch for sweating copper joints was essential. The pre-assembled bypass made this much easier than trying to piece together individual components.
Wiring the SoftPro Valve was surprisingly simple. It just plugs into a standard 110V outlet—no hardwiring required. The low-voltage connections for the regeneration motor and position switches are clearly labeled and virtually foolproof.
The initial startup sequence was well-documented. I had to manually initiate the first regeneration cycle to properly condition the resin bed and flush out any manufacturing residue. The system ran through its complete cycle in about 90 minutes, using approximately 25 gallons of water and 3 pounds of salt for the regeneration.
Programming the SoftPro Valve was intuitive. I entered our water hardness level (18 GPG), set the regeneration time for 2 AM when we wouldn't be using water, and configured the system for our household size. The demand-initiated regeneration algorithm handles everything else automatically.
Performance Testing: Real Numbers After Six Months of Use
The transformation in our water quality was immediate and dramatic.
Within 24 hours of installation, I could feel the difference in our shower water. My skin didn't have that tight, dry feeling anymore, and my wife noticed her hair felt softer and more manageable.
I tested the water hardness before and after installation using a digital TDS meter and hardness test strips. Our incoming city water consistently measures 18 grains per gallon (about 300 PPM). After the SoftPro Water Systems Elite HE treatment, the hardness drops to less than 1 grain per gallon—essentially zero hardness.
The chlorine removal is equally impressive. Our city adds about 2 PPM of chlorine for disinfection, which creates a noticeable taste and odor. The filtration component reduces this to undetectable levels. Coffee and tea taste noticeably better, and the swimming pool smell is completely gone from our drinking water.
Water pressure remained excellent throughout the house.
I was concerned about pressure drops, but even with simultaneous showers and dishwasher operation, we maintain good flow rates. The system is rated for 12 GPM continuous flow, which exceeds our household demand.
The regeneration cycles occur about every 8-10 days with our usage patterns. The system uses approximately 2.5 pounds of salt per regeneration cycle, which translates to about one 40-pound bag of salt every 2-3 months. This is significantly less than the weekly regeneration schedule our neighbors experience with their timer-based systems.
I've tracked our soap and detergent usage, and we're using about 50% less laundry detergent and 40% less dish soap compared to before installation. The cost savings on cleaning products alone is running about $25-30 per month, which helps offset the operational costs of the system.
Daily Life Improvements: The Benefits You Notice Every Day
The most noticeable improvement is in our bathroom and kitchen. The white, chalky buildup on faucets and showerheads is completely gone. Our shower doors stay cleaner longer, and when I do clean them, it takes about half the time and effort it used to require.
Our dishes come out of the dishwasher spotless without any rinse aid.
Before the water softener, even with rinse aid, our glassware had a cloudy film that was impossible to remove. Now everything comes out crystal clear, and our dishware looks like new again.
Laundry results have been remarkable. Our clothes feel softer, colors seem brighter, and whites are actually white again. Towels that had become scratchy and rough are now fluffy and absorbent. We've also noticed that clothes seem to last longer—the mineral deposits were apparently contributing to fabric wear.
My wife's biggest joy is how much easier housecleaning has become. The soap scum in our shower used to require aggressive scrubbing with harsh chemicals. Now, a quick wipe with a mild cleaner keeps everything spotless. The time savings on cleaning chores is probably 2-3 hours per week.
Our appliances are performing better too.
The coffee maker that used to clog every few weeks now runs smoothly. Our washing machine cycles seem more effective, and I haven't seen any new mineral buildup in our dishwasher or water heater. The plumber who serviced our water heater six months post-installation commented that the mineral accumulation had completely stopped.
Even unexpected benefits have emerged. Our humidifier runs more efficiently in winter because there's no mineral dust coating the heating element. The ice from our refrigerator is crystal clear instead of cloudy, and plants watered with the softened water seem healthier.
Operating Costs and Efficiency: The Real Financial Picture
Let me break down the actual costs I've tracked over six months of operation. Salt consumption averages about 7-8 pounds per month, costing roughly $3-4 monthly if I buy salt in bulk. The system regenerates every 8-10 days, using about 25 gallons of water per cycle, which adds roughly $2-3 to our monthly water bill.
Total monthly operating costs are running about $6-8, which is lower than I expected.
When I factor in the savings on soap, detergent, cleaning products, and reduced appliance maintenance, we're actually saving money each month compared to our pre-softener expenses.
The electricity consumption is minimal—the SoftPro Valve only draws power during regeneration cycles, and the display uses less energy than a digital clock. I estimate less than $2 per month in additional electricity costs.
The biggest financial benefit has been avoiding appliance replacement and repair costs. Our water heater is operating efficiently, our dishwasher and washing machine aren't showing signs of mineral damage, and our plumbing fixtures maintain proper flow rates. Based on what our neighbors have spent on appliance repairs and replacements due to hard water damage, I estimate we're avoiding $300-500 annually in these costs.
The return on investment timeline looks very favorable.
Between direct savings on cleaning products and avoided repair costs, the system should pay for itself in about 4-5 years. Given the 10-year warranty and expected 15-20 year lifespan, the long-term economics are compelling.
I've also noticed reduced soap and shampoo usage in personal care. A little goes much further in soft water, and we're replacing these products about half as frequently as before. These smaller savings add up to meaningful amounts over time.
Maintenance Reality: What Ongoing Ownership Actually Requires
The maintenance requirements have been refreshingly minimal.
The primary task is keeping the salt reservoir filled, which I check about once a month. The clear salt tank makes it easy to see the level at a glance. I've found that buying salt in 40-pound bags during sales and storing them in our garage is the most economical approach.
The SoftPro Valve tracks system performance automatically and displays service alerts when needed. So far, the only alert I've seen is the low-salt warning, which gives several days advance notice before the system actually runs out.
Every few months, I check the bypass valve operation and inspect the drain line to make sure it's flowing freely. The system backwashes itself during each regeneration cycle, so there's no manual cleaning required of the resin bed or internal components.
The filtration component requires annual replacement, which costs about $30-40.
This is simple—just shut off water, unscrew the old filter cartridge, and thread in the new one. The whole process takes about 10 minutes and requires no special tools.
I've contacted SoftPro customer service twice with technical questions—once about optimizing the regeneration schedule and once about interpreting a diagnostic code. Both times, I reached knowledgeable technical support quickly, and they walked me through solutions over the phone.
The resin bed should last 10-15 years with our water conditions, and when replacement is eventually needed, SoftPro offers resin replacement services. The SoftPro Valve is designed for decades of operation, with internal components rated for hundreds of thousands of cycles.
Overall, the maintenance commitment is much lighter than I anticipated.
It's become just another routine household task, like checking furnace filters or cleaning gutters—something you remember to do but doesn't dominate your schedule.
Final Verdict: Would I Buy the SoftPro Elite HE Againsoftprowatersystems.com
After six months of ownership, I can confidently say this was one of the best home improvement investments we've made.
The water quality improvement exceeded my expectations, the operating costs are reasonable, and the maintenance requirements fit easily into our routine.
The combination of water softening and filtration in a single system has proven to be the right choice for our situation. Rather than managing separate systems for different water quality issues, we have one comprehensive solution that addresses everything from hardness to chlorine to sediment.
If you're dealing with hard water issues similar to ours—mineral buildup, soap inefficiency, appliance problems, and cleaning challenges—this system will transform your daily experience with water throughout your home.
The initial investment is significant, but the long-term benefits in comfort, convenience, and cost savings justify the expense.
The SoftPro Elite HE is particularly well-suited for households with very hard water who want a premium solution that will last for decades. The demand-initiated regeneration saves money on salt and water, the high-efficiency design reduces operating costs, and the integrated filtration eliminates the need for additional treatment equipment.
Would I purchase the SoftPro Elite HE again?
Absolutely. If this system failed tomorrow, I'd order another one immediately. Living with soft, filtered water has become something I can't imagine giving up.
For anyone in Montana dealing with our challenging water conditions, or homeowners anywhere with similar hard water problems, I recommend seriously considering the SoftPro Elite HE. It's an investment that pays dividends every single day in improved quality of life and long-term cost savings.