The other day we had our free water analysis done by a rainsoft salesman. Needless to say he found our water in poor shape, full of ‘contaminates’ ect. Told that it wasn’t terrible it would just make our lives alot easier with cleaner water. Then proceeded to push the deluxe line on us ect. before we knew it we were signing papers. The salespitch and ‘buy it now you’ll get soaps’ realy left me with a bad taste in my mouth. SO when they said find an identical system for less and you’ll get yours for free I researched. I did find a system very close for 1/4 of the cost. The sales rep I talked to told me the system all though identical in every way had one component that was different and pattented different thus making it impossible to get this deal. At this point the unit was already installed partially in my house. Luckily a part was broken so the installer had to come back, I never signed anything saying that it was even in my house. Plus Canadians have ten days now to return something and will get theyre money back. Less some administrative costs anyways. So now I have the option to do anything, I’ve got the rainsoft rep comeing back on wed to ‘convince me’ basically were going to try and get the price to reasonable one. Does anyone have any thoughts on rainsoft, the product what type of price I could realisticly get this for thanks.
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That *free* analysis turned out to be pretty expensive! I'm in Central Ca, and the problems I've heard of with Rainsoft is that it is salt-based. This pumps more salt back into the earth, which is a huge problem where we live. Also, if the system is installed ahead of your sprinkler system, it will kill your grass (the salt). Also, as far as I know, Rainsoft is a *softener* for hard water problems, not a filter for contaminants.
I'm still trying to fix the water problems at our house. I've decided I'd like a Lifesource system, but it's about 3K. In the meantime, I bought a zero waste Reverse Osmosis system from Costco.com and had it installed on the kitchen tap, with temporary chlorine filters on the showers. It was about $400-$500 for the undercounter system, including pro installation. I blogged about the whole experience and detailed costs at http://www.remodelingrepartee.com.
The whole water filter issue is very confusing because of the diffent ANSI standards they all use and the differing water quality regualtions. I'd love to see Inspired House so an article that collates all our choices as consumers. I searched high and low for such information last spring.
thanks for your input. I had rainsoft come down again in price to 5000 cdn. taxes and interest in. Which would be appx 3500 usd. I'm currently researching a product called Rhino whole house filter. The price is very small, unfortunately the main filter is subject to replaceing after three years, the cost is 75 % of the new unit. I'm still kind of torn. I'm really going to miss this rainsoft system in the meantime.
Let us know what you find out about Rhino. You might check out the Lifesource product. It removes, chlorine, scale and most particulates, but I think not the pesticide stuff. It's about 3-4 thousand usd; it has a prefilter change, but the main tank never needs it. Has a ten year warranty. It's an electostatic charge, then a carbon filter. The main tank expels itself every six months or so on a clock, so it needs an outside outlet, or you can bury it in the ground outside.
I just got the alarm on my Outlook to change the filter on my zero-waste R/O system under my sink. It's been great, so much better than bottled. Now I have to order off internet and call the plumber. I don't do DIY.
Look forward to hearing about your experience.
Jodi
Jodi, I had the rainsoft unit removed. It cost me 500 dollars to get out of the contract, but I've found a good water system at budget water.com the guys make their own equipment in house, theyve got a good warranty, I suspect a more user freindly product, ie cheaper to replace parts. They are 1200 dollars for the system that would have cost me 8300 at rainsoft. I looked at life source, I requested more info, looks like a good product.
Thanks for the site info. I've bookmarked it and will check it out later.
Good luck, Jodi