What is a water softener?
A water softener is a system designed to remove hardness minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium, from your water supply. These minerals are responsible for scale buildup, soap inefficiency, and long-term wear on plumbing and appliances.
What are the benefits of soft water?
Soft water helps prevent scale buildup in pipes and appliances, improves soap and detergent performance, and reduces spotting on fixtures and glassware. It can also extend the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines while improving overall cleaning efficiency.
How does a water softener work?
A water softener uses a process called ion exchange to remove hardness minerals. As water passes through resin beads inside the tank, calcium and magnesium are exchanged for sodium or potassium ions, resulting in softened water.
What does regeneration mean?
Regeneration is the automatic cleaning cycle that restores the resin beads inside the system. During this process, a saltwater solution flushes out accumulated hardness minerals so the softener can continue producing soft water efficiently.
What GPG is considered soft water?
Water measuring 0–3 grains per gallon (GPG) is considered soft. Levels above that range indicate increasing hardness and may require treatment depending on household preference and appliance sensitivity.
What is the lifespan of a water softener?
With proper maintenance, most water softeners last approximately 8–10 years. Routine salt refilling, annual resin cleaning, and correct system programming can help maximize lifespan and performance.
Salt & Brine Talk
How much salt should the brine tank hold?
Start with approximately 80 pounds of pellet-style water softener salt and about 5 gallons of water. This establishes the proper brine solution needed for regeneration. Avoid exceeding 80 pounds at a time to prevent salt bridging.
What is the maximum amount of salt the brine tank can hold?
The brine tank can hold up to approximately 120 pounds of salt. However, regularly maintaining around 80 pounds is recommended for optimal performance and to reduce the risk of clogs or bridging.
When should I replace or refill the salt?
Refill the brine tank when the salt level drops to about 2–3 inches above the bottom of the tank. Checking salt levels monthly helps ensure consistent regeneration and soft water production.
What kind of salt do you recommend?
Pellet-style water softener salt is recommended because it dissolves evenly and produces less residue. This helps reduce the likelihood of salt bridges and buildup inside the brine tank.
How many pounds of salt are used during regeneration?
Most regeneration cycles use approximately 6–12 pounds of salt, depending on system size and programming. Actual usage may vary based on water hardness and household demand.
Is it normal to have water in the brine tank?
Yes. The water level will vary depending on the amount of salt present, but water should typically sit a few inches above the salt during normal operation. This water is necessary to create the brine solution used during regeneration.
What happens if I add too much salt?
Adding more than 120 pounds of salt can lead to salt bridging and may interfere with proper regeneration. If the tank is overfilled, remove excess salt to restore normal operation.
Why is there brown or foamy water in my brine tank?
Salt is a naturally mined mineral and may contain minor impurities. Brown or slightly foamy water is typically caused by suspended minerals and is generally harmless.
Regeneration & Programming
How often does the system regenerate?
The system regenerates automatically when the remaining gallon capacity reaches zero. For most households, this typically occurs every 15–29 days, depending on water usage and hardness levels.
How long does the regeneration cycle take?
A full regeneration cycle typically takes approximately 97 minutes. During this time, the system goes through multiple stages to clean and recharge the resin.
How much water is used during regeneration?
The system uses approximately 60–80 gallons of water per regeneration cycle. Actual usage may vary slightly based on programming and system size.
How many modes does the control head have?
The control head has three regeneration modes: M (Meter Immediate), TM (Time Meter Delayed), and T (Timer). Most households are set to TM mode, which regenerates at 2:00 AM after gallons reach zero.
What settings does the customer need to change when programming the control head?
In most cases, only two settings require adjustment: the current time and the gallon capacity. All other settings should remain at their default values unless instructed otherwise.
What does BW, BD, RR, and BF stand for?
These abbreviations appear in the control head settings and represent the different stages of the regeneration cycle.
- BW = Backwash
- BD = Brine Draw
- RR = Rapid Rinse
- BF = Brine Fill
These stages make up the regeneration cycle and work together to clean and recharge the resin.
Can I adjust the time the system regenerates?
Yes. The regeneration time can be adjusted in the programming settings. However, the default 2:00 AM regeneration time is recommended because it typically occurs during low household water usage.
Is a time override necessary?
No. The time override setting should remain off under normal operation. The system is designed to regenerate automatically based on gallon usage.
Can I change the display to standard (12-hour) time?
No. The control head uses military (24-hour) time format only.
How do I start manual regeneration?
Press and hold the “Regen” or “Cycle” button until the system begins the regeneration process. Manual regeneration may be useful after maintenance or troubleshooting.
How do I stop or skip a regeneration cycle?
Press and hold the button again to advance to the next stage, or press the up and down arrows simultaneously to skip forward. This allows you to move through the cycle manually if needed.
How do I access the settings menu?
Press the curved arrow and the up arrow (the two buttons on the left) at the same time to enter the settings menu.
Why are gallons no longer showing on the screen?
If the display shows a clock instead of remaining gallons, the system has exhausted its capacity and is scheduled to regenerate. Once regeneration completes, the gallon display will return.
Installation & Setup
Can the system be installed outdoors?
Outdoor installation is possible but not ideal. The unit must be fully protected from freezing temperatures, direct sunlight, rain, and environmental exposure. Damage caused by outdoor conditions is not covered under warranty.
How far can the drain line be run vertically?
The drain line can be run up to 7 feet vertically. Exceeding this height may create back pressure and interfere with proper regeneration.
Where should I drain the system?
The Harmony system drains at a maximum of approximately 3 gallons per minute. It should be directed into a floor drain or other approved drain capable of handling at least 5–7 gallons per minute to prevent backflow.
Can I drain into a septic system?
Draining into a septic system is not recommended, as repeated discharge may contribute to overflow or disruption of the septic system balance.
Does the system require power?
Yes. The Harmony water softener requires a standard electrical outlet to operate the control head. The system does not include a battery backup.
Does the system have a battery backup?
No. The system does not include a built-in battery backup. If you experience frequent power outages, using a surge protector with battery backup may help prevent service interruptions.
Do I need a plumber, or can I install it myself?
Harmony systems are designed with DIY installation in mind. However, if you are not comfortable with plumbing connections, hiring a licensed plumber is recommended.
How much does installation cost?
Installation costs vary depending on the home’s plumbing configuration and local labor rates. Aquasure does not provide installation services, so pricing will depend on the installer you choose.
Will the system affect my water pressure?
Standard Harmony models do not noticeably affect water pressure. Fine Mesh (FM) models may cause a slight reduction due to the finer resin, though most homeowners do not notice a difference.
Does the system have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?
No. The Harmony system does not have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or app connectivity features.
Does the system log regeneration history?
No. The system does not store or display a history log of past regeneration cycles.
Models & Media
What is the difference between FP and WS tanks?
The primary difference is the filtration media inside the tank. WS (Water Softener) tanks contain ion-exchange resin beads designed to remove hardness minerals, while FP (Fortitude Pro) tanks contain carbon and specialty media for filtration purposes.
What type of media is in the water softener tank?
Harmony water softeners use ion-exchange resin beads. These beads remove calcium and magnesium through the ion exchange process to produce soft water.
What type of media is in the Fortitude Pro tank?
The Fortitude Pro tank contains a blend of coconut shell activated carbon and KDF media. This combination is designed to reduce chlorine, odors, and other contaminants.
What color are the resin beads?
The resin beads are typically amber or gold in color. This is normal and does not indicate wear or contamination.
What does FM stand for?
FM stands for Fine Mesh. Fine Mesh systems use a denser resin designed for homes with higher iron levels.
What does D stand for?
D stands for Standard. Standard models use 8% crosslink resin and are suitable for typical municipal water conditions.
What is the difference between FM and D models?
FM (Fine Mesh) models use 8% fine mesh resin and are better suited for homes with higher iron levels, typically above 2 ppm. D (Standard) models use 8% crosslink resin and are ideal for standard water conditions with lower iron content.
What sizes are available for Harmony Lite?
Harmony Lite models are available in 32,000 and 34,000 grain capacities. These compact systems are ideal for smaller homes or installations with limited space.
What sizes are available for the Harmony Series?
The Harmony Series is available in the following grain capacities: 32k, 34k, 40k, 48k, 50K, 64k, 70k, and 72k. Some grain capacities are only available on specific marketplaces.
Is there an electronic upgrade available for the manual control valve?
Yes. An electronic control head upgrade is available for an additional cost. This allows for automated regeneration and programmable settings.