Whole-house Softener

Whole-house Softener | Water Purification | Plumbing | Shelbyville

Enjoy velvety-soft water from every tap in your Shelbyville home with HEP’s whole-house softener plumbing service. Our certified pros install advanced resin-based systems that pull hardness minerals, iron, and unwanted sediments out before they ever reach your pipes, appliances, or skin. The result is brighter laundry, spot-free dishes, longer-lasting water heaters, and showers that leave you feeling truly refreshed—without the scale buildup that can ruin fixtures and drive up energy bills.

HEP tailors each system for local water conditions, combining robust filtration with precise programming that optimizes salt use and flow rates. Because our units treat all incoming supply lines, they serve as a first line of defense in comprehensive water purification while demanding minimal maintenance on your end. From the initial, no-pressure consultation to prompt post-installation support, we handle everything so you can simply turn on the tap and enjoy better water, every day.

FAQs

Why do homes in Shelbyville need a whole-house water softener?

Municipal tests show Shelbyville’s water averages 10–14 grains per gallon (gpg) of hardness—well above the 7 gpg level where scale becomes a problem. Hard water leaves mineral deposits that clog pipes, shorten water-heater life, dull laundry colors, and leave spots on dishes and fixtures. A whole-house softener removes the excess calcium and magnesium before the water reaches any tap, protecting plumbing, appliances, and your family’s skin and hair.

How does a whole-house softener and purification system work?

Our systems combine two stages. First, an ion-exchange softener sends the hard water through a resin bed that trades calcium and magnesium ions for harmless sodium (or potassium) ions. The resin is regenerated automatically with a brine solution, so the process repeats indefinitely. Second, optional add-ons—such as sediment pre-filters, catalytic carbon for chlorine and taste/odor, or UV lights for microbiological control—polish the water for all-around purification.

What size softener do I need for my Shelbyville home?

Sizing is based on your household’s water usage and Shelbyville’s hardness level. Multiply the number of occupants by 75 gallons per person per day and then by the hardness in grains to get daily grain removal needs. Example: 4 people × 75 gpd × 12 gpg ≈ 3,600 grains per day; choose a 32,000–40,000-grain unit (regenerates weekly). During our free on-site evaluation we measure actual hardness and flow rate to recommend the most efficient model.

Will a softener remove iron, sulfur, or chlorine too?

A standard softener is designed primarily for calcium and magnesium. It can handle low levels of dissolved iron (≈1 ppm), but not sulfur odors or chlorine. If tests show higher iron, we pair the softener with an iron filter or air-induction system; for sulfur we add a catalytic carbon or aeration unit; for chlorine and disinfection by-products we install a granular activated carbon (GAC) stage. These modules are bundled into our whole-house purification packages.

What is involved in installation and how long does it take?

Our licensed plumbers locate the main supply line—usually near the water heater—install a bypass valve, connect inlet/outlet lines, level the resin and brine tanks, and program the control head. Most jobs take 3–5 hours, require only a brief water shut-off, and do not disturb finished walls. Shelbyville’s plumbing code doesn’t mandate a permit for replacements, but we obtain one for new construction and pull a backflow approval if needed.

What maintenance and operating costs should I expect?

Softeners regenerate with salt or potassium pellets. A typical family consumes 1–2 bags (40 lb each) per month at $5–7 per bag, or about $75–150 per year. Resin lasts 10–15 years; control valves last 15-plus. We recommend a quick annual check-up ($99) to sanitize the brine tank and verify settings. Our systems carry a 10-year tank warranty, 5-year electronics warranty, and lifetime phone support, keeping long-term costs predictable.