Rheem water softener reviews
Last updated on: September 1, 2023.
Water softeners have become a necessity in almost all regions across the country. While not all parts of the country have hard water, and not all hardness levels are the same, water does bring in some impurities from the water pipe or the ground. Water softeners can help remove the hard minerals, such as calcium and magnesium ions replacing them with sodium ions. They can also filter the water to make it clean and soft.
Rheem’s new salt-based electric water softeners are designed to provide your home with the best-treated water. The Series features various models designed to meet the needs of any level of water softness, and each model is equipped with several different features that make it the perfect choice for your water softening needs.
Benefits of Rheem’s New Preferred Water Softener Series
Soft water

It can help to improve the quality of your hard water. If you have water with a high level of minerals, you will notice a difference in the quality of your water after using a water softener. The minerals in hard water can be challenging to clean dishes and clothing and cause your skin and hair to become itchy and dry, respectively. A water softener will remove the minerals from your water, leaving you with softer water.
Save money

It can help save you money. Hard water can damage your appliances, like water heaters, etc.; over time, this damage can add up to a significant amount of money. Water softener systems will protect your appliances from the damage caused by hard water, which can help you save money over time. In addition, soft water is also great for healthier skin and hair and can help you save money on shampoo and conditioner.
Save the planet

It is also good for the environment. Typically, water softening systems use salt to remove the minerals from your water, and this salt is then flushed down the drain. This salt can eventually end up in the groundwater, polluting the environment.
However, Rheem’s water softener series uses a special type of salt that is not harmful to the environment, and this salt is also biodegradable. It means that it will not pollute the environment and eventually break down into harmless substances.
The Rheem Preferred Water Softener Series with its high-impact salt storage tank is the perfect choice for any home, and it can provide several benefits for your water softening needs. Rheem’s preferred water softener series can help improve your water quality, save you money by using less salt and water, and protect the environment. For more information on Rheem’s Preferred Series:
What are the three models of Rheem water softeners?

The Rheem® PREFERRED™ 32,000 grain water softener is ideal as a house water softener and uses Rheem’s Learning technology. It has a small footprint and is eco-friendly. It has smart features and also comes with a hardness testing strip. It has a 32000-grain capacity and alerts you every four months that it is time to clean the water softening system. It has a one-year extendable warranty. You have a low salt monitor that will let you know when it is time to add salt when the blue status light flashes slowly, indicating a low salt level. It is user-friendly and easily programmable with a customizable water hardness level with the blending valve.
The Rheem® PREFERRED Plus™ 42,000 grain water softener can handle the soft water demands of households of any size. Like the other Rheem models, it has an in-built Learning Technology to adapt to different amounts of water consumption, saving on water, energy, salt, or sodium chloride, and money. It has simple onboard programming, doesn’t need filter replacements, and has a low salt indicator light to alert you when the salt levels are low.
The Rheem® PREFERRED Platinum™ 42,000 Grain WiFi Water Softener is suitable for large households. It also has a free iQua™ water management smartphone app. This app has a low salt monitor that enables critical alerts on low salt levels and water-flow events. It also provides data on water pressure and water usage patterns over time, and you can monitor, control, and manually start the regeneration cycle. It is great for remote water management. Additionally, it has an optional shut-off valve.
Rheem Vs. Fleck. When to use each one?
Rheem and Fleck are two of the most popular water softener brands on the market. They both offer a variety of models to choose from, with advanced technology and features, so it can be tough to decide which one is right for your home. Here is a breakdown of the two brands to help you make a decision.
Rheem water softeners are some of the most advanced on the market. They use a unique filtration system to remove minerals from your water, giving you softened water. Rheem also offers a variety of features, such as a digital display and automatic regeneration cycles.
Fleck water softeners are also very popular. They use a different filtration system than Rheem, but they are just as effective. Fleck also offers a variety of features, such as a digital display and an automatic regeneration cycle. So, which water softener is right for you? It depends on your needs.
If you have hard water, then either Rheem or Fleck will work well. If you want the most advanced filtration system, then go with Rheem. If you want a water softener with all the bells and whistles, then go with Fleck.
The best Fleck water softener is the DURAWATER Fleck 5600 SXT Iron Blaster 48,000 Grain water softener pre-loaded with resin beads. It can also remove trace amounts of iron with the other hard minerals. It has a digital-metered valve for maximum efficiency and comes with a 5-year warranty.
Verdict
According to our research and our review of water softeners available today, including salt-based and salt-free devices, we shortlisted Fleck and Rheem’s water softeners, each of which comes with different models and softening capacity. Our verdict on the best Fleck water softener is the Durawater Fleck 5600 SXT Iron Blaster 48,000-grain system. It is good value for money and is ideal for a small family of four. It is also easy to install and has a 5-year warranty.
However, if you are looking for an eco-friendly filtration system, our verdict is the Rheem’s Preferred Series. Rheem’s offers built-in Learning Technology and a mobile app to control and monitor the device. The alert lets you know it is time to clean the device and can be particularly helpful for people with busy lives, ensuring peak performance consistently.
Final Words
Anyone dealing with water hardness would want a good water softening system that can remove the hard minerals and provide soft drinking water for their homes. The choice of the water softener system will depend on your home needs, water usage, and budget.
We have compared the Fleck water softener against the Rheem’s Preferred Series to give you an idea of what each of them offers for softening water. It should make it easier for you to choose the right one for you and your family.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Are Rheem water softeners NSF certified?
Yes. Rheem water softeners are NSF certified as they conform to NSF/ANSI Standard 44 and is verified by test data.
2. Where to buy a Rheem water softener?
You can buy a Rheem water softener at Rheem’s, Amazon, or any store like Home Depot. You need to know the grain capacity you need and select the salt-based unit you need.
3. How long do Rheem water softeners last?
Water softeners can last between ten and twenty years, depending on the upkeep and maintenance. It is durable and has a double-lined mineral tank that is rust-resistant. The tanks have a 10-year guarantee.
4. Which salt is best for Rheem water softener?
The best choice of salt for Rheem water softener should be 99+% pure with less than 1% impurities. You must make sure that the salt is specific to your water softener. For example, solar salt, i.e., evaporated salt water in a crystallized form, pellet salt, etc. Some special salts like Potassium Chloride (KCL) can also be used with the respective programs on the device.
5. How do you clean a Rheem water softener?
Rheem water softener comes with a ‘clean’ feature, and the unit can be cleaned by pressing the button of this feature. Rheem also has a cleanser to help clean the unit every four months to ensure peak performance. You can pour the cleanser into the brine tank tube inside the tank and close it. Press the ‘recharge’ button and let the system run. Complete cleaning will take around two and a half hours. You can then open the bypass valve or turn it in the right direction and let the faucets run for a few minutes so that the cleanser is completely removed from the water.
6. Does Rheem water softener automatically regenerate?
All Rheem water softeners have the demand-initiated regenerating feature and will recharge automatically when needed and based on water usage patterns and hardness levels.
7. How to install a Rheem water softener?
Rheem’s Preferred Series water softeners are designed for easy installation and low maintenance. These softeners come with a pre-charged resin bed, making them ready to install right out of the box. Simply connect the incoming water line to the softener and the outgoing water line to the drain. There is no need to add any chemicals or salt to the unit, making it a maintenance-free option for your home.
8. Are Rheem water softeners good for well water?
The Rheem’s Preferred Series of water softeners can be used for city and well water. A process called ion exchange removes hard minerals with equal efficiency from groundwater and water supply from the municipality.
9. Who manufactures Rheem water softeners?
Rheem Manufacturing Company is one of the largest American manufacturers of water heaters, boilers, HVAC units, and water softeners. They are headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company is a subsidiary of Paloma industries.
Conclusion
Setting hardness levels in a water softener is key to having the system work effectively and efficiently. Whether the water softener has the option to set it manually or it comes programmed, the water softener must work to remove the hard water-inducing minerals such as calcium and magnesium, and iron.
Since the objective is to get softened water for consumption, it is imperative that the hardness levels are set accurately keeping the hardness of the water in mind.
You can start by testing the water in your home, be it well water or municipality water supply. Once you have the report, you can invest in a water softener and set the hardness level accordingly to ensure an uninterrupted supply of safe and soft water.
About The Author

Judith— a passionate water treatment specialist — is a waste water management enthusiast, clean drinking water advocate, and someone with deep personal experience and knowledge about various water equipments. Her work was mentioned in countless notable water associations. Previously she was an editor at Water Alliance.