Water softeners - talk to me

[Blue Oval84]

So, as I continue to bring my flat up to scratch, I'm looking at trying to change the kitchen and boiler this year, but think a water softener should be fitted at the same time (water main is under the kitchen sink). I live in Brighton and the water is mega hard, which does my head in as everything it touches gets covered in limescale immediately!

So, I don't know a lot about water softeners, but it seems that non-electric, salt-based systems are the ones to go for?

Are there any best brands to look out for? Rough costs?

I've seen some that use block salt, but apparently these are more expensive to run than those that run on sacks of loose salt, can I not just pour bagged salt into the block salt models?

So, any pitfalls I should be aware of, or recommendations from people who have them?

[Blue Oval84]

Thanks for the input guys, particuarly the picture of the install.

Regarding the Tapworks electric softener, I gather that a Kinetico is more expensive, but in what ways is it better than the electric Tapworks?

The reason I'm keen to nail the decision quickly is because there is currently a fully refurbished Kinetico 2020 on eBay for £450 with new resin etc. If it's the best then I think that may be worth a punt over a new one at £900, but obviously if a Tapworks is only £450 brand new and not demonstrably worse then I may prefer to buy new!

Edited by Blue Oval84 on Friday 30th January 13:13

[Blue Oval84]

Great, will go for the Kinetico then seeing as it's available now on eBay. I know a good plumber so I'm sure he'll be able to plumb it in with relative ease

If he thinks he'll need pictures I'll definitely give you a shout!

Thanks all!

[Blue Oval84]

Thought I had better update this to say that I didn't win the auction for the Kinetico, then my boiler started to show even more signs of imminent failure so I've put the water softener on the back burner.

£2,200 for a sodding boiler.