Whole-home filtration, the flagship system.

This is the system most Chicago homes need, and it's the same one the brand-name guys sell for two to four times the price. It installs off your main water line, so the better water reaches every faucet, shower, and appliance in the house.

What's actually in it

A single tank holds four media layers, with the control valve on top and the brine (salt) tank beside it:

• Premium coconut-shell carbon removes chlorine and chemicals first, protecting the resin and fixing taste and smell.
• Quality softening resin does the ion exchange that softens your water, better for hair, skin, appliances, and your water heater.
• Gravel underbed anchors the system.
• Premium fiberglass tank, one of the best vessels in the industry.

What it costs

About $2,999 installed, taxes included, for a standard city-water home. A comparable system from the brand-name guys runs $5,000 to $12,000. Flexible financing available, no credit check.

How it gets installed

A licensed Illinois plumber connects the system at your main line, usually within the week of your order. Most installs are clean basement or garage jobs. If your home has a tougher setup, we tell you the adjusted price before any work starts, never after.

Maintenance is simple

Keep two to three bags of salt in the brine tank and check it every few months. Salt is about $7 a bag. The softener has no filters to change; it self-cleans during regeneration. The RO filters get swapped about once a year.