Outside Water Softener Installations
Question: Are your water softeners rated for outside placement? Here in central Florida, almost every installer is placing the units outside of the home buried 1 1/2 to 2 feet next to the city water value. If it is, does that shorten the electronics warranty?
Answer: If you live in a part of the country where it does not freeze (or seldom freezes) then you probably know that sometimes the only place to install a water softener or filter is outside. While most water softeners and filters are able to be installed outside, the combination of sun, wind and rain is not conducive to longevity. I have seen water softeners and backwashing filters buried a couple of feet into the ground and while it may work, it is less than optimal. It's like buying a new lawnmower and storing it outside. Any rational person realizes that it will last much longer if it is stored in a dry place where the elements can do no damage. Ultraviolet light from the sun does damage to the plastic components of a water softener much like it damages the skin. Rain and high humidity is also undesirable for the electronics and mechanical parts. 
If something has value, you should take steps to protect it whenever possible. Since a water softener has electronics and other parts that will deteriorate in the sun and rain, it would be foolish to buy an expensive product and not protect it. We recommend that if you are installing a water softener or other treatment product, that you protect it from the elements as much as possible. We have found that a product like the Suncast Plastic Cabinet above is an excellent way to protect your investment. Many people use paver blocks or pour a concrete base for the cabinet and anchor it to the home. I have also seen homeowners build their own cabinet out of wood and even insulate it and put a small heater inside (or light bulb) in case of freezing. So, in summary, you can install a US Water Systems water softener or filter outside in a climate where it does not freeze, but in light of the above information, why would you?
20 Comments
I have well water that has iron bacteria, the iron content at last testing was 1.5 ppm, with a water hardness of 17 ppm. Do I need a disinfecting iron filter and a water softener to address these issues, what would you suggest?
I would suggest our OXi-Gen Oxidizing Filter that uses hydrogen peroxide. You can use either system:
System 1:
https://www.uswatersystems.com/aquatrol-oxi-gen-economy-iron-and-sulfur-removal-system.html
https://www.uswatersystems.com/us-water-aquatrol-premium-metered-water-softener.html
System 2:
https://www.uswatersystems.com/infusion-backwashing-filter-for-iron-sulfur-and-manganese-removal.html
https://www.uswatersystems.com/fusion-nlt-professional-grade-metered-tannin-water-softener.html
“So, in summary, you can install a US Water Systems water softener or filter outside in a climate where it does not freeze, but in light of the above information, why would you?”
Because some of us have no other choice!
what about a Kinetico system that has no electronics?
Then, that would be a good reason. It’s just less than desirable to install any device outside in the sun, wind and rain… not just a US Water Systems softener or filter, but anything. If you protect it with a cabinet or anything, it will last longer and work better and I think that should be the main takeaway from this.