The Biggest PROBLEMS With Novo Water Softener (Do NOT Buy!)
Here Are The Biggest Problems With Novo Water Softener
It’s a very small brand so there aren’t a lot of customer reviews or feedback available online to help decide if it’s worth it.
“Novo” sounds way too much like “Nuvo.” Nuvo is a better known brand that provides a similar range of products. Even search engines get the two confused.
“One might be forgiven for confusing the two as this was a mistake I made in the original version of this article.”
When you search for “Novo Water Softener” on Amazon, you’ll get a list of Nuvo products.
The final and by far biggest problem is that you can’t buy Novo water softener online. You can’t even 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, water conditioners, and water softeners.
One of their most popular softener products is the Novosoft 485HE Series Water Softener.
It is sold as a high efficiency dual pass softener that uses up to 75% less salt and 64% less water.
It’s key features and benefits are:
Unlike the Nuvo H20, the Novo high-efficiency softener will actually provide you with soft water because it uses salt. Using a salt based softener is the only guaranteed way to treat hard water, while “salt-free” systems only “condition” the water to reduce hard water effects.
Novo’s 485 HEDP offers consistent softer water even during periods of high water usage through its “Soft Water Recharge Mode”.
With Smart Clean Mode, Iif no water is used for 7 days, the system will perform an “automatic refresh” which means it flushes stagnant water to prevent bacteria growth.
Additional features include up-flow regeneration and precision brining to reduce annual salt usage by pre-making only 70% of the brine.
System certification: IAPMO R & T Certified against NSF/ANSI 44 and CSA B483.1 (Plus Fibreglass Pressure Tank and Control Valve Certifications: NSF/ANSI 44 certified for materials and structural integrity and Resin Certification: IAPMO R & T against NSF/ANSI 61 for material safety only.
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-remove 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). The 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. The limescale then accumulates resulting in pipes become clogged, fixtures stained, and laundry discolored.
Additionally, soap reacts with hard water to create less lather, which makes cleaning more difficult. This can also affect your hair and skin.
Hard Water Facts:
- Shower heads with hard water can lose about 75% of flow in less than 18 months.
- Water 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 remember 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.
This 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:
Easy to replace the patented cartridge in 60 seconds and it will last for approximately 6 months.
You will not need to buy or use softener salt, unlike traditional water softeners.
Using no softener salt means it is healthier for you, your family as well as the environment.
Cheaper water and electricity bills.
The NuvoH2O system consumes up to 4 times less water than others and does not require power.
Easy to find and the access nuvo water softener manual online.
Very little nuvo water softener maintenance needed.
Biggest Problem?
It technically cannot 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
Novo 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.
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.
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.
Better salt free alternative to the Nuvo H20: Aquasana Salt Free Softener + Filter
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.
Better salt-based alternative to the Novo Water Softener Like Novosoft 485HE: Pelican Softener + Whole House Filter
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:? NO | Control 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. | - 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 |
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
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
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?
Hi Al
Perhaps try contacting the manufacturer of your new water softener? They usually have a list of approved plumbers.
Stay hydrated,
Luke
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
Hi Tom
No, unfortunately Novo Water don’t provide prices upfront and prefer that you speak to a sales person first.
Stay hydrated,
Luke
I install novosoft systems quit a lot.
Single tank complete for around $2800.
HTO twin tank system around $3400.
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?
I failed to mention that we had a novosoft 485HE installed and received an invoice for $2000(CDN)
Oh I see, I guess they charged you more for delivery, installation etc.
Hope the machine was well installed and performing well for you.
We are in Canada. What is the cost of the Novosoft 485HE?
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
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?
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
We just bought a Novo water softener and their additional charcoal filter. We paid over $9,000. Did we get ripped off?
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