APEC WATER APEC WH-SOFTENER-30-FG Reverse Osmosis System + Water Softener Savings Bundle | Top Tier Alkaline Mineral RO System | Spa Quality Water Softener 30K Grains, Digital Control Valve

Why I chose the APEC bundle

I wanted two things out of one project: scale-free water throughout the house and truly clean, great‑tasting water at the sink. The APEC bundle pairs a 30,000‑grain salt-based softener with an under‑sink reverse osmosis (RO) system that remineralizes for taste. On paper, it hits the sweet spot for a home with 1–3 bathrooms and saves the hassle of mixing and matching components. After installing and living with it, I’m impressed by the performance, the flexibility of the controls, and the overall build quality—though there are a few practical considerations to plan for.

What’s included

• Whole‑home softener rated at 30,000 grains with a digital control valve. You can customize regeneration timing and salt usage, and the system is designed to cut backwash water and salt by roughly a third compared to older, timer‑based units.
• A WQA Gold Seal certified reverse osmosis system (APEC’s ROES‑PH series) with a remineralization filter. RO strips out the usual suspects—chlorine, chloramines, heavy metals, VOCs, and PFAS—then adds back calcium/magnesium to balance taste and alkalinity.

This pairing is smart: the softener removes hardness before the RO, which helps the RO membrane perform better and last longer. The RO, in turn, gives you bottled‑quality water at the tap while the softener protects pipes, fixtures, and appliances.

Installation: what to expect

I split the job into two sessions: a morning for the softener in the garage, and an afternoon for the RO under the kitchen sink. If you’re comfortable with basic plumbing (cutting into copper/PEX, adding a bypass, tying into a drain, and drilling a faucet hole if needed), it’s doable in a day.

• Softener setup: The resin tank and brine tank are straightforward. I plumbed it on a bypass with union connections for easy servicing and ran the drain to a nearby standpipe with a proper air gap. You’ll need a nearby power outlet for the control head. Programming the digital valve takes a few minutes—set your water hardness, number of people, and preferred regeneration time (I do 2 a.m.). The control head makes it easy to lean the system toward salt savings or maximum capacity.
• RO setup: The under‑sink RO uses push‑fit (John Guest style) fittings, which keep things tidy. I installed the faucet in a spare knockout; if you’re drilling granite or quartz, plan on a diamond bit and patience. The drain saddle is quick to install, though if your jurisdiction requires an air‑gap faucet, confirm you have the right one. The tank fits in a standard 36‑inch base cabinet with room to spare.

A few tips from my build:
- Water pressure matters. RO systems like 50 psi or more. If your static pressure is lower or fluctuates, consider a booster pump. With 60–75 psi, the system fills glasses quickly.
- If you want higher flow at the faucet, a 3/8‑inch output upgrade is worth it.
- You can run the RO without the tank if you prefer fresh‑drawn water and don’t mind slower pour speeds; I tested this and it works, but I kept the tank for convenience.

Performance

On the softening side, the difference was immediate. The “squeaky” feel in the shower vanished, soap lathers faster, and I’ve stopped seeing new white spots on fixtures. In the weeks after installation, existing scale in the kettle and on the glass shower door softened up and cleaned off more easily. Laundry needed less detergent to get the same results.

The RO output has been consistently excellent. My incoming total dissolved solids (TDS) varied between roughly 200 and 700 ppm depending on the source and season; the RO brought that down to the teens (often 10–20 ppm). The remineralization filter adds a light, pleasant taste and takes the edge off the typical “flat” RO profile. Coffee and tea taste cleaner and more consistent.

Noise is minimal. The softener valve cycles briefly during regeneration in the middle of the night. The RO makes a faint trickle to the drain during production, but it’s quieter than a dishwasher.

Living with it: maintenance and costs

• RO pre‑filters: Plan on replacing sediment and carbon pre‑filters roughly annually (or based on water quality). The process takes a few minutes with the quick‑change housings.
• RO membrane: A typical 3–5 year life is realistic when fed by softened water. I test TDS monthly to track performance.
• Remineralization cartridge: Expect 6–12 months depending on use and taste preference.
• Softener salt: I refill the brine tank every few weeks. The digital control valve’s efficiency settings noticeably reduce salt use compared to older systems I’ve owned.
• Regeneration: With a 30k‑grain capacity and typical household use, regeneration is infrequent. The control head makes it simple to fine‑tune for either lower salt or higher capacity.

Operating costs are reasonable if you buy filters in multipacks and keep the softener dialed in. The RO’s waste‑to‑product ratio is typical of non‑pumped systems (often around 3:1–4:1). If you’re concerned, a permeate pump or full booster pump system can improve efficiency.

Build quality and design

The components feel robust: solid housings, cleanly molded parts, and sturdy push‑fit connections. The RO faucet has a smooth action with no wobble. The softener valve is easy to program and provides clear diagnostics. I appreciate that the system is designed with serviceability in mind—standard parts, standard fittings, and no proprietary lock‑ins for basics.

What I’d improve

• Space planning: The softener’s brine tank needs floor space, a drain, and power; under the sink, the RO tank competes with storage. Measure before you buy.
• Local code quirks: Some areas require an air‑gap RO faucet and specific discharge methods for brine and RO waste. Check before installation.
• Water pressure sensitivity: The RO performs best at 50+ psi. If your home runs low, budget for a booster pump.
• Initial taste break‑in: As with any carbon‑based system, the first day or two includes some harmless carbon fines and a slight taste. Flush the tank a couple of times and it settles.

These aren’t deal‑breakers, but they are worth planning for.

Who it’s for

• Households with 1–3 bathrooms dealing with moderate to very hard water who want a softer feel, less scale, and protection for plumbing and appliances.
• Anyone who wants bottled‑quality drinking water without recurring delivery costs.
• DIY‑oriented homeowners who are comfortable with basic plumbing or plan to hire a plumber for a half‑day install.

If you have severe iron, manganese, or tannin issues on a well, pre‑treatment may be required for the best results. The RO is for point‑of‑use drinking water—don’t expect RO water at every faucet unless you add a separate distribution setup.

Practical setup tips

• Test your water first (hardness, TDS, iron). Program the softener accordingly.
• Set the softener to regenerate at night and start with a conservative salt setting—you can always adjust.
• If you routinely draw a lot of RO water (cooking, pets, brewing), consider the 3/8‑inch faucet line upgrade.
• Keep a TDS meter under the sink. It’s a cheap, effective way to know when the membrane is aging.
• Use a proper drain air gap for both the softener and RO if required locally.

The bottom line

The APEC bundle delivers on its promise: a reliable, efficient softener for the whole house and a top‑tier RO system for drinking water, in a package that’s thoughtfully designed and not needlessly complicated. The digital control valve on the softener offers real control over salt and water usage, and the RO’s remineralization stage makes the daily drinking experience genuinely enjoyable. Measured performance was strong (low‑teens TDS at the faucet), maintenance is straightforward, and the build quality inspires confidence.

Recommendation: I recommend this system for small to mid‑size households that want a complete solution to hard water and want better‑than‑bottled water at the sink. It’s not the cheapest route if you only need one of the two functions, and you’ll want to plan around water pressure and local code requirements. But as a one‑and‑done upgrade that improves both whole‑home water quality and daily drinking water, it’s a balanced, well‑executed choice.