Kenmore Water Softener model #38826 Ultra 250A

[ashokdm]

Hi I am a newbie to Water softeners. THis model says it is "Deluxe Valve designed for homes with up to 1" plumbing" but the plumber who came to install said this is 3/4 inch softener and I need 1 inch softener as my hom has 1 inch pipes. DO I really need to buy 1 inch softener. Is this model work with my pipe.

[nomind]

Hi Ashokdm, -do you have a really large home, and where is it? -It would be fairly unusual to have 1" piping in a regular north american house. Also, unless I'm mistaken, the choice of water softeners depends more on amount of usage rather than just size of pipe. Please post back and let us know :cool:

[ashokdm]

I have a 3 BR single family with 3 and half bath. Myself, my wife and 5 yr daughter.. I looked and I do have 1 inch pipes. So based on the hardness which is 7 .. I thought 36000 grins softener is more than enough.. Why I cannot connect 1 inch pipe to my softner though bypass valve ( i think this is 1 inch ) and 2 copper tubes ( 3/4 inch ). All these came with the softener I bought at Sears

[nomind]

Hi Ashokdm,
- mechanically there's no problem with using a reducer at both inlet and outlet of the machine. :cool:

[ashokdm]

Thx a lot for the reply. WIll there be any issues in future. What plumber is saying "the house inspector wont allow this. Means using a reducer to connect 1" pipe - 3/4" copper tube-bypass valve is going to be a problem in future". I dont understand this??

[Gary Slusser]

Yep, US national plumbing codes say no reduction with the connectors to the softener/filter. A really DUMB code. Most manufacturers offer a 1" connector to their 3/4" by-pass or control valves. So ask Sears about a 1" by-pass valve or its connectors.

If I'm right the softener is too small for your peak demand flow rate, or house/family. The most important part of sizing a softener/filter is the SFR (service flow rating) of the softener or filter. Meaning that if the flow rate of the water exceeds the SFR of the unit, it can't remove all the hardness in the water. The capacity of the softener is adjustable by adjusting the salt dose, the SFR is dictated by the volume of resin in cubic feet. Resin manufacturers say 7.5 gpm peak flow per cuft of resin. Those same codes say the softener's SFR must equal or surpass the peak demand of the total fixture unit count of the building. That's as ridiculous as the no reduction because who uses all the water in a house at once? So size for the peak demand as you 3-4 people live in the house. You may want to take the softener back and do some homework on the internet. Then install your own softener; it's really simple and anyone with the desire can do it.

Gary
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Company Name Removed Only
Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2