Modular water softener system

A water softener system comprising:

• a hard water flow pipe through which hard water flows;
• a modular water softener assembly comprising an elongated tube having a first end, a second end, a length extending therebetween, and a predetermined inner volume for storing an amount of water softening particles, said water softener assembly further comprising a first end cap coupled to said tube at said first end having a first port in flow communication with said hard water flow pipe and a second port in flow communication with an outlet pipe through which soft water flows, said water softener assembly supported by said hard water flow pipe and said outlet pipe;
• a water softening capacity of about a 3,000 grain capacity;
• and
• a regeneration tank in flow communication with said water softener assembly, said regeneration tank containing a regenerate for regenerating said water softening particles.

15 A hot-side water softener system comprising:

• a hard water flow pipe through which hard water flows;
• a water heater comprising a tank for holding a quantity of water, a cold water inlet pipe in flow communication with said tank, a hot water outlet pipe extending in communication with said tank, and a burner configured to heat said water held in said tank;
• a modular water softener assembly comprising an elongated tube having a first end, a second end, a length extending therebetween, and a predetermined inner volume for storing an amount of water softening particles, said water softener assembly further comprising a first end cap coupled to said tube at said first end having a first port in flow communication with said hard water flow pipe and a second port through which soft water flows in flow communication with said water heater cold water inlet pipe;
• and
• a regeneration tank in flow communication with said water softener assembly, said regeneration tank containing a regenerate for regenerating said water softening particles.

A hot-side water softener system comprising:

• a hard water flow pipe through which hard water flows;
• a water heater comprising a tank for holding a quantity of water, a cold water inlet pipe in flow communication with said tank, a hot water outlet pipe extending in communication with said tank, and a burner configured to heat said water held in said tank;
• a modular water softener assembly comprising an elongated tube having a first end, a second end, a length extending therebetween, and a predetermined inner volume for storing an amount of water softening particles, said water softener assembly further comprising a first end cap coupled to said tube at said first end having a first port in flow communication with said hard water flow pipe and a second port through which soft water flows in flow communication with said water heater cold water inlet pipe, said water softener assembly is supported by at least one of said hard water flow pipe, said water heater cold water inlet pipe, and said water heater;
• a water softening capacity of about a 3,000 grain capacity;
• and
• a regeneration tank in flow communication with said water softener assembly, said regeneration tank containing a regenerate for regenerating said water softening particles.

A method for installing a modular water softener assembly between and supported by a hard water flow pipe and an outlet pipe, the water softener assembly including an elongated tube having a first end, a second end, a length extending therebetween, and a predetermined inner volume for storing an amount of water softening particles, the water softening assembly further including a first end cap coupled to the tube at the first end having a first port and a second port, said method comprising:

• providing the hard water flow pipe through which hard water flows;
• providing the outlet pipe through which soft water flows;
• coupling the first port to the hard water flow pipe such that the first port is in flow communication with the hard water flow pipe;
• and
• coupling the second port to the outlet pipe such that the second port is in flow communication with the outlet pipe.