Review: Pentair PSE2000-P Whole House Water Filter & Softener Combo (Pelican PSE2000)

This page may contain affiliate links. If you buy a product or service through such a link we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

The Pentair PSE2000-P is a two-in-one whole house treatment system that combines a water filter and a salt-free water softener.

Pentair claims this filter-softener combo is the easiest way to enjoy clean, great tasting, and scale-free water in your home.

Let’s analyze the features of the Pentair PSE2000-P and see if it’s the right fit for you!

Pentair PSE2000-P Whole House Water Filter & Softener Combo

Pentair PSE2000-P Whole House Water Filter & Softener Combo

Price: $$
Treatment Process: Sediment (5 Microns), Catalytic Carbon + KDF, TAC Water Conditioning
Hardness Limit: 75 gpg
Filter Life: 1,300,000 Gallons or 5 Years
Flow Rate: 12 Gallons Per Minute

Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRating based on softening/filtration performance, grain capacity, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.

Pentair PSE2000-P Whole House Water Filter & Softener Combo – All Specs

  • Model: PSE2000-P
  • Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$30-40
  • Treatment Process: Sediment Pre-Filter (5 Microns), Catalytic Carbon + KDF, TAC
  • Treatment Stages: 3
  • Flow Rate: 12 gpm
  • Filtering Capacity: 1,300,000 gal or 5 Years
  • Max Hardness: 75 gpg
  • Tank Width: 11”
  • Tank Depth: 11”
  • Water Temperature: 36-120 °F
  • Water Pressure: 25-80 psi
  • Water pH: 7-11
  • Fitting: 1″ NPT
  • NSF Certifications: Standard 42 (Chlorine Reduction, Structural Integrity), Standard 61, Standard 372
  • Warranty: 1-5 Years

Pentair PSE2000-P – Key Features

The PSE2000-P by Pentair is a combination of a whole house water filter and a salt-free water softener. So besides filtering out the contaminants in your water, the system also reduces the effects of hard water on your appliances.

In essence, Pentair PSE2000-P Whole House Water Filter & Softener Combo is two systems sold as one. It comprises the Pentair PC-1000-P water filter and the NS6-P water conditioner.

Let’s talk about the whole house filter unit first:

It features a 5-micron sediment pre-filter and a carbon + KDF filter tank.

  • The sediment pre-filter traps large sediments and debris in your water, preventing them from causing damage to your appliances or clogging up the PSE2000-P.
  • The catalytic carbon (coconut shell-based) is NSF-certified for chlorine reduction (up to 97%). It also removes organic chemicals like pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and disinfectant by-products from water.
  • The KDF media handles any chlorine that might have escaped the carbon. It also eliminates few water-soluble heavy metals and prevents microbial growth inside the tank.

Both filter media last a total of 1,300,000 gallons or 5 years.

The water softener component is actually a salt-free water conditioner. It doesn’t use salt/resin bed to remove the hardness from water. Instead, it runs on TAC technology (template-assisted crystallization).This technology, instead of removing hard water minerals, alters them so that they no longer stick to pipes and surfaces. With this technology, the conditioner is up to 99% effective in preventing scale build-up in your appliances and pipes. It also dissolves any hard water deposits already in your plumbing system.

The softener is rated at a maximum hardness level of 75 grains per gallon, which is pretty high, so it’s suitable even for homes with really hard water.

Water flow rate is 12 gpm (16 gpm at peak). This flow rate is enough for 4-6 bathrooms, so it can comfortably serve most homes.

Manufacturer warranty: 1 year on tanks, 5 years on valves.

Pelican Whole House Filter & Water Softener Alternative Pros

For one, having a water filter + salt-free softener combo is a wonderful upgrade to your home since you get to have clean, great tasting, and scale-free water all the time. You even increase the lifespan of your appliances while enjoying purified water.

Also, since the softener is salt-free, you don’t have to worry about constantly regenerating, salt refills, or wastewater. And if you’re on a low-sodium diet, even better – you get natural water instead of having all the hard minerals replaced with sodium.

Maintenance is also quite simple. All you need to do is to replace the sediment pre-filter cartridge every 6-9 months, and this only costs between $30 and $40 a year. No salt refills. No wastewater.

Lastly, the tank housings are made of stainless steel that increases durability and quality.

What Contaminants Are Being Removed?

  • The 5-micron sediment pre-filter captures and removes sand, silt, and other debris.
  • The granular catalytic carbon removes chlorine and chloramines, pesticides, herbicides, industrial solvents, disinfection by-products and other organics.
  • The KDF-55 is a combination of copper and zinc oxidation media. It reduces water-soluble heavy metals, chlorine, and prevents microbial growth.
  • The softener doesn’t remove anything, but it changes the form of calcium and other harness minerals in the water to prevent scaling.
  • In all, the Pentair PSE2000-P reduces chlorine by 96-97%.

Pentair PSE2000-P Whole House Water Filter & Softener Combo

The Pentair PSE2000-P – learn more on Amazon.com

Installation

The installation process for the Pentair PSE 2000-P whole house filter and water softener alternative shouldn’t be too complicated if you have prior plumbing experience or are handy with tools.

However, if you don’t have much practice, you might want to call a professional. The system comes with two bypass valves and is preloaded and preassembled, so you don’t have to do too much.

Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.

Before installation, ensure that the filter head is tightened. Run a check on the system by tightening it clockwise, with no more than a ¼ turn (hand tighten only). The carbon media also has to soak for about 48 hours before use, so you should plan your installation accordingly.

Here’s how the installation process goes:

Sediment Filter Installation

For homes with well water, the sediment filter is usually installed as a pre-filter; however, for city water users, the filter is installed as a post-filter after the water softener.

  1. Remove the cover from the blue filter housing.
  2. Take off the plastic covering on the sediment filter.
  3. Fix the sediment filter on the standpipe inside the blue filter housing and keep it aside.
  4. Next, shut off your water supply.
  5. Fix the filter cover onto the mounting bracket using the bolt head screws and washers provided. Check that the labels IN and OUT match your flow pattern.
  6. Fix the mounting bracket on the wall with the Phillips head screws.
  7. Use your hand to tighten the blue filter housing and then a filter wrench (counterclockwise) to ensure it’s snug. Be careful not to overtighten.
  8. Check the size of your inlet water line.

Note: The sediment filter housing has a 1⁄2” threaded female inlet/outlet. As such, it may need additional fittings to be compatible with your plumbing. The manufacturer recommends installing a shut-off and bypass valve around the system.

Carbon Water Filter Installation

  1. Make sure the water tank is level.
  2. Check out the size and type of material of the supply line coming from the sediment filter to see if it can adapt to the 1” male NPT assembly.
  3. Install the filters fitting onto the outlet and inlet sides of the bypass valve. A diagram for guidance is in the manual.
  4. Join the water supply line from the sediment filter to the inlet side of the bypass valve.
  5. Connect the supply line on the outset side to the bypass valve.

Water Conditioner Installation

  1. Ensure the conditioner is in a level position.
  2. See if the material and size coming from the water filter are compatible with the fittings on the softener. If so, connect to the bypass valve. Remember not to overtighten any of the fittings during installation.
  3. Attach the fitting to the inlet and outlet sides of your bypass valve. Use the diagram provided in your manual.
  4. Connect the supply line from the carbon filter to the inlet portion of the bypass valve.
  5. Connect the outgoing supply line to the outlet portion of the bypass valve.

Video

The Package (Parts)

  • 2x 1″ Plastic Male NPT Assembly with O-Rings, Split Rings, Connectors
  • Blue Sediment Filter Housing
  • Mounting Bracket with Screws and Washers
  • 5-Micron Poly-Spun Sediment Filter
  • Spanner Wrench
  • Non-Abrasive Auto Wax
  • Rinse-Aid
  • 2x Bypass Valve
  • Hose Bib Assembly
  • PC1000-P Carbon Filter
  • NaturSoft NS6 Water Softener Alternative
  • Manual

Maintenance

Maintenance is pretty easy with this filter. Since the softener is salt-free, you don’t need to do any salt refills. The carbon filter lasts about 1,300,000 gallons (or 5 years) before it has to be renewed. The only thing that needs replacement is the sediment filter, and that’s only every 6-9 months, which is a reasonable period of time. So maintenance costs sum up to no more than $30-$40 per year.

To replace the sediment filter:

  1. Turn off the water supply to the sediment filter from the main shut-off valve. Bypass all tanks.
  2. Open a faucet in the house and let the water run to relieve pressure in the system.
  3. Using the provided filter wrench, unscrew the blue filter housing by turning it clockwise.
  4. Remove the sediment filter in the housing and discard.
  5. Take out the O-ring in the housing and clean the upper groove. Lubricate the O-ring with clean silicone grease before replacing it. Be sure to secure the O-ring into place by pressing it down into the groove with two fingers.
  6. Securing the O-ring in place is important to prevent leaks and provide a good filter seal. If you notice it is damaged or stretched, get a replacement.
  7. Put the new sediment filter on the standpipe in the filter housing.
  8. Replace the blue filter housing in its original position by screwing it onto the filter cover and hand-tightening it. Make it snug by twisting it with the filter wrench provided, but avoid over tightening it.
  9. Turn the water supply on (slowly) and fill the sediment filter with water, allowing air to escape the lines. Remove the other tanks from bypass mode.
  10. Look out for any leaks.

Manual

Here is a link to the official manual:

https://www.pentair.com/content/dam/extranet/web/nam/pentair-water-solutions/manuals/4006041-pse1800-p-pse2000-p-manual.pdf

NSF and Other Certifications

Both main components (filter and softener) of the PSE2000-P are certified against certain NSF standards:

  • The PC-1000-P system (whole house water filter) is tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 42. This standard guarantees that the filter is fit for improving aesthetic qualities of water, namely chlorine taste/odor (96% reduction at a capacity of 1,324,800 gallons).
  • The whole house filter is also certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 61 – the standard for products which come in direct contact with drinking water, e.g. pipes, hoses, fittings etc. It ensures that they are safe for use. NSF/ANSI Standard 372 certification is for lead-free or low-lead products which come in erect contact with drinking water.
  • The softening component: The NS6-P system seems to have been tested by IAPMO R&T and certified to the NSF/ANSI standard 61 for material safety. We could not find this online though.

Earlier Product Versions

The Pentair PSE2000-P has an earlier product version under the old Pelican brand – PSE2000. However, we noted that aside from the switch in name and branding, nothing much has changed between the two models.

Cons

  • The plastic fittings are a bit problematic (some users complained of leaks). Metal would have served better.
  • In a few cases, leaks occurred from the pressure release button on the sediment filter.
  • Pre-soaking the carbon media can be hectic. Many users said it prolonged the installation process, which was especially inconvenient for people who had to hire a plumber.
  • Because the water softening process is a bit different, your water has to meet a few requirements before it can pass through the system.
    • No hydrogen sulfide, iron, manganese hydrocarbons, oils, or lubricants should be found in your water.
    • Maximum phosphate levels: 1 ppm
    • Maximum copper levels: 1.3 ppm
    • These strict requirements might be the reason some users were unimpressed with the system’s water conditioning abilities.
  • A handful of users claimed that Pentair’s customer service is somewhat unhelpful.
  • Many users also said installation took longer than the company indicated.

Pentair PSE2000-P Review: Our Verdict + Best for

The Pentair PSE2000-P whole house water filter and softener combo improves water aesthetics and safety. However, it’s important to know that the softener component is not an actual softener but a water conditioner. So it doesn’t do anything to reduce the hardness of water, but it can help reduce scale. In our opinion, salt-based water softeners will always be more effective and produce better results (that is, soft water).

Regardless, the PSE2000-P remains a solid alternative for people who wouldn’t like sodium added to their water. It is also a better alternative if you dislike wasting water for regeneration. And don’t forget the system is reasonably priced and suitable for small to large homes. All in all, our verdict is 4.5 stars.

Our Rating in Detail:

  • Overall Performance: 5.0/5.0
  • Filtering & Softening Capacity: 4.0/5.0
  • Purchase Price: 4.0/5.0
  • Annual Cost: 5.0/5.0
  • Overall: 4.5/5.0

Comparison to Other Whole House Water Filter and Softener Combos

Let’s compare the Pentair PSE2000-P to the SpringWell CSF and see how they stack against each other.

SpringWell CSF Whole House Water Filter + Salt-Free Water Softener Combo

SpringWell CSF

Price: $$
Treatment Process: Sediment (5 Microns), Catalytic Carbon + KDF, TAC Water Conditioning
Hardness Limit: 81 gpg
Filter Life: 1,000,000 gal or 6 Years
Flow Rate: 9-20 gpm

Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on softening/filtration performance, grain capacity, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.

Get 5% Off! Use Code: BOS5OFF

Pentair PSE2000-P Whole House Water Filter & Softener Combo

Pentair PSE2000-P

Price: $$
Treatment Process: Sediment (5 Microns), Catalytic Carbon + KDF, TAC Water Conditioning
Hardness Limit: 75 gpg
Filter Life: 1,300,000 gal or 5 Years
Flow Rate: 12 gpm

Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRating based on softening/filtration performance, grain capacity, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.

The SpringWell CSF is also a whole house water filter with a salt-free water conditioner. The filter uses the same components as the Pentair: 5-micron sediment filter + catalytic carbon + KDF media. The salt-free conditioner also uses catalytic media to crystallize hardness out of water and is about 99.6 % effective at scale reduction.

So what’s the difference? The SpringWell CSF is suited for water with hardness levels of up to 81 gpg, and comes in 3 different sizes. The largest size can serve 7+ bathrooms with a flow rate of 20 gpm. However, the filter “only” lasts for about 1,000,000 gallons.

On the plus side, SpringWell has a refund policy where you can get refunded for up to 6 months after purchase if you’re unsatisfied. There also is a limited lifetime warranty. In our opinion, the SpringWell CSF comes out on top.

This completes our review of the Pentair PSE2000-P. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!

About the Author Gene Fitzgerald

Gene Fitzgerald is one of the founders of BOS and currently head of content creation. She has 8+ years of experience as a water treatment specialist under her belt making her our senior scientist. Outside of BOS, Gene loves reading books on philosophy & social issues, making music, and hiking.
Learn more about .

Gene

Information provided on BOS is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.
We adhere to strict editorial guidelines. Rest assured, the opinions expressed have not been provided, reviewed, or otherwise endorsed by our partners – they are unbiased, independent, and the author’s alone. Our licensed experts fact-check all content for accuracy. It is accurate as of the date posted and to the best of our knowledge.

Leave a Comment: