Walk into Home Depot and you will find water softeners from several brands. You can also have a local dealer such as Brita Pro test your water and install a system. Both can give you softer water; the difference is in who chooses the system, who installs it, and who looks after it afterwards.
What each one offers
Home Depot sells water softeners and filters from several brands. You can install one yourself, or book Home Depot’s installation service, which starts with a free in-home water test and a quote.
Brita Pro of Central Florida is a family-owned, local dealer of Brita PRO systems, based in Longwood. We have installed water treatment in Central Florida homes for 40 years, since 1986, across six counties: Orange, Seminole, Lake, Volusia, Brevard and Osceola. We install whole-house filtration, water softeners, reverse osmosis and well water systems, with a microbiological filter option, and we repair all major brands. Every recommendation starts with a free in-home water test by a trained technician.
The main differences
Buying from a store suits homeowners who are comfortable choosing a model, installing it or arranging installation, and keeping up with salt and maintenance themselves. A local dealer tests your water, recommends a system, installs it and services it, so you deal with the same company for the 10 to 15 years the system should last. See water softener installation in Central Florida for how ours works.
How to compare them, whichever you choose
- The water test. You should see the actual numbers for hardness, chlorine or chloramine and iron, in writing.
- The recommendation. It should treat what the test found, and nothing it did not.
- Installation and service. Ask who installs it, who services it, and how often. Most whole-house systems need service every 6 to 12 months.
- How long it lasts. A well-maintained system typically lasts 10 to 15 years. Ask what the warranty covers, in writing.
- Time to decide. You should be able to take the recommendation away and think it over.
- Reviews. Read recent Google and Better Business Bureau reviews, especially about service after the sale.
For the full list, see what to check when choosing a water filtration company.
Where Brita Pro fits
- Family-owned, installing in Central Florida for 40 years
- 4.9 stars from 798 Google reviews (read them); rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau
- Free in-home water test with the numbers shown to you
- Service every 6 to 12 months, and repairs on all major brands
If your water tests fine, we will tell you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install a store-bought softener myself?
Many homeowners do. It needs a connection to the main water line, a drain and a bypass valve. If you are not comfortable with plumbing, use the store’s installation service or a plumber.
Which costs less over time?
It depends on the system, how it is installed and how it is maintained. Compare written quotes that include installation, service and the warranty, not just the price of the unit.
