A Closer Look at Harvey’s Water Softener (Buyer Beware!)
Why Harvey’s Water Softener Might Not Be Worth It
By far the biggest issue with Harvey’s products and services are the poor customer reviews on places like Google, which currently sits at 3.5 out of 5. However, this might be skewd and should be balanced out by looking at the very positive reviews that Harvey’s have on places like Amazon (4.5 out of 5) and Trust Pilot (4.5/5).
Another issue that one has to consider before purchasing is whether they have enough space for this device as well as access to correct pipes and plumbing.
The final issue is that this softener will need a certain level of on-going maintenance even if that means checking and replacing the softener salt that is required to produce soft water.
However, it is important to note that the final to issues come with every softener device and if you really need a water softener in the UK, this article will explain why Harvey’s is ultimately a good choice.
Do You Even Need A Water Softener?
Most parts of the world suffer from hard water and this is a big problem.
Hard water is what causes white flakes at the bottom of your kettle. It’s what creates the white, hard to wash stains around your faucet, sink, bath or water based kitchen appliances.
The most effective way to deal with hard water is to use a water softener. This is a device that uses sodium to convert hard water into soft water.
Benefits of Water Softener:
- No more limescale.
- Better for dry hair and skin because there are no hard minerals in your water.
- It can prolong the life of your appliances.
- Soap and detergent last longer because soap lathers faster and longer with soft water.
- No more water limescale stains on glassware.
There are tons and tons of different water softeners available on the market today, but which is the best? The following sections will review the water softener offerings from a brand called Harvey.
Harvey’s Crown Water Softener Reviews
Harvey Water Softener – Company Profile
Harvey’s is a popular water softener in the UK. The company was founded in 1977 by Harvey Bowden, hence the name of the company. Decades later the company has a range of water related products in the UK and across Europe.
By far their most popular product is Crown by Harvey Water Softener. Although it is at the top end (price-wise), it has a lot of specifications to justify this price.
Water Softener – Crown, by Harveys Review
The most surprising thing about this water softener is how small it is. Especially when compared to the US water softener models. The Crown by Harvey’s is very compact despite coming with two tanks. Exact measurements are 46 x 21.2 x 49 cm and this is pretty small when you consider it can provide enough soft water for the whole home.
The small size makes it light and easy to carry and that it can potentially fit under your kitchen cabinet.
Some people have also found it possible to install it outside or in their garage so that they save space inside the home.
Apart from its small size, the Crown by Harvey has a simple white design. This makes it able to fit into the interior decor of most homes.
Harvey’s water softener manual can be obtained by contacting Harvey’s customer service by emailing enquiries@harvey.co.uk
Features of Harvey’s Crown Water Softener
The Harvey’s Crown water softener has lots of features despite being such a small compact machine.
- The most impressive feature is that it has a twin tank feature so you can access soft water 24-7.
- Uses and requires salt blocks to soften your water. This can be better than traditional and more generic softener salt because you do not have to work with heavier bags and only need to change them from time to time.
- It has an indicator that emits a red line which let’s you know when to replace the salt blocks.
- Possible to install the water softener by yourself but it’s always best to get a professional plumber to avoid problems.
Harvey’s Water Softener Price
The Harvey’s Crown softener is a the high end of water softener prices coming in at around £850-£950.
It’s a lot more expensive when compared to water2buy which starts at around £400. However, the other cheaper models don’t typically have twin tanks so therefore may not be able to supply soft water 24-7.
Also note that Harvey’s Crown does not use electricity. This alone will save on energy costs.
It also works on salt blocks, which tend to be more cost effective than other types of softener salt.
In the end, I think it’s worth the investment because it saves you money in the long run.
Harvey Water Softener vs Kinetico
The biggest difference is that Harvey’s is almost exclusively available in the UK while Kinetico is predominantly available in the US.
They both have popular twin tank models however, the customer reviews are significantly worse with Kinetico. Read: Here is Why Kinetico Might NOT Be WORTH It.
Harvey Water Softener Dimensions
The Crown by Harvey has the approximate dimensions: 490mm x 440mm x 205mm
Features & specifications:
- Non-electric water softening system.
- Uses compact block salt for easy storage and refilling.
- The two-cylinder design guarantees water softening around the clock.
- Thanks to its precise measuring system, no water is wasted.
- Use 250 – 350 g of salt per regeneration.
- Maximum flow: 55 liters per minute.
- Each regeneration consumes 17 liters of water.
- The Water Regulation Advisory Plan (WRAS) has been approved to comply with applicable water regulations.
Harvey M2 Water Softener
Aside from the Crown by Harvey there are other models that are popular. One of them is the Harvey M2 water softener. It is big enough to provide soft water to 1 – 5 people.
Here are some features of the Harvey M2:
Uses block salt.
Block salt makes filling up the softener easy. Harvey’s is one of the few brands that actually produces its own brand of block salt.
The M2 water softener uses an easy-to-handle 4 kg block salt that simply slides into the front of the softener machine device.
Non-electric water softener.
This has to be one of the best selling features of Harvey softeners. The water flow of the network does not require electrical power to function.
Great performance for a small softener unit.
The Harvey water softener surpasses many larger softeners despite only being 49 cm in height.
Double cylinder design for 24 hours performance.
2 resin container tanks means consistent and continuous supply of soft water.
Harvey M2 dimensions: height 490 mm x depth 445 mm x width 206 mm.
Harvey Water Softener Salt
Harvey’s block salt is one of the best selling block softener salt available today. People like block salt because it’s a convenient way to replenish a water softener.
Each block is the size of a brick house. They weigh 4 kg and delivered in packs of two.
This means that you can get 3 packages (6 individual blocks). However, Harvey’s currently uses a variety of packaging options.
Harvey’s block salt is suitable for all water softeners that can use block salt. This includes Monarch, Crown, Harvey’s, Kinetico, Twintec and Minimax.
Made in the UK.
Is Crown by Harvey’s Water Softeners Worth it?
The short answer is yes, Harvey’s Crown is worth it.
The best things about Harvey’s are that it’s non-electric and comes with its own branded form of salt block.
It’s a very small device that is compact enough to fit under your kitchen cabinet.
The twin tank feature means that it can run 24-7. This is because when one tank is recovering the other one continues to work and produce soft water.
The price is slightly higher than other water softeners but worth it due to the benefits it can bring.
Hi, I’m in the UK, but as you’re a water geek I thought I’d see what you think to my query. I might not get an honest answer from my supplier who will want to sell me salt!
This is my machine: https:// eastmidlandswater .com/products/new-water-softener-harveys-crown-non-electric-block-salt-softener-f15-3slt
Hi, I live in an area where the water is hard, but not really hard. I have to put two square columns of salt in my softener and I wondered if I could save money by just putting one in, eg half the standard amount. I figured this might soften the water less, _unless_ it just dissolves faster and softens the water _as much_. If the latter applies, I’ll just get through one column as quickly as currently! If it softens the water a bit less, that’s probably ok as it will still be softer than the water that comes into it. The softener’s regeneration process is a clockwork mechanism depending on how much water has gone through it so the frequency of that shouldn’t change, should it (assuming our water consumption doesn’t change). Is this likely to be a good strategy for buying 50% less salt? It isn’t that cheap but I don’t want to risk damaging the softener by trying to save money on the salt. What do you think? Thanks for reading.
Hi Shaun
Buying 50% less salt just means you will run out of salt much faster.
You can make the salt last longer by using the machine less often / only when absolutely needed.
Stay hydrated,
Luke
Installation was OK but after care poor. If things go slightly wrong they are poor with handling it and would rather you give a bad review than to speak about the problem, and try to come to a compromise or even engage. I have never seen such unprofessionalism. Really shocking. Beginning to doubt whether they are a legitimate company. I have never had to complain about a company in my life.
I have heard good things about water conditioners. No servicing, no salts and last many, many years with no drinking bypass needed to be plumbed in. It sounds too good to be true, but my parents have had one fitted to replace a salt softener they had previously and they say they wish they had done it years ago. I’m looking to do the same in the new year.
How can they be running without SALT as mentioned ?
Talking to a representative from Harvey, he told that crown is the oldest model and not suitable for current plumbing systems or more than 1 bathroom.
Now they are selling Arc
I Have a hv3 and best thing i have done. Only problem is knowing when to re fill as there should be a light or app to warn you. The guys that fitted it were really awsome.Looking into getting latest one.
This water softener is an older and dated model – have you considered reviewing the TwinTec S4?
Hi Jenny
Yes, these articles are constantly being updated so thank you for the suggestion.
Stay hydrated,
Luke