Hi, I’m Tara K. I live in Arizona. Craig “The Water Guy” Phillips asked me to share my homeowner experience with the local tap water from the city and the SoftPro® Elite HE Water Softener for City Water (Industry’s Best Softener & Filter Combo) I purchased.

This is how my adventure played out. I hope this helps you in your decision.

Did you know that Arizona has some of the hardest water in the United States?
Living here in the desert, I thought I’d accepted the reality of crusty faucets, spotty dishes, and that weird film on everything. But after six months with my SoftPro Elite HE system, I can’t believe I waited so long to make this change. What started as a simple attempt to fix my dishwasher problem turned into a complete transformation of my home’s water quality.
The Hard Water Nightmare That Started It All
Let me paint you a picture of my pre-softener life. Every morning, I’d wake up to a coffee maker that looked like it had been attacked by white chalk. My beautiful granite countertops were constantly covered in water spots that no amount of scrubbing could eliminate. The worst part? My dishwasher had basically given up – dishes came out looking worse than when they went in.

But the real wake-up call came when my plumber told me my water heater was failing prematurely. At only five years old, it was already showing signs of significant mineral buildup. He explained that our municipal water supply, while safe to drink, contained 18 grains per gallon of hardness minerals – nearly three times what’s considered “moderately hard.”

The calcium and magnesium in our city water weren’t just annoying; they were literally costing me money. I calculated that I was spending an extra $200 monthly on bottled water, specialty cleaning products, and appliance repairs. My hair felt like straw, my skin was constantly dry, and I was going through soap and detergent like it was going out of style.

That’s when I started researching water softening systems seriously. I needed something that could handle our extreme hardness levels while also addressing the chlorine taste and odor that made our tap water barely tolerable.
Why I Chose the SoftPro Elite HE System [

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After three weeks of intensive research, I was overwhelmed by options. Salt-based versus salt-free systems, single-tank versus dual-tank configurations, basic softeners versus combination units – the choices seemed endless. But several factors led me specifically to the SoftPro Elite HE.

First, the high-efficiency design caught my attention. Traditional water softeners regenerate on a timer, regardless of actual water usage. The Elite HE uses demand-initiated regeneration, meaning it only cleans itself when necessary based on actual water consumption. For someone conscious about both water waste and salt usage, this was huge.

Second, the combination approach solved multiple problems simultaneously. Rather than installing separate systems for softening and filtration, the Elite HE integrates both functions. The carbon filtration component removes chlorine, chloramines, and other chemicals that affect taste and odor, while the ion exchange resin tackles the hardness minerals.

The system’s capacity impressed me too. With a 48,000-grain capacity and flow rates up to 12 GPM, it could easily handle our four-person household’s peak demand without pressure drops. I’d read horror stories about undersized systems causing weak showers and slow-filling appliances.

What really sealed the deal was the third-party certifications. The system meets NSF/ANSI Standards 44 and 42, meaning independent testing has verified both its softening efficiency and contaminant reduction claims. In a market full of questionable products, having WQA Gold Seal certification provided the credibility I needed.
Unboxing and First Impressions
When the system arrived, I was immediately struck by the build quality. The mineral tank is constructed from high-strength fiberglass with a corrosion-resistant liner – a significant upgrade from the cheaper plastic tanks I’d seen on other units. The control valve felt substantial, with clearly labeled connections and a bright, easy-to-read display.

Everything was included for a complete installation: bypass valve assembly, drain line fittings, mounting hardware, and even the initial salt charge. The carbon filter cartridge was pre-installed, and the resin bed was already in place and properly prepared. SoftPro had clearly thought through the unboxing experience.

The documentation was equally impressive. The installation manual included detailed diagrams for various plumbing configurations, and the programming guide explained each setting in plain English. I particularly appreciated the troubleshooting section, which addressed common installation challenges with specific solutions.
Installation Experience: Easier Than Expected
Here’s where I need to be completely honest about my DIY skills – I’m reasonably handy but not a professional plumber. I’d successfully installed a garbage disposal and replaced a toilet, but cutting into my main water line felt intimidating. However, the installation process was surprisingly straightforward.

The most challenging part was choosing the location. The system needs electrical power, a drain connection, and enough space for salt loading and maintenance. I settled on a spot in my utility room near the water heater, about six feet from where the main line enters the house.

Installing the bypass valve required cutting the main water line and soldering in new fittings. The included bypass valve is a three-valve design that allows complete isolation of the softener for maintenance while maintaining water flow to the house. This took me about two hours, including multiple trips to the hardware store for additional fittings.

Connecting the drain line was simpler than expected. The system’s automatic drain valve connects to a standard ½-inch drain line, which I ran to my utility sink. The drain line must maintain proper air gap to prevent backflow – something clearly explained in the installation manual.

Programming the control head was the easiest part. The LCD display walks you through each setting: water hardness level, regeneration time, salt type, and household size. I set our hardness at 18 grains per gallon based on my recent water test, programmed regeneration for 2 AM when we don’t use water, and selected sodium chloride since I’d purchased regular water softening salt.

Total installation time: about five hours spread over a Saturday. If I’d hired a plumber, I estimate it would have taken them 2-3 hours maximum.
Performance Results: The Numbers Don’t Lie
The transformation was noticeable within 24 hours, but I wanted concrete data to verify the system’s effectiveness. Using test strips from my local pool supply store, I measured hardness levels throughout the house at various times.

Incoming city water consistently tested at 17-19 grains per gallon, matching the municipal water report. Post-softener water measured less than 1 grain per gallon at every fixture I tested. The system was removing over 95% of hardness minerals – exactly what SoftPro claimed.

But the real proof was in daily life. Within a week, I noticed soap lathering differently in the shower. Instead of that sticky, hard-to-rinse feeling, soap actually felt slippery and rinsed clean. My hair became noticeably softer, and my skin stopped feeling tight and dry after bathing.

The kitchen transformation was even more dramatic. Dishes emerged from the dishwasher actually clean and spot-free. My coffee maker stopped developing that white, crusty buildup. Water glasses stayed clear instead of developing that cloudy film I’d accepted as normal.

I also tracked the system’s salt consumption carefully. During the first month, it used approximately 40 pounds of salt for our family of four. Based on our water usage patterns, regeneration cycles occurred every 4-5 days, consuming about 8 pounds of salt per cycle. This aligned perfectly with the manufacturer’s efficiency projections.

The carbon filtration component addressed our chlorine issues immediately. The metallic taste that had made our tap water unpalatable disappeared completely. We stopped buying bottled water for drinking and cooking – a monthly savings of about $60.
Daily Living Impact: Beyond Clean Water
Six months in, the Elite HE has delivered benefits I hadn’t even considered when making the purchase. My morning routine changed completely – no more scrubbing mineral deposits off fixtures every few days. The shower doors stay clear with just normal cleaning, and my granite countertops maintain their shine without constant polishing.

Our appliances are performing better too. The dishwasher cycles complete faster and dishes actually dry properly now that minerals aren’t interfering with the rinse aid. My washing machine uses less detergent – about half the amount I used before – yet clothes come out cleaner and feel softer.

The most unexpected benefit?
My water heater’s efficiency improved noticeably. Without new mineral buildup coating the heating elements, our morning showers stay hot longer, and recovery time between uses decreased significantly.

Even our cleaning routine simplified. Bathroom fixtures require minimal maintenance to stay spotless. The glass shower enclosure that once needed weekly deep cleaning with lime scale remover now stays clear with just regular bathroom cleaner during weekly housecleaning.

My husband, initially skeptical about the investment, became a convert when he noticed our coffee maker stopped requiring monthly descaling treatments. As someone who takes his morning coffee seriously, he immediately noticed the improved taste when harsh minerals and chlorine were no longer affecting the brewing process.
Operating Costs and Maintenance Reality
Let me break down the real costs of ownership, because this was a major concern during my research phase. The system uses approximately 50 pounds of salt monthly for our household of four with moderate water usage. At current prices, that’s about $12 in salt costs.

Electricity consumption is minimal – the control valve draws power only during regeneration cycles and for the LCD display. My utility bills showed no noticeable increase after installation.

The carbon filter requires replacement every 6-12 months depending on chlorine levels and https://www.trustpilot.com/review/softprowatersystems.com water usage. Replacement filters cost around $45, and changing them takes about 10 minutes with basic tools. The system alerts you when replacement is due through the control panel display.

Water usage during regeneration cycles averages about 25 gallons per cycle. At current rates, that adds roughly $3 monthly to my water bill. When you factor in our eliminated bottled water purchases and reduced cleaning product usage, the system actually saves money monthly.

Maintenance has been surprisingly minimal. Every two months, I check the salt level in the brine tank and add salt as needed. The system’s salt efficiency means I’m adding 2-3 bags every 6-8 weeks rather than the weekly additions some older systems require.

I also perform a visual inspection quarterly, checking for salt bridging in the brine tank and ensuring the drain line flows freely. The control panel’s diagnostic features make it easy to monitor system performance and identify any issues before they become problems.
Who Should Consider the SoftPro Elite HE
After six months of ownership, I can confidently recommend this system for specific situations. If you’re dealing with hard water above 10 grains per gallon and want a comprehensive solution that addresses multiple water quality issues, the Elite HE excels.

The system works particularly well for households with 2-6 people who want both softening and filtration without installing multiple units. The combination approach saves space and reduces complexity while delivering professional-grade results.

It’s ideal if you’re comfortable with basic DIY installation or willing to hire a plumber for setup.
The system requires minimal ongoing maintenance, making it perfect for busy households who want excellent water quality without constant attention.

Budget-wise, it represents a significant upfront investment but delivers long-term value through appliance protection, reduced cleaning products, and eliminated bottled water purchases. If you’re planning to stay in your home for several years, the ROI makes sense.

However, renters or those with very soft water might find simpler, less expensive solutions more appropriate. The system also requires adequate space for installation and monthly salt additions, which might not work for all living situations.

For Arizona residents dealing with extremely hard municipal water, though, I can’t imagine a better solution. The combination of high-efficiency softening and effective filtration has transformed our daily water experience completely.

Looking back, I only wish I’d made this investment sooner. The improvement in water quality, combined with the long-term protection for our appliances and plumbing, makes the SoftPro Elite HE one of the best home improvements I’ve ever made.