Table of Contents
🧾 Overview
The Nuvo H2O home softener system is a salt free softening system that uses the scientific process of chelation to alter the pH of water. During this process, chelating agents are used to bind to hard water causing minerals and keep them soluble, preventing them from sticking to surfaces as limescale.
The Nuvo home water softener works exactly as advertised, and offers a pretty decent value for money. It’s a good option for people looking for salt free softeners who are skeptical about their legitimacy, as the Nuvo H2O comes with FDA & NSF approval for peace of mind.
Featured inside the Nuvo H2O home softener system housing is a cartridge that is used in place of salt and resin to condition the water. The water that is produced is softer, healthier, and better for use in household appliances, as it won’t cause a build-up of scale.
The system comes with a replacement cartridge free of charge. You’ll need to factor in cartridge replacements after every 20,000 gallons of water used to make sure the Nuvo system continues to work effectively.
đź’ˇ Features
- Nuvo H2O softener housing and its cartridge, plus 1 replacement cartridge.
- Mounting back plate, bracket and screws for securing the conditioner at a wall.
- Housing wrench for installation.
- Bypass valve for diverting water to the main pipe when changing the cartridge.
🚦 Performance
The Nuvo softener runs similarly to a standard salt based softener, without the salt. Note that the unit is really good at processing standard municipal water, but it can’t handle sediment from well water.
If you’re looking for a softener for your home’s well water supply, the Nuvo isn’t for you.
Generally, you can expect high performance from the Nuvo H2O softener. The system doesn’t regenerate, so you won’t ever need to wait for water between cycles. It’ll perform efficiently up until it needs its cartridge changing, which is why it’s important that you keep up with your changing schedule as per the product’s user instructions.
The Nuvo H2O home softener system doesn’t require electricity to run, nor will it need salt top-ups or waste water while it’s running. It has a flow rate of 12 to 15 gpm, which is fairly standard for a softener, making it suitable for use in an average sized household.
🔧 Installation & Maintenance
The Nuvo water softener comes with everything you’ll need for a simple installation. The mounting gear, with backplate, bracket and screws are clearly defined and easy to set up yourself. You don’t need a plumber to help with installation, although you could choose to hire one if you preferred.
With a bypass valve to install at your main water pipe, you’ll be able to divert water away from the Nuvo home softener while you’re performing maintenance or changing the cartridge. This means you’ll still get access to drinking water whether you’re using the Nuvo system or not.
Because there is no salt or resin in the Nuvo H2O home softener system, you’ll need to change the cartridge regularly. This is the biggest maintenance job you’ll have for the system, and it doesn’t require much elbow grease – you just take out the old cartridge and slot a new one in place. How often the cartridge needs changing depends on household use, but the manufacturer states that you can get around 50,000 gallons, or roughly 6 months’ worth, of water per cartridge.
đź“ť System Info
The unit has a salt-free cartridge that softens water, which is rare (most saltless systems don’t actually remove hardness causing minerals). Your water should lather better and reduce dryness in your hair and skin, as well as leaving no scale deposits on your surfaces. As the Nuvo H2O home softener system doesn’t add salt to your water, you won’t experience a sliminess in your water that salt-based systems sometimes cause.
Not many other softeners use the chelating process that the Nuvo H2O system uses. During the process, the mineral ions that cause hard water – i.e. calcium and magnesium – are bound to a chelating agent, which keeps the minerals soluble and unable to cause hard water problems. This technique is FDA-approved, which should offer some reassurance if you’re feeling skeptical.
đź”” Pros & Cons
Pros
- Saltless system that softens water, rather than simply conditioning it.
- Bypass valve for convenience.
- Suitable for people on low sodium diets.
- Doesn’t waste water or electricity, or require salt top-ups.
- Comes with the first replacement cartridge.
- FDA-approved method of softening.
- Fairly good value for money.
Cons
- Cartridge only lasts 6 months – will require replacing after around 50,000 gallons of household water use.
- Removes calcium and magnesium from water, which give water a more preferable taste.
- You may require a plumber for installation.
- Doesn’t effectively process well water.
âť” Frequently Asked Questions
How often should i replace the cartridge?
You should replace the cartridge every six months or so, depending on use.
How much do replacement cartridges cost?
Price varies on cartridge size of the system. Studio size is $49.99, Home size is $69.99, and Manor size is $89.99
Does the system come with a cartridge?
Yes, the system comes with the first cartridge.
Can this system be used with well water?
Yes, but it is recommended that you first conduct a water quality analysis to determine what is in your water. This water softener will only address water hardness. In order to remove other contaminants you will need to also use a whole house water filter.
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