The Biggest PROBLEMS With Novo Water Softener (Do NOT Buy!)

Here Are The Biggest Problems With Novo Water Softener

Red CrossAquasana Whole House InfographicIt’s a very small brand so there is not a lot of customer reviews and feedback available online to help decide if it’s worth it.

Red Cross“Novo” sounds way too much like “Nuvo”, which is a more dominant brand that provides a similar range of products. Even search engines get the two confused and try to helpfully move your “Novo” searches to Nuvo products.

“One might be forgiven for confusing the two as this was a mistake I made in the original version of this article.”

Red Cross In fact when you put the “Novo Water Softener” into Amazon search, you’ll get a list of Nuvo products.

Red Cross The final and by far biggest problem is that you can’t buy it online or see prices. It seems the only way to get one is to book a “Novo Certified Plumber.” I’m usually skeptical of this type of business practice as it can lead to up-selling or overcharging.

Who Is The Novo Water Softener Good For?

Novo is a brand that provides a wide range of water treatment products that include filters, reverse osmosis systems and water softeners.

Inside A Water SoftenerOne of their most popular softener products is the Novosoft 485HE Series Water Softener.

It is sold as a high efficiency softener that can save you up to 25% of salt and 36% water when compared to regular softeners.

It’s key features and benefits are:

Green Plus Arrow Unlike the Nuvo H20, this will actually provide you with soft water because it uses salt. Salt based softeners are the only guaranteed way to treat hard water while “salt-free” systems only “condition” the water to reduce hard water effects.

Green Plus ArrowProvides soft water even during periods of high water usage through its “Soft Water Recharge Mode”.

Green Plus ArrowAutomatic system stagnant water flush after 7 days.

Green Plus ArrowExact brining, which only makes use of the precise amount of salt that it needs.

Green Plus ArrowComes with NSF, IAPMO R & T and ANSI 44 certifications. These are external awards that certify things like safety, quality materials and structural integrity.

On paper the system seems to have a lot of great features especially for those who want to save on salt and water costs.

Do You Even Need A Water Softener?

Hard water is what causes the white, ugly, hard to wash off limescale stains in your kitchen and bathroom.

Water is made “hard” because of dissolved minerals calcium and magnesium and is measured as grains per gallon (gpg). Standard SoftenerThe list below helps you understand how to measure hard water:

  • Soft water: 0.6 to 3.6 gpg
  • Moderate to hard water: 3.6 to 7.0 gpg
  • Hard water: 7.0 to 10.5 gpg
  • Very hard water: 10.5 gpg

Hard water becomes extremely problematic when you combine it with heat or soap.

Heat plus hard water causes the formation of limescale stones. This limescale then accumulates in your water pipes, water appliances, heaters and other accessories.

Soap reacts with hard water to create less lather, which makes cleaning more difficult. This also results in dull colors in your clothes as well as your hair and skin.

Hard Water Facts:

  • Shower heads with hard water can lose about 75% of flow in less than 18 months.
  • Optimh20 Whol House FilterWater heaters can fail after only 1.6 years with hard water. With soft water, however, they tend to maintain the original factory rating.
  • The operating costs can also be 34% less.
  • Gas water heaters are up to 24% cheaper when they use soft water.
  • You can use 50% less soap and detergent with soft water. Hard water makes soap work harder.
  • Electric water heaters can collect up to 30 pounds of white limescale rock from hard water. This also shortens the life of the heating element.

Nuvo H2O vs Novo Water Softener?

It can sometimes be confusing because “Novo” sounds a lot like “Nuvo” but they are different brands.

Another source of confusion is that both of them provide water treatment systems.

However, one is well known for providing salt free systems (Nuvo H20) and the other is a salt based ion exchange softener i.e. the Novo Novosoft 485HE Water Softener.

Nuvo H2O

The biggest selling point of the Nuvo water softener is that it does not use salt.

Image of Nuvo Salt FreeThis is why it should technically be called a “water conditioning system” rather than a water softener.

You technically can’t get soft water without using salt. However, conditioning makes it less likely for hard water to stick around in your pipes.

Using a salt free water conditioner is good for people that are watching the amount of salt they get in their diet (although you should NOT really be drinking soft water). It’s also good for people that are ethically opposed to using and regularly buying softener salt.

However, the biggest advantage of the Nuvo water softener is its compact size which makes it suitable for people that don’t have a lot of space.

The compact Nuvo water system uses an ecological process to condition the water throughout your home.

Nuvo H2O Home System Review

The NuvoH2O claims to provide you with soft water through its FDA-approved chelation technology used in luxury hotels and restaurants around the world. The result is water that is less hard for all the uses of your home, including bathing, washing and watering the lawn and garden.

Main advantages:

Green Plus ArrowEasy to replace the patented cartridge in 60 seconds and it will last for approximately 6 months.

Green Plus ArrowNuvo DPMB Manor Salt Water Softener SystemYou will not need to buy or use softener salt, unlike traditional water softeners.

Green Plus ArrowUsing no softener salt means it is healthier for you, your family as well as the environment.

Green Plus ArrowCheaper water and electricity bills.

Green Plus ArrowThe NuvoH2O system consumes up to 4 times less water than others and does not require power.

Green Plus ArrowEasy to find and the access nuvo water softener manual online.

Green Plus ArrowVery little nuvo water softener maintenance needed.

Biggest Problem?

Red CrossIt can not technically claim to provide you with soft water because you can only get soft water by using salt.

Nuvo Water Softener Tech Support

Like most water softener companies Nuvo water has a robust customer support facility. If you have problems with your Nuvo water softener you can call their customer service toll free on 877-688-6426. The correspondence address is:

Freeport Industrial Parkway
Building Z-13, Unit 15
Clearfield, Utah 84015, US

Nuvo vs Novo

Mr Water Geek ThinkingNovo is a smaller water softener brand. However, they seem to have a lot of good products with external certifications.

On paper these products are ideal for anyone that wants to reduce the cost of their salt and water bills.mrwatergeek winner badge

Novo water softeners target people that are looking for high efficiency products.

This means that if you have very hard water and ridiculusly expensive utlity bills then the Novo might be a good option.Aquasana Whole House Features List

When to opt for a Nuvo H20 Salt Free / Water Conditioning System:

  • You don’t want to use softener salt – ever.
  • Space is an issue and you need a compact water treatment system.
  • Your preference is for a system that is more environmentally friendly.
  • The hard water issue you face is NOT severe.
  • You don’t need it for a large family home or a commercial premise.Check the Price Now

Green Plus ArrowBetter salt free alternative to the Nuvo H20: Aquasana Salt Free Softener + Filter

Dashed Line

Whole House Softener Filter Combo

When to consider a Novosoft 485HE Salt – Based / Water Softener:

  • If your primary concern is to both treat very hard water and save on water/salt expenses.
  • You want a plumber to inspect your property beforehand to tell you if the system is suitable for your home.
  • Are prepared to not receive a price up-front but wait till after inspection.
  • Live in the US or Canada.

Green Plus ArrowBetter salt-based alternative to the Novo Water Softener Like Novosoft 485HE: Pelican Softener + Whole House Filter

Check the Price Now

Aquasana Whole House FilterPelican Softener with Filters
Treats hard water UP TO 25 ppm (low to medium low hard water).Treats hard water OVER 25 ppm (medium to extremely hard water).
Does NOT require electricity.Requires electricity if using the electronic head monitor.
Control Your System With An App:? NOControl Your System With An App:? YES
- Powerful salt-FREE water softener.
- 1,000,000 one million gallon capacity.
- Aquasana Rhino exceeds NSF standards.
- Treats hard water WITHOUT salt.
- Removes chlorine, bacteria, iron, sulfide, manganese, mercury, lead etc.
- Includes pre-filter, copper-zinc and carbon filtration stages with standard fittings.
- 90-Day Pure Satisfaction Guarantee.
- Limited 10 year warranty.
mrwatergeek winner badge
- Powerful salt-BASED water softener.
- 1,000,000 one million gallon capacity.
- Also includes a multi-stage filter.
- Easy installation (inside or outside)
- Sufficient for 1-3 bathrooms (options for 4-6 and 7+ bathrooms also available).
- 6 month money back guarantee.
- Limited lifetime warranty.
$$$
Ships to US and CA.
$$$
Ships to US, CA and Puerto Rico.
Sale prices automatically applied by clicking this link.
If there is *no* sale try coupon code:
AQGEEK50
Coupon Code:
GEEK5
Coupon Offer Coupon Offer
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16 Comments

  1. Hi, I’m doing renovation now and I’m looking to install a water softener, I’m looking for the Novo brand “NOVO”, is that fine or do you prefer any other brand?

    Thanks

    1. Hi John,
      Yea, I’m not recommending NOVO for the reasons listed above. I like Springwell (recently bought by Moen’s owners) and Aquasana brands – Springwell has great salt-based softener options that are affordable. Feel free to search for either brand name on my site to read more.

      Hope that helps.

      Thanks,
      Mr Water Geek

  2. I didn’t want to install a new softener myself. Not many choices for local companies. Only one has any interest in doing the job with a maintenance membership to get the best pricing. They are better than an hour from us too. Do you have an connections in central MN?

  3. Hi Luke,

    Do you have the current price of a Novosoft 489HE? The installer says it’s actually a NOVO489HE-150,UF with 1.5 cube tank.

    Thank you

  4. Hi Luke,
    I am looking for a whole-house water conditioning system. I just saw an in-home presentation for the Nova
    GI. It is quite expensive. When I tried to research it, I found your site comparing the NOVO AND NUVO. How does the NOVA system compare?

  5. I failed to mention that we had a novosoft 485HE installed and received an invoice for $2000(CDN)

    1. Hi Eugene

      A quick search of the Novosoft 485HE threw up a price of CAD $1,335.00 – I don’t know if it’s possible to get it cheaper.

      Stay hydrated,
      Luke

  6. Thank you, Luke. I don’t like the taste of the water. I’m considering a reverse osmosis system for under the sink and refrigerator. Do you think that’s a good or bad idea?

    1. Hi Pat

      Reverse osmosis is a great option for filtering water to improve the taste and can easily be installed under the sink.

      Unless there is something especially different in your situation, I can’t think of any reasons why this would be a bad idea.

      Stay hydrated,
      Luke

  7. We just bought a Novo water softener and their additional charcoal filter. We paid over $9,000. Did we get ripped off?

    1. Hi Pat
      I have to admit, $9,000 is at the top end of prices of water softeners even when they include a filter.
      But it’s all good if you have already bought, installed and happy with how it works.
      Stay hydrated,
      Luke

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