Leave a Comment:
John says
February 8, 2024
I was thinking of buying safeway water it has a carbon tank resin tank and salt tank do you have a review on that it was selling for 5995 10 yr warranty
Reply
Review: Westinghouse Whole House Water Softener and Filter Systems
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Aug 4, 2023
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.
Westinghouse Whole House Water Softener and Filter Systems are a combination of water softener/water filter designed to remove water hardness in addition to eliminating common contaminants.
But unlike most softener-filter combos, Westinghouse only sells their systems through their authorized dealer network. This comes with both pros and cons – which we’ll break down in detail.
Let’s take a closer look!
Contents
show
Westinghouse Progressive (Revolution) Series Whole House Water Softener and Filter Systems |
|
| Price: | ? |
| Treatment Process: | Ion Exchange Water Softening + KDF + GAC (+ Garnet) |
| Grain Capacity: | 28,000-70,000 |
| Filter Life: | 197,389-390,000 gal |
| Flow Rate: | 9-15 Gallons Per Minute |
|
Overall Rating: 3.5/5.0 ⓘ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.
|
|
Westinghouse Progressive (Revolution) Series Whole House Water Softeners and Filters – All Specs
- Model: Progressive Series, Progressive Revolution Series
- Annual Maintenance Cost: Salt Only
- Treatment Process: Ion Exchange Water Softening + KDF + GAC (+ Garnet)
- Flow Rate: 9-15 gpm
- Backwash Rate: 2.7-4.2 gpm
- Filtering Capacity: 197,389-390,000 gal
- Softening Capacity: 28,000-70,000 Grains (1.0-2.5 cu ft. Resin)
- Rated Salt Efficiency: 4,043-4375 Grains @ 4.5-11.25 lbs. Salt Setting
- WxHxD: 27-30″x50-60″x20″
- Weight: 140-237 lb.
- Water Temperature: 35-100 °F
- Water Pressure: 20-125 psi
- Fitting: 1″ NPT
- NSF Certifications: Standard 42 (Chlorine Taste and Odor,) Standard 44 (Hardness Reduction), Standard 61, Standard 372
- Warranty: Lifetime
Westinghouse Progressive (Revolution) Series – Key Features
Westinghouse Whole House Water Softener and Filter Systems are tank-based. They combine water softening with carbon and KDF media filtration.
- Progressive Series: This series features an ion exchange water softener, KDF-55 media, and coconut shell granular activated carbon. It also features garnet filter media inside the tank, which removes turbidity, filters out sediment down to 20 microns, and helps to reduce water channeling.
- Progressive Revolution Series: This series is an advanced version of the original Progressive Series and features the same ion exchange softener and KDF-55 media, but according to Westinghouse uses a higher grade of activated carbon with increased capacity and lifespan. Also, no garnet media is used. What’s more, the series features several improvements over the previous including lift and spin regeneration, separated filter media, and reverse flow brining. All in all, it’s supposed to be more economical and efficient overall saving on water and salt during generation.
Ion exchange water softening in both systems reduces water hardness. The process removes harder minerals like calcium and magnesium and replaces them with softer sodium ions. As a result, you’ll have soft water coming out of every faucet in your home, which will eliminate scale buildup in your fixtures and extend the lifespan of your water-consuming appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and heaters. Soft water will also improve the effectiveness of your washing machine etc. – resulting in cleaner, softer clothing and linens. You can also say goodbye to hard water spotting, staining, and soap scum.
The KDF media in both systems helps to eliminate heavy metals as well as control the growth of scale, bacteria, algae, and fungi within the tank. Granular activated carbon removes chlorine (89.9% average reduction) as well as other unpleasant tastes and odors.
And finally, there are several different system sizes to choose from. Filter capacity is about 200,000 to 400,000 gallons or 2 years which is not a whole lot (more on this in a bit). Flow rate ranges from 9 to 15 gpm and softening capacity from 28,000 to 70,000 grains which is suited for small to large homes.
Westinghouse Whole House Water Softener and Filter Pros
While Westinghouse whole house filtration and softening systems seem to cost significantly more than most of the competition, they also have several strengths to consider.
First, they come with a lifetime warranty. Yes, this warranty limits your installation and repairs to an authorized dealer, but it also guarantees installation and service will be performed correctly.
Next, the systems automatically regenerate their softening resin based on usage – which means saving on water + salt, less maintenance, and a longer lifespan for the resin.
A bypass valve comes included with all units, making installation and future servicing easier. Additionally, all systems are manufactured in the USA.
What Contaminants Are Being Removed?
The ion exchange water softener uses a synthetic resin to attract hardness ions like calcium and magnesium and replace them with softer sodium. This stage will even remove small amounts of iron if present.
Granular activated carbon will remove chlorine and other unpleasant tastes and odors from your water, which will significantly improve its aesthetics. It’s worth pointing out that the carbon used in both series is activated carbon and not catalytic carbon. This means it won’t remove significant levels of chloramine, which can be an issue depending on your water source.
KDF-55 can remove up to 99% of water-soluble heavy metals like lead, mercury, chromium, and nickel and further remove chlorine. KDF media also helps eliminate the growth of microbial contaminants inside the filter tank.
Lastly, the garnet filter media will remove sediment down to 20 microns. It also helps to reduce water channeling inside the tank, which helps to keep the system filtering optimally. Only the Progressive Series features garnet media.
Installation
Keep in mind that Westinghouse requires an authorized installer to install this system without voiding the warranty. Good news is: There’s a bypass valve included.
The system will require a 120v electrical outlet connection, a drain connection for the drain line, and a second drain connection for the brine tank overflow. Detailed step-by-step instructions with illustrations are provided in the operations manual.
Tools and Materials needed for installation:
- Overflow tubing
- Adjustable wrench
- Garden hose
- Pipe cutters
- Necessary plumbing fittings and connectors
- Bucket and rags
- Grounding straps and copper wire (if grounding is needed)
The carbon filter tank should be kept upright at all times during installation. The system should be installed on level ground.
The Package (Parts)
- Media-filled refiner tank with control valve and fittings
- Valve cover
- Bypass valve
- Brine tank
- Brine tank cover
- Brine tank assembly
- 5 ft 3⁄8” brine tube
- Plumbing connectors
- Sani-system sanitizer packet
- Manual
Maintenance
As mentioned previously, the system is not intended to be installed or serviced by anyone other than an authorized dealer. Doing any DIY repairs on the system voids the warranty, which for a system of the price we are assuming would represent a major expense
The system includes highly detailed service instructions designed for an authorized professional to use, so there’s no need to worry.
Manual
Here is a link to the official manual:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XzgG8uJmTqXD-SmLwK4GuZ9C0Nf1wzPr/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XqUSP9w5qMFHPqq3to4unjlD7lbkmz1K/view
NSF and Other Certifications
The Westinghouse systems are tested and certified to several NSF/ANSI standards. This ensures that the claims made by the manufacturer are independently verified – so you can be confident they are accurate.
First, both the Progressive series and the Progressive Revolution Series are tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 61 – which is the standard for materials or products in contact with drinking water.
Both series are also tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 44, which is the standard for the effective reduction of water hardness and efficient regeneration.
Additionally, both series are tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 372. This is the standard for lead-free components in contact with drinking water.
Lastly, there’s NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for the reduction of chlorine taste/odor from water. While this sounds impressive at first glance, the actual filtration capacity for this standard is fairly low for a whole house unit (197,000 to 390,000 gallons depending on the model selected).
Earlier Product Versions
The Westinghouse Progressive Revolution Series is an advanced version of the Westinghouse Progressive Series. Both series are still available for purchase.
Westinghouse Cons
Perhaps the series’ biggest drawback is its carbon and KDF filtration capacity. With only 197,000 to 390,000 gallons of certified chlorine filtration, the system would only last for about 2 years of average use before requiring servicing. In other words, the filter media could become ineffective quite soon. But then, what do you do when the carbon/KDF has stopped working but the softening resin is still good? You could try to replace the filter media and leave the softening resin, but that sounds rather complicated. Replacing the softening resin as well would add unnecessary cost.
Additionally, the filter is only certified to remove an average of 89.9% of chlorine taste/odor. While this is not terrible, a system like this should remove a significantly higher percentage. So don’t expect a super effective filtration process removing stubborn contamination.
Next, the Westinghouse distribution model requires you to contact a local dealer to get a quote. This process involves getting your water tested and then having a system recommended/sold to you. As a result, pricing is not transparent, and you may end up paying more than the system is worth.
Lastly, Westinghouse’s warranty excludes equipment not installed or serviced by an authorized service person. This means you won’t be able to perform DIY installation or repairs – further adding to the cost.
Westinghouse Progressive/Progressive Revolution Series Review: Our Verdict + Best for
Overall, the water-softening portion of both Westinghouse series looks decent. It will effectively remove water hardness and will do so efficiently due to its demand-initiated regeneration cycle.
Our main issue with the systems concerns the lackluster filtration capacity and performance. The quantity of activated carbon and KDF media is simply not adequate for a true whole-house system. Additionally, the opaque pricing model everything included (think warranty) doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence.
All things considered, Westinghouse’s Progressive/Progressive Revolution Whole House Water Softener and Filter System Series could work out okay if you’re primarily looking for a water softener with basic filtration in a municipal water application.
Our Rating in Detail:
- Overall Performance: 3.5/5.0
- Filtering & Softening Capacity: 3.5/5.0
- Purchase Price: X.X/5.0
- Annual Cost: X.X/5.0
- Overall: 3.5/5.0
Comparison to Other Whole House Water Filter-Softener Combos
A good way to evaluate a water treatment system is by comparing it with a similar product offered by another manufacturer – in this case, we’ll take a look at the SpringWell CSS.
SpringWell CSS |
|
| Price: | $$$ |
| Treatment Process: | Ion Exchange Softening, 5-Micron Sediment, Catalytic Carbon + KDF |
| Grain Capacity: | 32,000-80,000 |
| Filter Life: | 1,000,000 gal |
| 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: |
|
|
Westinghouse Progressive (Revolution) Series |
|
| Price: | ? |
| Treatment Process: | Ion Exchange Water Softening + KDF + GAC (+ Garnet) |
| Grain Capacity: | 28,000-70,000 |
| Filter Life: | 197,389-390,000 gal |
| Flow Rate: | 9-15 gpm |
|
Overall Rating: 3.5/5.0 ⓘ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.
|
|
Like the Westinghouse systems, the SpringWell CSS uses a salt-based water softener combined with carbon and KDF media filtration. However, rather than using a 2-in-1 tank, the SpringWell uses 2 separate tanks for a much higher volume of filter media. Also, instead of regular activated carbon, the CSS uses superior catalytic carbon – which can remove chloramine, VOCs, pesticides, disinfection by-products, and more. Additionally, the CSS features a separate sediment pre-filter, which will remove sand, silt, and sediment down to 5 microns.
But what really sets the SpringWell CSS apart is its filtration capacity. The system is guaranteed to remove chlorine/chloramine to below detectable levels for 1,000,000 gallons or 6 years. This is significantly more than the Westinghouse’s 197,000 to 390,000 gallons. It also features an impressive 9-20-gallon per minute flow rate, which is better than the Westinghouse’s 9 to 15 gpm.
Additionally, the SpringWell is sold direct to the consumer, so pricing is transparent. While the system is not cheap, it appears to be significantly cheaper than the Westinghouse price quotes we’ve come across.
Lastly, you can service and install the SpringWell yourself without voiding the warranty. The SpringWell system also has a limited lifetime warranty and even a 6-month satisfaction guarantee!
More Reviews:
This completes our review of the Westinghouse Progressive and Progressive Revolution Series. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
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.