Are you searching for the best upflow water softeners available on the market in 2024? If yes, then you have finally chosen the right platform. We all understand the significance of a reliable water softener for every household. No one wants to experience annoying issues caused by hard water, such as bad taste, laundry issues, expensive plumbing repairs, etc. Upflow water softeners have become quite popular nowadays due to their unique and excellent working capability.
In this article, we will briefly review some of the top-selling up-flow water softeners to help you choose the right option for your house. In Addition, we will also share a detailed buying guide for your convenience.
Take a look at our top 4 best up-flow water softener reviews in 2024. We selected these products after reviewing consumer reports. Check out our recommended products:
The Fleck 5600sxt is an excellent complete whole-house system with a digital metered valve. The 48,000-grain capacity makes it a fantastic option for meeting the daily requirements of an average household. It’s equipped with an Upflow carbon filtration technology to ensure efficient filtration without any backwash to save the additional electricity cost and drain line-related hassles.
The ABCwaters built Fleck 5600sxt is one of the few water softeners to remove many harmful contaminants such as chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, organics, MTBE, and THM. It has four operational methods for users’ comfort, including delayed, immediate, delayed time clock, and weekly.
When it comes to installation, it’s pretty simple to install this water softener in your house. It will take less than an hour to install it and work successfully. Moreover, it’s also backed by a five-year warranty for the fleck valve and a 60-day return policy.
Pros
Impressive 12GPM flow rate.
No backwash is needed.
Cost-efficient.
Ideal for large households.
Eco-Friendly
Cons
Lacks tubes and connectors.
ABCwaters up-flow water softener is a combo package i.e. Whole House Water Softener and Upflow Carbon Filtration System. Furthermore, this whole house system is built using 2 American-made tanks a brine tank and a mineral tank. Both tanks are backed by 10 years warranty.
The Genesis 2 Premier is one of the most reliable water softeners available today. It’s equipped with a fantastic Upflow water filtration technology that will deliver 20 gallons of soft water within 2 minutes. The impressive 40,000-grain capacity with a 13GPM water flow rate will easily accommodate the requirements of medium-sized households. A large brine tank is used in this water softener that can easily hold 200 lbs of salt and has a lifetime warranty.
Using this water softener, an average family of 4 people can easily save up to 8,280lbs of salt and 32,400 gallons of water. The On-Demand Upflow control valve with some electronic sensors, adjustable cycles, proven ceramic disc resin, and spacer design will ensure efficient operation. So, No more torn or worn seals. Built with High Capacity, high durability 10% Crosslink Resin, and Metered recharge ensure soft water during usually heavy water usage. In Genesis 2 Premier Water Softener, an Automatic System Refresh system will automatically flush the stagnant water after seven days of non-use preventing bacterial growth.
Unlike other water softeners, the Genesis 2 Premier can easily track the amount of water used and regenerate accordingly in an intelligent manner. The easy installation of this water softener is another plus point; it comes with standard 1-inch fittings for easy and quick installation.
Pros
Smart regeneration technology.
Strong 13GPM flow rate.
Large-sized tanks.
Provides savings on salt and water.
Includes Set & Forgets system.
Cons
Poor customer support.
The Reverse Flow Regeneration feature preserves unused softening beds from unnecessary exchange-saving salt. The automatic Backwash variable cleans municipal water and makes this Genesis 2 Premier model a top product.
The AFW Filters Built Fleck 5600SXT is a complete system for an average household size of 2-5 people. It’s professionally designed with Eco-Friendly Upflow Carbon Filtration Technology to ensure a soft and clean water supply without any backwash. Remember, no backwash means there will be no additional electricity charges, wastewater, or any drain line.
This water softener is controlled by the Fleck 5600sxt digital meter valve for the extra convenience of users. Along with Upflow Technology, it also features a Reverse Osmosis System to remove impurities and harmful contaminants from water, such as sediments, chlorine, heavy metals, and many other harmful contaminants. If you are looking for a reliable water softener that can provide value for the money, you can consider AFW Filters Built Fleck 5600sxt Water Softener. It’s backed by a five-year fleck valve warranty and a ten-year tank warranty.
Pros
Excellent combination of Carbon Filters and Reverse Osmosis System.
Amazing Upflow design.
48,000 Grain Capacity for medium-sized households.
12 GPM flow rate.
Reasonable price.
Cons
Difficult installation.
The reverse osmosis system includes a pre-assembled system with filters, a complete installation kit with color-coded tubing, a tank, a faucet, and an instruction manual. However, this AFWFilters Built Fleck 5600SXT model is assembled with NSF-approved parts, filters, and media.
The DuraWater Fleck 5600SXT is an excellent Upflow Water Softener that offers efficiency, durability, and reliability. Its impressive 48,000-grain capacity and filtration capability make it ideal for homes and offices. The Upflow Carbon Filtration Technology is used in this water softener in which no backwashing is required. Moreover, it also features a 5 Stage Reverse Osmosis System to remove harmful contaminants and impurities from the water.
A high-quality digital meter is used in this water softener that will enable users to program it easily. Thanks to its premium quality resin, that can easily handle the toughest of hard waters without damaging the filters. With its digital valve, you can receive all the critical information about your water softener on your phone with its app. DuraWater Fleck 5600SXT is also very simple; everything required for its installation comes in its packaging.
Pros
Excellent storage capacity.
5 Stage Reverse Osmosis and Upflow System.
Digital control valve.
Saves water and salt usage.
Durable water softener.
Cons
Installation is a bit difficult.
The Scan and Service App is a new feature from Pentair that has information about your water softener at the touch of your fingertips. This App provides access to complete configuration, information about spare parts, and an instruction manual for installation.
Buying a reliable up-flow water softener for the first time is challenging. The following are things that you need to keep in mind while searching for the best up-flow water softener. If budget is not an obstacle for you while buying an Upflow water softener, we have some considerations for choosing the suitable model to meet your daily household needs.
Capacity: The water softening capacity is one of the most critical buying factors. You should always go for those specific models that offer high grain capacity to avoid any interruptions in the flow during regenerations. Moreover, you should also pay attention to the daily requirements of your entire house before making any purchase decision.
Flow Rate: Before you choose any up-flow water softener, don’t forget to check the maximum flow rate of the product. An ideal flow rate is around 6 and 12GPM gallons per minute to ensure a flawless water supply in the entire house.
Salt Requirements: An ideal up-flow water softener should use less or minimum for its regeneration process. Usually, a reliable up-flow water softener needs 200 pounds of salt for regeneration, while downflow water softeners may take up to 300 pounds. So, you must keep salt requirements and cost in mind.
Easy to Use: Everyone wants a user-friendly softener. A system with a digital display screen to check how much soft water is left in the unit. The control interface should also be simple to operate without any complications, features, or options.
Installation: Last but not least, the installation of an up-flow water softener is a very critical buying factor. The installation can be pretty hectic as each model comes with different fittings from the existing plumbing settings. However, some particular available models can be installed quickly without any professional help.
What is an Upflow Water Softener? How does it work?
In Upflow water softeners, the water flows from the bottom to the top, and on its way, it passes through a filter to remove harmful contaminants and hardness-causing minerals. Due to the anti-gravity motion, Upflow water softeners are considered more reliable and efficient than other water softeners available on the market.
The up-flow water softeners are also known for their cost-effectiveness as they use less salt and water. It’s ideal for houseowners who don’t want to pay expensive plumbing bills due to mineral build-up in the pipes.
Certain things make up-flow water softeners an excellent choice for anyone looking for a water softener. We have compiled some of the most noteworthy advantages below.
Excellent Efficiency:
The overall efficiency of an upflow water softener is quite impressive. It uses significantly less water in the regeneration process and less salt during the water-softening process. Because of these factors, upflow water softeners are considered more efficient than other available types on the market.
Quick Process:
We all know that water is pushed from the bottom of the tank in an upflow water softener. But still, upflow water softeners are super fast compared to downflow water softeners. These water softeners also provide a quick soft water supply due to less regeneration time.
Effective Filtering:
As we have also discussed earlier, the water flows from the bottom to the resin bed; that’s why it passes through the entire filter layers. Due to this, the filtration becomes quite impressive, while in downflow water softeners, the water supply only reaches the top layer of the filter.
Cost Saving:
Upflow water softeners consume very few resources such as salt, water, and electricity to work. Upflow water softeners help users save a lot of money compared to downflow water softeners. Moreover, due to less consumption of resources, upflow water softeners are considered eco-friendly.
Following are steps to install an up-flow water softening system in your home.
Choose the Right Location
First of all, you have to choose the ideal location where you want to install the device. Don’t forget that an up-flow water softening unit contains multiple tanks that will require 3 to 5 square feet of space.
Organize and connect
In the second step, it’s time to connect the tanks. Remember, you will also need an input outlet for water and a drain.
Pour the Resin
After installing the tanks, it’s time to pour the resin inside to fill the tanks. The distributor cap is fully covered with a tap or plastic. In this way, you can prevent the resin from falling into the tube.
Install the Control & Bypass Valve
After you are done with the resin and distributor tube, it’s time to screw in the control valve. You may need an O-ring to securely install the control valve with proper lubrication to prevent any mishap. Installation of the bypass valve is easy and quick. Follow the arrows that indicate IN and OUT to prevent any problems in the future.
Install the Drain Tube
Every water softener requires a drain line, also known as a drain tube, to flush away the waste. Don’t forget to point the drainpipe downward to prevent the waste from spilling.
Connect Brine Line
The first check drain line is attached correctly. Connect the brine line with the unit by attaching the tube from the brine tank to the brass fitting.
Test and Program
Now, pour some water into the tank and activate the bypass mode. It’s a critical step to check for any leaks. Turn on the power supply and start the softener. You can check the user manual to get maximum performance.
Upflow Vs. Downflow Water Softener: Which One Is Better?
The main difference between an upflow water softener and a downflow water softener is the direction of water flow. An up-flow softener pushes the water to the top from the bottom of the tank. In this way, the water reaches the resin bed and then up to the tank.
The Upflow water softener is far better than the downflow water softener. It’s efficient and effective and uses less salt and water for water softening. In the Upflow water softener, the hard water passes through the entire filter layers from the bottom to the top. Due to this, we can remove most of the impurities and harmful contaminants from the water.
Unfortunately, you cannot switch a downflow water softener to an up-flow water softener. These water softener types are based on different mechanisms in which hard water touches the resin. You can use one particular water softener type at a time. It’s better to determine the characteristics of your water before choosing between upflow and downflow water softeners. Downflow water softer works best when removing heavier particles, while up-flow water softener works best for smaller particles.
The Upflow Water Softeners have become very popular nowadays due to their remarkable advantages over conventional water softening systems. We all understand that it’s a daunting task to choose the best up-flow water softener as there are some trusted manufacturers in the market. We hope our detailed article and buying guide will provide you with helpful information to help you make the right choice.
Steve Smith is a United State Licensed Plumber with over 18 years of plumbing experience. Steve has conducted residential and commercial plumbing jobs throughout the state and currently works for one of California’s largest plumbing companies. When he’s not working, Steve enjoys spending time with his daughter and son.
Are you searching for the best upflow water softeners available on the market in 2024? If yes, then you have finally chosen the right platform. We all understand the significance of a reliable water softener for every household. No one wants to experience annoying issues caused by hard water, such as bad taste, laundry issues, expensive plumbing repairs, etc. Upflow water softeners have become quite popular nowadays due to their unique and excellent working capability.
The main difference between an upflow water softener and a downflow water softener is the direction of water flow. An up-flow softener pushes the water to the top from the bottom of the tank. In this way, the water reaches the resin bed and then up to the tank.
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