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The Culligan brand is considered one of the top brands in the water softening industry. A veteran in the business, their water softening products have been in use since the 1940’s and still getting steady sales year after year. Are you planning to buy a water softener system from this brand? If so, then we recommend you keep reading this article as we are going to share all the facts you need to know about Culligan before investing in any of their water softener products.

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The establishment of the Culligan brand can be traced back to 1936 when Emmet Culligan started his Culligan Zeolite Company in partnership with his 2 brothers in Northbrook, Illinois. With 50 bucks and a handful of money from his siblings, he was able to invent an effective water softener device after puncturing holes in a coffee can and filling it with greensand. His creation became such a hit that he was able to open 2 franchise stores in Wheaton, Illinois and in Hagerstown, Maryland in just 2 years. And from this point, the business prospered.

In 1945, Emmet ended the partnership with his 2 brothers and became the sole owner and President of the Culligan Zeolite brand. Five years later he was appointed Chairman. From then on, the company became known as Culligan Inc., and they were able to close about 1000 deals. And in the process, satellite offices were opened to cater to customers from 85 different countries.

Although business was going well, the company underwent a lot of administrative changes over the years. First, they were acquired by Beatrice Foods sometime in the 1970’s. Then 16 years later, the company who acquired Culligan was acquired by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts. But it did not stop there because Culligan was then acquired by United States Filter in 1998 and then by Vivendi in 1999 and then followed by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. The last acquisition was made in 2012 when Centerbridge Partners bought Culligan to its previous owners.

TRIVIA: The Culligan brand and their water softener products are most recognizable for the classic “Hey Culligan Man!” slogan which was often featured in their early TV and radio ads. This very slogan was so famous that it was continuously aired for the next 30 years in different variations. Today, a softer rendition of the slogan is often advertised in which a woman is calling out the saying in a loud and friendly tone.

Entrepreneur Magazine named Culligan as the #1 franchise in the softening industry in 2004. This shows how the company has maintained its quality of service even with the various ownership changes in the past.

Without a doubt, Culligan water softeners are some of the most reliable softening systems you can use today because they make use of ion exchange technology which has been proven for many years. As we have discussed in our previous guides, ion exchange is one of the usual ways to soften hard water. This very process is a primary factor in the brand’s longevity.

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One area we should mention is Culligan water softeners are not “casual” DIY-friendly. This is an important consideration before purchasing a water softener. This may be a plus for a hands-off type of guy, but definitely, a minus if you have an interest in tackling the job yourself.

As for the price, we find Culligan to be a high-end water softener since you should expect to pay at least a couple of thousand bucks (and maybe even more for their premier products). And although we read certain reports claiming this brand to be a “cheaper option” to water softening, we cannot say the same knowing that there are inexpensive (and probably, more capable) water softening systems from other brands which can perform similar things as compared to what they are offering to their customers today.

As for the maintenance, a lot of issues are pointed out in this aspect since some of their customers think that their units are slightly complicated to maintain. And for this reason, the operation cost is a bit higher compared to other water softener brands. Therefore, we suggest that you need to study their units further in order to reach a practical choice.

In this section, we are going to feature the different Culligan water softeners you can use to solve your hard water problems. We promise to give our best in providing a complete and detailed description of the products so you can properly weigh your options and determine the kind of system that will truly work to your advantage.

Currently, the Culligan brand has 8 water softener models to choose from. And each of these products includes a complete service plan to ensure the customer a hassle-free operation the moment the device is installed in your place. Do bear in mind that even though salt water softener systems are the company’s bread and butter, they also have a line of water conditioners and a faucet water filter for you to check out:

Culligan High-Efficiency (HE) Water Softener System – Considered the popular choice based on consumer reports, the High-Efficiency model is truly a revolutionary device that sets a trend with the way water is being softened today.

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This Culligan High-Efficiency Water Softener System comes with a unique patented smart technology which allows any user to save on water, salt, and electric power while the device performs 46% better compared to other devices. And here are the other benefits that you can enjoy while having this HE Water Softener Technology:

• Tank size: 1.0-3.0 ft³
• Significantly lessen your water, salt, and electric consumption
• Will actually indicate how long will your softening salt last
• Offers customizable options to adjust the level of hardness in water
• Gives you full on control of soft water that is being supplied in your home
• Sends an automatic report to your Culligan Man so you won’t have to worry about scheduling for another appointment
• Enables your appliances to be more efficient

Aside from these advantages, the Culligan High-Efficiency Water Softener System is also certified by the Consumer Digest (Best Buy Seal) which is a trusted mark in the consumer industry.

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Culligan High Efficiency (HE) Twin Tank And High Efficiency (HE) Progressive Flow Water Conditioner – This device is Culligan’s answer to the rising trend of twin tank systems in the market today. Basically, the Culligan High-Efficiency Twin Tank And High-Efficiency Progressive Flow Water Conditioner is a perfect solution to high-demand and large capacity water softener for homes and commercial establishments.

Here are the features you can enjoy while using the Culligan High-Efficiency Twin Tank And High Efficiency Progressive Flow Water Conditioner:

• Tank size: 1.0-3.0 ft³ (each tank)
• Has a twin tank system that will alternate in the production of soft water (similar to Kinetico water softeners)
• Includes a Dial-a-Softness feature which allows you to configure the softening settings for your own convenience
• Has a smart sensor which respond accordingly if there is a change in the quality of soft water being produced
• Significantly lessen your water, salt, and electric consumption
• Will actually indicate how long will your softening salt last
• Gives you full on control of soft water that is being supplied in your home
• Sends an automatic report to your Culligan Man so you won’t have to worry about scheduling for another appointment
• Enables your appliances to be more efficient
• The device is third-party certified by Consumer Digest so you will be free from worries every time you use it

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Culligan High Efficiency (HE) Municipal Water Conditioner – This device is the brand’s all-in-one system as it is a water softener and a water filter at the same time. The Culligan High Efficiency (HE) Municipal Water Conditioner is best used to bring back the refreshing taste in water plus making your dishes shinier and appliances last longer the more you use it at home.

Here are the benefits you can get after installing the Culligan High Efficiency (HE) Municipal Water Conditioner:

• Tank size: 1.0-3.0 ft³
• Is a water softener and a water filter all rolled into one effective system
• Has the ability to remove chlorine taste and odor in water to bring back that refreshing quality that we’ve always loved
• Will actually indicate how long will your softening salt last
• Offers customizable options to adjust the level of hardness in water
• Gives you full on control of soft water that is being supplied in your home
• Sends an automatic report to your Culligan Man so you won’t have to worry about scheduling for another appointment
• Enables your appliances to be more efficient
• This device is third-party certified by Consumer Digest so you will be free from worries every time you use it

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Culligan Gold Series Water Softener – This model is one of the basic types of water softeners that Culligan can offer to its consumers. In general, the Culligan Gold Series Water Softener is created to give you reliable operation every time you need it without having to worry about the maintenance aspect of the product.

Here are the benefits you can enjoy while using the Culligan Gold Series Water Softener:

• Tank size: 1.0-3.0 ft³
• The tank has a large capacity to provide you enough supply of soft water for your shower, laundry, and other basic needs
• Includes a smart sensor which monitors the performance of the system and effectively minimize your water and energy cost.
• It also has an advance control valve which regulates the pressure of water that is being supplied into your home.
• Enables your appliances to be more efficient
• This device is third-party certified by Consumer Digest so you will be free from worries every time you use it

• Culligan High-Efficiency Water Softener System
• Main Feature: Patented Smart Technology
• Added Benefit(s): Water softener is 46% more efficient compared to other similar devices.
• PRICE: $$$$$

• Culligan High Efficiency Twin Tank And High Efficiency Progressive Flow Water Conditioner
• Main Feature: Twin Tank System
• Added Benefit(s): Smart Sensor, Dial-a-Softness
• PRICE: $$$$$

• Culligan High Efficiency (HE) Municipal Water Conditioner
• Main Feature: Water softener and filter in one
• Added Benefit(s): Removes chlorine taste and smell in water
• PRICE: $$$$$

• Culligan Gold Series Water Softener
• Main Feature: Basic technology with advanced control valves
• Added Benefit(s): Advanced control valves regulate the water pressure that is being supplied into your home.
• PRICE: $$$$$

Culligan Medalist Series Water Softener Solution – This type of water softener is Culligan’s economic solution to hard water issues. The Culligan Medalist Series Water Softener Solution boasts in being an efficient and effortless system that can also provide the state-of-the-art technology which the brand has been known for. You also get a durable product which can withstand any kind of punishment it has to go through while providing soft water for the benefit of the family.

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Here are the other features of the Culligan Medalist Series Water Softener Solution:

• Tank size: 0.75-1.5 ft³
• Significantly lessen your water, salt, and electric consumption
• Will actually indicate how long will your softening salt last
• Offers customizable options to adjust the level of hardness in water
• Gives you full on control of soft water that is being supplied in your home
• Sends an automatic report to your Culligan Man so you won’t have to worry about scheduling for another appointment
• Enables your appliances to be more efficient
• Seamless integration to house plumbing for immediate use
• This device is third-party certified by Consumer Digest so you will be free from worries every time you use it

Basically, you get all the great features of a Culligan water softener at a reasonable price.

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Culligan High Efficiency (HE) 1.25 Water Softener System – This device can also be considered as one of Culligan’s affordable solutions to soften hard water. The Culligan High Efficiency (HE) 1.25 Water Softener System comes with the brand’s patented system which optimizes the use of salt and water while decreasing the consumption of electrical power at the same time. With this product, you can actually save more money as you don’t have to buy shampoos and detergents that often and less detergent to use every time you wash your clothes.

Here are the features of the Culligan High Efficiency (HE) 1.25 Water Softener System:

• Flow Rate: 22 GPM
• 25 control valve allows you to control the pressure of water that is being supplied in your home
• Significantly lessen your water, salt, and electric consumption
• Will actually indicate how long will your softening salt last
• Offers customizable options to adjust the level of hardness in water
• Gives you full on control of soft water that is being supplied in your home
• Sends an automatic report to your Culligan Man so you won’t have to worry about scheduling for another appointment
• Enables your appliances to be more efficient
• Seamless integration to house plumbing for immediate use
• This device is third-party certified by Consumer Digest so you will be free from worries every time you use it

Image Credit: www.culligan.com

Culligan High Efficiency (HE) Water Softener-Cleer Water Conditioner – This type of device provides advanced treatment technology so that everybody can use safe water minus the worries. The Culligan High Efficiency (HE) Water Softener-Cleer Water Conditioner comes with the brand’s patented advanced technology which is designed to eliminate hardness and unpleasant taste while removing all dissolved solids and other bacterial contaminants at the same time.

Here are the benefits you can get from the Culligan High Efficiency (HE) Water Softener-Cleer Water Conditioner:

• Can remove iron and sulfur deposits in water
• Will actually indicate how long will your softening salt last
• Offers customizable options to adjust the level of hardness in water
• Gives you full on control of soft water that is being supplied in your home
• Sends an automatic report to your Culligan Man so you won’t have to worry about scheduling for another appointment
• Enables your appliances to be more efficient
• Seamless integration to house plumbing for immediate use
• This device is third-party certified by Consumer Digest so you will be free from worries every time you use it

NOTE: This product is recommended if ever you have a rotten egg smelling kind of water at home.

Culligan Whole Water Filter And Conditioning System – Basically, this system offers a 2 in 1 solution to remove hardness in water while getting rid of unpleasant substance like chlorine.

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• Culligan Medalist Series Water Softener Solution
• Main Feature: Patented Smart Technology
• Added Benefit(s): Economical unit (?)
• PRICE: $$$$

• The Culligan High Efficiency (HE) 1.25 Water Softener System
• Main Feature: Patented Smart Technology
• Added Benefit(s): Economical unit (?)
• PRICE: $$$$

• Culligan High Efficiency (HE) Water Softener-Cleer Water Conditioner
• Main Feature: Patented Smart Technology
• Added Benefit(s): Custom softening, Soft-Minder meter
• PRICE: $$$$$

• Culligan Whole Water Filter And Conditioning System
• Main Feature: Saltless solution for treating hard water
• Added Benefit(s): 2-in1 solution in battling water hardness
• PRICE: $$$$$

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As mentioned in one of our previous sections, investing in a Culligan water softener is not for everyone as you have to spend a lot of money on purchasing their products. Even so, the company is willing to provide several payment options so you can pay without worries. Aside from that, the company also offers rental packages so you can enjoy their excellent services for a limited time.

According to most reports we have gathered, a lot of complaints are pointed out on the complexity of the device. There’s no denying that Culligan water softeners are some of the most advanced systems you can find out there, but apparently, the same features that are intended to make the product helpful can also cause a lot of problems to their consumers as well.

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Culligan likes to keep all their sales and service exclusive as much as possible, so there’s not a lot of options being given to you if you are a DIY enthusiast.

Some parts are very easy to find online. All you need to do is Google the replacement part(s) you are looking for and you will likely find it in some online retailers which are not tied up to the company. However, you must bear in mind that intricate parts like the control valve heads and the drive motors are only available from them.

For more information, please visit the company’s contact page or give them a call.

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If you have already purchased a Culligan water softener, you can always secure a replacement manual from them by going to the Culligan website. Just select the product manual you wish to get and it will be downloaded into your PC in .pdf format.

The only place where you can purchase a Culligan water softener system is through their official website. But before you do the actual purchase, you need to contact them first so that one of their certified representatives will come and inspect your place.

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Stay tuned for more interesting and informative articles about water softener systems and be sure to check our other articles on our website’s blog.