What it does
Uses softening resin to remove hardness minerals from incoming water. The brine tank holds salt used to restore the resin during regeneration.
For hard-water scale
Whole Home Softener
Salt-based softening for confirmed hard water. Reduce hardness minerals that leave scale on fixtures and plumbing.
Whole-home water treatment.
Less scale. Softer water.Hardware by Crystal Quest
Equipment shown for reference. See the included items below.
- Reduces calcium and magnesium hardness
- Works on its own or with an existing filter
- Salt-based system; plan for salt refills
$1,799.00Equipment only
Installation, shipping and tax are separate.
You choose, hire and pay your plumber.Get an installation quote and confirm the fit before ordering.
For municipal waterWell water needs a separate review
Leak-detection valve includedIncluded in your equipment package
Your plumber. Your choice.Installation is quoted separately
The simple explanation
Hard water. A clear next step.
Choose a softener when mineral buildup is the problem you want to solve. It’s an optional upgrade based on your home’s hardness and your preferences.
Who it’s for
Homes with confirmed hard municipal water that want less scale. A practical option when your existing whole-home filtration is already covered.
Good to know
Its main job is softening. The included prefilter and postfilter do not make it the same package as our SMART Whole Home Filter.
Know what you’re buying
The equipment. Clearly laid out.
Your package covers the listed hardware. Your plumber handles the installation and any parts your home needs.
Included in your package
-
Softener tank + control head
Fiberglass tank with softening resin, plus a brine tank for salt.
-
Sediment + carbon cartridges
Prefilter and postfilter with housings, alongside the softener.
-
Leak-detection shutoff valve
The CQE-PT-03064 valve is part of this Clearhouse package.
Budget for these separately
- Your plumber’s labor and installation quote
- Any extra plumbing parts or site work
- Shipping and applicable tax
- Softener salt and future replacement cartridges or resin
Ask your plumber for a complete installation quote before you order. Every home’s plumbing is different.
Two sizes. One clear next step.
Size for the water you actually use.
Softener size depends on both hardness and water use. More people, harder water or simultaneous showers can change the right fit.
Lower water demand.
A 1.5 cu. ft. resin tank. Start here for moderate use, then have your plumber check your hardness and required flow.
Higher water demand.
A 2.0 cu. ft. resin tank. Consider it for more water use or a higher hardness load, with your plumber’s confirmation.
These are starting guides. Your plumber confirms peak flow, water pressure, incoming hardness, drain access and space. Larger or shared-plumbing homes need an individual review.
From choosing to using
You buy the system. Your plumber installs it.
Clearhouse supplies the equipment. You hire and pay your plumber directly, so the installation is a separate quote.
- 01
Start with your water and home.
Use your utility report and a few home details to narrow the system and size. Confirm hardness if you’re considering a softener.
- 02
Get your plumber’s thumbs-up.
Share the model and get a quote. Your plumber checks the incoming water line, flow, pressure, drain, power and available space.
- 03
Order. Install. Set up.
Once the fit is confirmed and ordering is open, buy your equipment. Your plumber installs it, checks for leaks and explains ongoing care.
Simple upkeep
Maintenance & replacement
Keep the system. Refresh the parts that do the work. Here’s what to plan for.
Replace the two cartridges
Change the sediment prefilter and carbon postfilter. Replace sooner if flow drops or your water conditions require it.
Check the softener salt
Check the brine tank and top up salt as needed. Salt use depends on hardness, water use and the regeneration settings.
Service the softener resin
Crystal Quest estimates about 10–15 years with proper maintenance. Water conditions and performance may require earlier resin replacement.
Automatic backwashing or regeneration does not eliminate cartridge changes or eventual media replacement.
Schedules & manufacturer sources
The whole-house manual recommends 12–18 months for pre- and postfilters. The individual sediment listing estimates 18–24 months for CQE-RC-04015. Follow your system manual and installer’s advice; actual service life depends on water quality and usage.
Follow the shutoff, pressure-release and flushing instructions. Your plumber can handle the change if you prefer.
Keep the choice simple
Three systems. Three clear jobs.
Filtration and softening solve different problems. Choose the job you want done; add softening only if you want it.
For everyday filtration
Whole Home Filter
Everyday filtration. A starting point for chlorine taste, odors and sediment.
Care: cartridges and media. No softener salt.
From $1,999.00
View system
You’re viewing this system
Whole Home Softener
Hardness reduction. For scale control, on its own or with your existing filter.
Care: salt refills, cartridges and resin.
From $1,799.00
Choose your size
For filtration + hard-water scale
Whole Home Filter + Softener
Both jobs together. SMART filtration plus a separate salt-based softener.
Care: cartridges, media, resin and salt refills.
From $2,999.00
View system
Equipment only. Installation, shipping and tax are additional.
A few useful answers
Good questions. Clear answers.
The details that help you feel confident about the next step.
Is this the right system for my home?
Consider this if you have confirmed hard municipal water and want to reduce scale. Test incoming hardness, then have your plumber confirm the capacity, flow and setup. Shared plumbing and private wells need an individual review.
Do I need a water softener?
A softener is optional, even if your report shows hard water. Choose it if scale and water feel matter to you. Confirm hardness at your home before buying or setting the system up.
Is installation included in the price?
No. The displayed price is for equipment. You choose, hire and pay your plumber separately. Shipping, tax and any extra installation parts are also separate.
What ongoing maintenance should I expect?
Yes. Check salt monthly, replace the pre- and postfilter cartridges on the manufacturer’s 12–18-month schedule, and maintain the brine tank and control settings. Resin may eventually need replacement. See Maintenance & replacement above.
Will it remove everything in my water report?
No single system should be assumed to remove every substance listed. Match specific concerns to the exact model’s tested reduction claims. Utility reports describe a water supply over time; they are not a test of your tap.
Where can I see the technical details?
Supplier model: CQE-WH-01123 · Standard
Salt-based whole-home softening for homes with confirmed hard municipal water. A straightforward choice for scale reduction, on its own or alongside an existing whole-home filter.
- Crystal Quest fiberglass softener with resin tank and brine tank.
- Sediment prefilter and carbon postfilter included.
- CQE-PT-03064 leak-detection shutoff valve included in this proposed Clearhouse package.
You hire and pay your own plumber. Installation, shipping and tax are additional.
Standard: model CQE-WH-01123, 1.5 cu. ft., manufacturer-rated 45,000-grain capacity and 9–11 GPM service flow. Large: model CQE-WH-01124, 2.0 cu. ft., manufacturer-rated 60,000-grain capacity and 10–13 GPM service flow. Actual usable capacity depends on regeneration settings; your plumber confirms hardness, demand, pressure, drains and available space.
Salt refills, cartridge changes and regeneration are ongoing maintenance. The base supplier configuration uses timed regeneration; a metered control is an optional supplier upgrade and is not included in this proposed package. Follow the manufacturer’s manual.
Start with your home
Let’s make the choice easy.
A few simple questions help narrow the system and size. Your address is optional, and “I’m not sure” is always an option.