Water Softeners Systems Compared: Culligan versus Florida Water Technologies
Brad Berdon • March 6, 2018

Florida Water Technologies water filtration systems are built with the latest technology, providing clean, fresh, and pure water that you want and deserve. Our experienced staff offer cleaning services to your existing or new water softener and annual product checks.

This comparison is between our Premium Option: Platinum Series water softener and the Culligan HE Water Softener. If you are living in the Jacksonville area, we have all heard the stories about Culligan. They are a national brand, they are proprietary, the highest prices for water softener systems, very high service rates and the list is endless.

Florida Water Technologies takes pride in offering our customers a quality product with common sense prices. That holds true in every conversation we have with all of our potential customers. With over 100 5 Star Google reviews, we always let our customers tell the story. Here is an excerpt from a review completed last week: “I recently had my water softener replaced by Florida Water Technologies and I have to say so far my experience with them has been great. Brad who came to evaluate what I currently had was very professional and honest and recommended what was best considering the situation we had with our water (super stinky smell). Unlike the other company I had originally called he did have a water testing kit. He scheduled me right away to have my old water softener replaced within a couple days, would have probably been sooner if it wasn’t for the weekend that fell in between. I thought the great experience had ended there but to my surprise the person who came on Monday (Josh) to replace it was amazing, very professional great attitude and very patient. He explained every little detail I had questions on, he was very thorough. So far our water has no smell at all runs super clean and Josh tested it again before he left after installing our water softener, they even shocked our pipes and made sure they were free of any bacteria. I recommend them 100%!!! And forgot to mention that Brad contacted me probably less than 10 minutes after I had submitted my request online for a quote and he came by and didn’t charge me for the service call.” That’s our goal. To make the right decision for your needs at a common sense rate.

What is the difference with the high priced Culligan water softener? Is it worth it. Do the higher priced water softeners at Culligan deliver more value than those offered by Florida Water Technologies? In a side by side comparison this entry will provide raw data that you may find surprising. The items to be compared are flow rates, warranties, and prices . Do you end up getting more for your money by purchasing a Culligan HE water softener? Let’s find out.

What are Flow Rates for a water softener?

The Florida Water Technologies representatives will evaluate the number of fixtures within the home to determine the proper flow rate. Flow rates are measured in gallons per minute (gpm). You may be experiencing low pressure when you are doing laundry, filling a bath, and running the dishwasher. This might be directly related to the water flow rate of the existing water softener. Water softener flow rates are outlined according to the spec sheets as “service” (or standard flow rate) and “peak” (or max flow rate).

Culligan HE Water Softener

  • Service Flow Rate:  = 9 Gallons Per Minute
  • Max Flow Rate:        = 10.8 Gallons Per Minute 

Platinum Series

  • Service Flow Rate: = 11.3 Gallons Per Minute 
  • Max Flow Rate:        = 14.5 Gallons Per Minute 

The Culligan HE delivers a lesser flow rate at service and peak flow times. The Platinum Series is a superior water softener system that delivers a higher service and peak flow that’s beneficial to larger homes with active fixtures. This extra volume might the difference for your home or business at a lower cost.

Be sure to ask about the Culligan warranties 

Warranties are compared by what they exclude or simply do not cover at all . Surprisingly the higher priced Culligan model He has the least amount of warranty coverage than any water softener available. The main wearable items inside a water softener are the internal valve parts and the resin or media. The internal parts receive friction and are comprised of seals and gaskets while the resin, or media, is the main component of a water softener. If a company doesn’t cover or excludes these items from the warranty then you will be responsible for their full replacement cost’s, parts and labor. The Pro-Mate 6.0 is lower in cost AND covers the internal parts.

Culligan Model He

  • The entire conditioner and media              1 Year
  • The Valve Body and PC Board                    10 Years
    • EXCLUDES INTERNAL PARTS
  • Softener Tank                                                Lifetime
    • EXCLUDES RESIN MEDIA

Platinum Series

  • The Entire Conditioner                               5 Years to Lifetime
  • The Valve and PC Board                             5 Years to Lifetime
    • INCLUDES INTERNAL PARTS
  • Softener Tank                                               10 Years to Lifetime

Florida Water Technologies provides an exclusive lifetime warranty on approved package purchases. Ask your sales representative for more details.

Why is Culligan so high in price? 

Price ranges vary in the Jacksonville FL water softener market. Comparing prices is easier once you know what a water softener costs. According to the Water Technology Magazine annual dealer survey water softeners range from $1600-$1900 including installation. Some companies follow this model and some do not. A company that seeks charge much higher than this range should be questioned. In light of the facts we’ve covered today you don’t always end up getting more by paying more…sometimes you just pay more.

Culligan Model He

  • Price Range: $3199-$3499  yikes! 

Platinum Series

  • Price Range: $1799-$1999 

Our water softeners not only outperform Culligan Water Softeners they cost less to

How To Avoid Water Softener Failure: Internal Collector and Distributor

By Brad Berdon • March 25, 2025
The Importance of Quality Parts in Your Jacksonville Water Softener System When it comes to building a water softener system in Jacksonville, FL, the quality of the parts used plays a crucial role in the system's longevity and performance. High-quality components ensure your water softener will last for years, providing optimal service. However, using low-quality parts can lead to frequent breakdowns and costly repairs. The challenge is, many of the critical parts are hidden from view, making it difficult for homeowners—and even salespeople—to know what’s inside the systems they’re buying. These decisions are often made by franchises or business owners, not the sales team. One of the most important internal components of your water softener is the collector and riser tube. Let’s dive into why this part is so vital. What is the Collector and Riser Tube? The collector and riser tube are key internal plumbing components in a water softener system. They work together to ensure the efficient flow of treated water throughout your home. The lower basket collects softened water from the bottom of the tank, and then the water is sent upwards through the riser or distributor tube. This treated water is what exits the system and flows into your home, ready for use. Meanwhile, the upper basket helps prevent resin from escaping the main tank during the regeneration process. The Dangers of Low-Quality Components When low-quality parts are used, particularly in the bottom collector and riser tube, the system is at risk of failure. If these parts break or degrade over time, the resin inside the tank could escape, potentially clogging your plumbing lines with resin. You see, a lot of weight is resting on top of the collector basket at the bottom of the tank and if the materials used are weak, failure can occur. The resulting damage can be expensive to repair and may require significant work to fix. Unfortunately, this isn’t just a theoretical issue—it's something that’s happened to homeowners before. Why We Choose Quality Over Profits At Florida Water Technologies Inc., we prioritize quality over cutting corners to save a few dollars. That's why we've been in business since 2008. We believe that using high-quality components is the only way to ensure our systems perform reliably over time. By demanding the best from our suppliers, we deliver systems that stand the test of time and provide consistent, high-quality performance for years to come. Investing in a water softener with top-quality parts isn’t just about avoiding headaches—it’s about enjoying peace of mind and ensuring your home’s water system remains in top shape. Choose wisely, and make sure the water softener you’re investing in is built to last.

Why Don't Water Softeners Last Longer?

By Brad Berdon • May 9, 2024
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Is a Water Softener usually Installed next to the Water Heater?

By Brad Berdon • April 2, 2024
Although there are water pipes near the water heater, they may not be the right pipe to connect a water softener system. You see, the right pipe to connect a water softener to is the main supply pipe or service pipe. Connecting a water softener to the service pipe assures 100% soft water on both the cold and hot side of the plumbing system. Can the service pipe be located next to the water heater? Sometimes yes, but more often no. If your home has a water softener loop this means the service pipe is pre plumbed to a convenient location in the garage, often times near the water heater. If your home does not have the loop then you will have to located your main supply pipe to determine placement. Where is the Main Supply, or Service Pipe, at my house? To locate your service pipe the first thing you need to determine is where your water meter (out by the street) is located. Is it on the garage side or the non garage side of your home? In Jacksonville the water meter is a concrete box with the letters JEA on it. In St Johns/ St Augustine it's usually a plastic meter box with a bright blue lid. Standing out at the meter near the street, look up at your home. The plumber had to connect water to your home from this meter location. Usually, the path of least resistance is used to make this connection. 90% of the time the water enters the home on the same side of the home that the water meter is located. The point that the supply pipe enters your home (POE Point Of Entry) should be marked by a green plastic circle shaped lid. However, sometimes it gets buried under years of landscaping and mulch and sometimes it's not marked at all. Once the POE is located you can now determine where the water softener will be installed.

How to avoid a Salt Bridge in a Water softener System

By Brad Berdon • September 13, 2023
If a water softener system stops using salt you will not get soft water. The most common reason a water softener stops using salt is due to the formation of a "Salt Bridge". A Salt Bridge is a clump of salt that has been fused together due to moisture that's spans entire diameter of the salt tank. This clumped salt resembles concrete and is very hard to break up. Consequently, the salt bridge prevents the salt on top from coming in contact with the water beneath it. That is why we call it a Salt Bridge. How is a Salt Bridge formed? A salt bridge is formed when the dry salt is exposed to moisture. Moisture causes the once granular salt crystal or pellet to merge into one giant clump of salt. By chance if it makes it from one side of the tank to the other side a bridge is formed. Once the bridge of salt is formed the salt level will no longer go down. At this point the salt bridge needs to be broken up. How to remove a salt bridge. I hope you ate your Wheaties because removing a salt bridge can be intense. Once the salt has fused together the consistency resembles concrete. So, breaking it up will take some effort. Method 1. The Rubber Mallet First. Use a rubber mallet and gently tap/hit the side of the salt tank all around it. Next, grab the rim of the salt tank and give it a good shake. Note, the salt tank is hundreds of pounds so shaking it may be difficult for some people. Method 2. The Broom Stick If Method 1 did not work it's time to move onto method 2. Brut force and a firm tool. By using a broom stick, a shovel, or an iron rod, you will attack the salt bridge until you succeed. Start by removing all the loose salt from the salt tank into a bucket or onto a drop cloth. Once you see the bridge start pounding trying to locate a weak area of the bridge. Keep working the weak area until you make it all the way through the bridge. It might be a few inches to a foot thick. Then keep working the salt bridge until the entire bridge breaks up and falls down inside the salt tank. Remember, the greater the obstacle the greater the glory when you overcome it. Method 3. The Water Method If you cannot physically break through the salt bridge then you may have to add water. To do this, use a hose to spray water into one dedicated spot while continuing to work the area with a broom stick. The salt bridge will quickly give way however your salt tank will have a lot of water left in it. Stop spraying water and thoroughly break up the remaining clumps of salt. From here, place the system into regeneration either immediate (right now) or delayed (tonight at 2am). Different models of water softeners will have different configured buttons and programming. You may have to consult your owners manual. Note, adding water is an effective way at breaking up a salt bridge but all the salt gets wet during the process. Wet salt will have the potential to bridge again. If you have to use the water method, break up the salt daily to avoid another salt bridge. How to Avoid a Salt Bridge Preventing a salt bridge in a water softener system in Jacksonville FL is easy. Either before you refill a low/empty salt tank, or if you are filing the tank for the first time simply place two pieces of scrap pipe in the shape of an X. As the salt level lowers it falls around the pipes and avoids bridging. This is our standard practice when installing our water softener systems in Jacksonville FL.

Installing a Water Softener System Part 1

By Brad Berdon • April 30, 2022
The Drain As part of the water softener system regeneration process, it will produce discharge water that needs a place to drain. The water softener will need access to an effective drain that will discharge the water. The most common places to drain the water system discharge to is the washing machine drain, utility sink, […] The post Installing a Water Softener System Part 1 appeared first on Florida Water Technologies.

Installing a Water Softener System Part 2

By Brad Berdon • April 29, 2022
The Water Supply Pipe Installing a water softener system is a great idea especially if you have hard water. Where will the water softener be installed? Will it go in the garage, if so where in the garage, or will it be installed outside on the side of the house. These are common issues we […] The post Installing a Water Softener System Part 2 appeared first on Florida Water Technologies.

What a Water Softener System Does

By Brad Berdon • April 12, 2022
When a homeowner finds they have hard water a water softener system may help. This post answers the question, What Does These Systems actually do. You see, 85% of US homes have some level of hard water. Hard water forms white scale formations that can damage appliances and fixtures. Also, hard water makes cleaning harder […] The post What a Water Softener System Does appeared first on Florida Water Technologies.

Why A Water Softener.

By Brad Berdon • February 3, 2022
When water is hard, it can clog pipes and soap will dissolve in it less easily. Water softening can prevent these negative effects.Hard water causes a higher risk of lime scale deposits in household water systems. Due to this lime scale build-up, pipes are blocked and the efficiency of hot boilers and tanks is reduced. […] The post Why A Water Softener. appeared first on Florida Water Technologies.

3 Types of Water Filtration Systems

By Brad Berdon • November 3, 2021
The three types of water filtration systems are water softener systems,  a whole home filtration system, and drinking water systems. Here are the three water filtration systems that may be a fit for your home or business. Water Softener System Application: Hard water removal system The primary water concern in Jacksonville FL is excessive hard […] The post 3 Types of Water Filtration Systems appeared first on Florida Water Technologies.

Water Softeners and Water Filtration Systems

By Brad Berdon • July 28, 2021
What they are and how they differ. A common question that we get every day is, “what’s the difference between a water softener and a water filtration system?” It’s a great question. Water softeners focuses only on the removal of hard water minerals (Calcium Carbonate CaCo3) to produce soft water. While a water filtration system […] The post Water Softeners and Water Filtration Systems appeared first on Florida Water Technologies.
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