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This product review features the WaterBoss 900 water softener.
It’s a satisfactory ion-exchange system featuring a softening capacity of 36,400 grains. Depending on the hardness of your water supply, the unit is generally suitable for an average household.
The WaterBoss 900 can also remove up to 10 parts per million (ppm) of ferrous iron; and it’s equipped with an inbuilt sediment filter. So it covers water softening and basic water filtration.
With other features like the digital control panel, on-demand regeneration and a powerCLEAN option, the efficient all-in-one water softener looks like a good choice to get for your home.
But is it really?
Contents
WaterBoss 900 Review – Main Specs
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- For tap water and well water
- Water softener type: Salt
- Grain capacity: 36,400
- Flow rate: 8 gallons per minute (1-3 bathrooms)
- Resin and brine tank size: 14 ¾” x 18 ¾” x 30 ¾” (W x D x H), 170 lbs salt storage capacity
- Water pressure: 20 to 120 psi
- NSF: 44
Highlights
At the beginning of our WaterBoss water softener review, a few highlights:
Suited for Very Hard Water
The WaterBoss 900 water softener can handle up to 90 grains per gallon hardness. According to the USGS[1], water above 10.51 gpg is already categorized as “very hard”. It’s safe to assume that this water softener can take on any hard water.
Economic
On-demand regeneration means the WaterBoss recharges based on your water usage. The goal is to use as little energy, salt and water as possible. The effect gets amplified because the system regenerates much quicker than other water softeners.
Iron & Sediment Removal
In addition to softening water, the WaterBoss 900 also reduces up to 10 ppm iron and sediments – both are commonly found in well water supplies.
Compact
The all-in-one resin and brine tank is space saving.
Pros
- The WaterBoss 900 water softener is ideal if you are dealing with very hard water. This is because it can remove hardness up to 90 grains per gallon.
- The unit can also reduce 10 ppm of iron content if you use water from a private or public well. It is important to note that you must use pellet salt with rust remover occasionally for resin recharge to work.
- A bonus 20-micron pre-filter blocks out sediment and large particles preventing them from passing through to the softening resin. It helps increase the durability of the unit. The best part – the sediment filter is self-cleaning and does not need replacement.
- The most significant feature of the unit is that it regenerates only when required rather than at a fixed time. That means it works according to the water requirement in your house. Thus, wasting minimal energy, salt and water.
- In the same way, the system utilizes 75% less salt for regeneration than other water softeners. However, there are few prerequisites that enable the system to reach such efficiency. Firstly, the water’s pH level should be above 7. Next, the brine tank should be at least ⅓ full, and finally, you must only use pellets, cubes, or solar salt.
- As compared to other water softeners, the WaterBoss 900 requires less time to complete the regeneration process. The average time is around 40 minutes. Ultimately, you save on electricity costs.
- Thankfully, the enclosed unit is sleek and compact and doesn’t create any noise during operation. So, it can fit perfectly anywhere around your home.
- NSF Standard 44 certification ensures the system lives up to the minimum requirements of materials, design, construction and performance.
- Moreover, the system has a three-year limited warranty on the appliance.
- Not only that, but you also receive a ten-year warranty for the resin tank and the outer cabinet.
- Finally, the system is manufactured in the USA to ensure premium quality.
Cons
At first glance, the WaterBoss 900 seems like the ideal option for your family. However, the unit comes with a fair share of issues that we would like to highlight.
- The system may not be suitable for use with chlorinated water.
- The control system is installed in the brine tank. As a result, the screws in the brine tank often corrode due to continuous exposure to salt. This is a design flaw that leads to leakage in the unit.
A little trick is to coat the screws with gel or replace them with stainless steel screws. - Moreover, the magnetic wheel design also suffers from quality issues as it is not at par with the expected quality.
- We have also read multiple reviews where the consumers had to deal with the poor quality of the parts and controls.
- The WaterBoss customer service has failed to serve many worried consumers. Even though you have a three-year warranty, most customers complained of poor after-sales service.
- In essence, the unit is not durable and fails to work as efficiently as expected.
Installation
Installing the WaterBoss system is a DIY project that doesn’t take up a lot of your time. All you need is a few hours and basic know-how of plumbing around the house. Not to mention, the setup is relatively more manageable due to the built-in bypass valve.
Like all water softeners, the first step towards setting up a system is to analyze where it should be placed. Thanks to the covered and compact design, the unit can be placed anywhere around the house.
However, you must consider the following key points before proceeding.
- It should be installed at the point where water enters your home to soften the water used all over the house.
- It needs an electric supply.
- Make sure there is a drainage pipe nearby.
- Avoid placing it in an area that receives direct sunlight or is prone to extreme temperatures.
- The floor should be level.
Basic Steps
The user manual has precise and elaborate explanations regarding all the parts and installation processes.
Here are the basic steps to follow.
- To begin, turn off the water supply to your home. Next, drain the water in your pipes by opening a few faucets around the house.
- Position the unit in its place, leaving approximately 8 inches from the wall for hoses.
- You will now need to extend the incoming water line and outgoing water line to send water back to your home.
- Connect the flexible hoses to your existing plumbing using 1” threaded connectors.
- Next, attach the flex pipes to the unit paying attention to the arrows. The incoming pipe goes to the inlet port on the left side and vice versa. At this point, make sure that the hose bends gradually and has no abrupt twists that can restrict water flow.
- Then it’s time to connect the drain line to expel water using regeneration. Using the ½” tubing, connect the drain line to the unit. Note that the drainpipe should not be connected directly to the drain. The water needs to fall into the atmosphere and then end up in the drainage.
- Finally, you can turn on your softener but in bypass mode. Then, turn on the water taps to expel air until it flows in a steady stream.
- Twist the knob to bring the unit into service mode. Now add 2 gallons of water into the brine tank and fill it with salt. At the same time, connect the system to a power outlet so you can start programming the regeneration cycle.
- Use the strips provided to determine the water hardness level and set the unit accordingly.
- Flush the system properly before using the water.
Refer to this video in case you still need visual clarification.
Maintenance
Once you have set the control for manual or automatic regeneration, there’s not much to do.
Just make sure to check your brine tank once every four to six weeks. If you see the water level is above the salt level, it’s time to add more salt.
What’s Included
Here are the contents of the package:
- Resin + brine tank combo
- Water test strips
- User guide
- Bypass valve
- Drainpipe
- Superfine mesh resin and filter media
- Installation kit
WaterBoss Water Softener Review – Conclusion & Best For
The WaterBoss 900 water softener is an all-in-one unit including a pre sediment filter, iron removal ability, self-regeneration modes and it comes with an easy installation.
However, consumer ratings paint a different picture. Overall, the system lacks quality and isn’t as efficient as advertised, as per the reviews. While some consumers are thoroughly satisfied, plenty others found the WaterBoss 900 a flop.
The unresponsive customer service is the final blow to the unit’s performance, and therefore our team doesn’t actively recommend the system.
If you have questions about our WaterBoss 900 review please leave a comment below!
Further Reading
Resources
Outside of his writing work, Rory enjoys photographing the Irish landscape and making music!