Water softener buying checklist
Back to Water Softener Buying Checklist
Print at 100% on US Letter or A4. One row per criterion: record the evidence you actually saw, who is responsible, and the date. Leave a row blank rather than guessing.
| Stage | Criterion | Status | Evidence required | Source or owner | Responsible person | Checked on | Rejection or pause rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| need | primary_hardness_goal | written objective with treated fixtures | owner | pause if goal is undefined | ||||
| water | source_and_service_address | utility/PWS or well identity | owner_or_utility | pause if source is uncertain | ||||
| water | untreated_hardness | value|unit|method|sample point|date | test_or_utility | pause if missing or unrepresentative | ||||
| water | other_relevant_conditions | tests compared with model limits | test_or_lab | pause for unsupported pretreatment | ||||
| demand | softened_daily_use | measured or documented estimate | owner_or_meter | pause if sizing assumption is hidden | ||||
| demand | peak_simultaneous_flow | fixture/flow calculation | designer_or_installer | fail if model cannot meet requirement | ||||
| model | exact_make_trade_name_model | quote|data plate|manual | provider | reject if withheld before contract | ||||
| model | manual_and_performance_sheet | current documents and revision | manufacturer | pause if absent | ||||
| certification | exact_model_listing_and_claim | certifier URL|date|claim codes | certifier | reject conflicting claim; pause if unmatched | ||||
| performance | capacity_and_salt_dose_pair | grains at pounds per regeneration | performance_sheet | pause if capacity has no dose | ||||
| performance | rated_service_flow_pressure_drop | certified or documented values | performance_sheet | fail if below requirement | ||||
| efficiency | salt_and_water_efficiency | comparable units at selected setting | performance_sheet_or_listing | pause if marketing only | ||||
| controls | DIR_reserve_override_settings | manual fields and quoted configuration | manual_and_provider | pause if operating logic is unknown | ||||
| limits | incoming_water_and_site_limits | manual compared with test/site | manual_and_reviewer | fail on unresolved incompatibility | ||||
| installation | complete_scope_matrix | included|excluded|allowance|N/A for each item | provider | pause if standard install is undefined | ||||
| installation | permit_drain_power_continuity | authority/manual/site responsibilities | provider_and_authority | reject unsafe/prohibited design | ||||
| cost | equipment_installed_first_year_totals | dated sourced worksheet | quotes_bills_tariffs | pause if totals are not comparable | ||||
| warranty | component_labor_terms | current warranty and local service route | warrantor_provider | pause if labor/service is unclear | ||||
| maintenance | owner_and_professional_plan | manual-based schedule and consumables | manual_provider | pause if claims conflict with manual | ||||
| contract | substitution_change_payment_terms | written contract and approval rules | provider_owner | reject unilateral substitution | ||||
| acceptance | commissioning_test_plan | settings|leak|drain|hardness|handoff | provider_owner | pause before signing if absent | ||||
| handoff | final_records_complete | model/serial|tests|invoice|manual|warranty | provider_owner | withhold final acceptance on critical gap |