SoftPro Water Softener Systems: Built for Durability

Hard water sneaks up on you. It starts with cloudy glasses and spotty dishes. Then your shower doors etch over with stubborn scale. Your skin dries out, your hair loses its shine, and your water heater works harder to push through mineral buildup. Most folks don’t realize that 10–30 grains per gallon (GPG) hardness can cost them hundreds a year in wasted energy, appliance repairs, and extra detergents. The numbers aren’t abstract: a mere 1/16-inch of limescale can add 12% to your water heating costs, and dishwashers running on hard water can fail years earlier than they should. If you’ve watched a “high-efficiency” appliance lose performance fast, hard water is usually the villain.

Meet the Tanners of Cedar Park, Texas—a blended, busy family of five. Jason (38, firefighter) and Marissa (36, dental hygienist) knew Austin-area water was hard, but they didn’t appreciate how hard until their second water heater in six years stalled out with sediment and scale. Their municipal supply tested at 18 GPG hardness. Laundry felt scratchy, shower tile never looked clean, and they were refilling a salt-hungry, big‑box store softener every other week—still ending up with spots on glassware and that telltale film on skin. They considered a dealer-installed unit from Culligan, but balked at the locked-in service contracts and “call us for pricing” model. After a consult with my son Jeremy Phillips—who reviewed their water report and their family’s usage—they chose the SoftPro Elite with a 48,000 grain capacity. Heather Phillips’ step-by-step DIY guide made install straightforward. Within 48 hours, the heavy film on faucets stopped building, soap lathered better, and their new high-efficiency gas heater ran quieter. That’s what durable, efficient softening looks like in the real world.

In this listicle, I’ll show you exactly how SoftPro’s lineup—the entry-level SoftPro ECO, the flagship SoftPro Elite, and our Smart Home+ package—solves hard water at its root and protects your home for decades. We’ll cover the features that matter, the engineering behind our efficiencies, and how our family stands behind you for life. You’ll see where filter pairings make sense for city and well water customers, and you’ll understand the cost savings that add up every year.

Below are ten core reasons SoftPro water softener systems are built for durability—and why they’re worth every single penny.

1. SoftPro Elite Upflow Regeneration - 75% Salt Savings and 64% Water Reduction for Cost-Conscious Homeowners

If you’ve ever owned a traditional softener, you know the drill: it regenerates on a schedule, pulling brine down through the resin bed—downflow style—using more salt and water than you need. The SoftPro Elite flips that script with upflow regeneration, reversing the direction of brine flow so it sweeps hardness off the resin beads more efficiently. The result? Up to 75% salt savings and 64% less water waste compared to older downflow systems.

Here’s what that looks like in day-to-day operation:

• Demand-initiated metered control: the Elite regenerates only when you use capacity, not on a timer. No guessing, no waste.
• Optimized brining: the upflow rinse recharges resin evenly, preventing channeling and extending resin lifespan.
• Salt dose tuning: the valve’s smart controller allows precise salt per regen—no “just dump more salt” mentality.

For the Tanners at 18 GPG and five people, their Elite 48K uses around 4–6 lbs of salt per regeneration with efficient settings. Before, they were burning 12+ lbs on a timer-based big‑box unit and still running short. With the Elite, they shaved monthly salt use by more than half and cut regeneration frequency down to when it’s needed.

As a designer and installer since 1990, I’ve tested upflow performance in the field for decades. The physics are simple: brine introduced from the bottom of the resin bed lifts and purges hardness more uniformly, restoring capacity with less salt. The less brine you need, the less rinse water you push to drain. That’s real, measurable savings that don’t degrade your water quality. It’s why the Elite remains our best-selling, high-efficiency workhorse.

Subheads

• Upflow Efficiency Explained
• Metered Control Beats Timers
• Salt Dose Dialed to Your Usage

2. Emergency 15-Minute Quick Regeneration - How SoftPro Prevents Running Out of Soft Water During Peak Usage

Every household has “crunch time.” For the Tanners, it was post-baseball doubleheaders and back-to-back showers. Traditional systems either over-allocate reserve capacity (wasting salt) or run dry, sending hard water through the house until the next scheduled regeneration. The SoftPro Elite solves this with two safeguards: a tight 15% reserve capacity and an emergency 15-minute quick regeneration.

That emergency regen is like calling a timeout. If you hit capacity unexpectedly—say, guests are over and laundry’s stacked—the Elite can perform a rapid recharge to restore soft water fast. No waiting until 2 a.m., no wreaking havoc on your fixtures. Because our reserve is lean (15% instead of the 30%+ many brands use), you get more usable capacity day-to-day, yet the system still protects you from running out when demand spikes.

Behind the scenes, the Elite’s valve stores its settings with a self-charging capacitor—backing you up for 48 hours during power blips. And the metered logic ensures every regeneration is based on real usage, not a timer guess. That combination—tight reserve, emergency regen, metered control—keeps soft water flowing when you need it most while maintaining industry-leading salt efficiency.

Subheads

• Why 15% Reserve Beats 30%+
• Quick Regen for Real Life
• 48-Hour Backup Memory

3. SoftPro ECO Value - Professional-Grade Performance at Budget-Friendly Prices for First-Time Softener Buyers

Not every home needs the premium features of the Elite. If you’re a first-time buyer on city water and want reliable, efficient softening on a tight budget, the SoftPro ECO is your gateway to professional-grade performance. The ECO delivers about 10% better salt efficiency than traditional downflow designs while maintaining durable construction and straightforward controls.

What you get with the ECO:

• 8% crosslink resin designed for 15–20 years of service life under normal conditions.
• Demand-initiated regeneration—still metered, so you only regenerate when needed.
• Pre-installed bypass valve and quick-connect fittings for DIY-friendly installation.
• Lifetime warranty on tanks and valve—because value shouldn’t compromise longevity.

We often recommend the ECO to couples or small families on municipal supplies with hardness in the 8–20 GPG range who want dependable soft water without a premium price tag. It shares the same core SoftPro DNA: practical engineering, quality components, and direct support from my family. If your water usage grows or your needs change, you can step up to the Elite later; the ECO won’t paint you into a corner. And if you need help sizing, Jeremy Phillips will review your water report and guide you to the smallest system that still covers peak demand. That’s how we protect your budget without sacrificing results.

Subheads

• Metered Value Without Frills
• Built for DIY Success
• Lifetime Warranty at Entry-Level Pricing

4. 15% Reserve Capacity - Why SoftPro Elite Needs Less Reserve Than Culligan’s 30%+ Requirements

Reserve capacity is a balancing act. Set it too high and you waste salt; set it too low and you risk running hard. Many dealer brands—Culligan included—default to generous reserves, often north of 30%, to limit callbacks. While that cushions unpredictability, it burns through salt and water every month. The SoftPro Elite operates efficiently with a 15% reserve, thanks to smarter metering and that types of whole house water filters emergency quick regen safety net.

Let’s translate that to real numbers. On a 48,000 grain Elite, 15% reserve is 7,200 grains held back for peak demands, leaving 40,800 grains of working capacity per cycle. On a comparable unit with a 30% reserve, you’d cap usable capacity at 33,600 grains—chewing through more regenerations and more salt. Over a year, that difference is hundreds of pounds of salt and thousands of gallons to drain—money down the line.

After Jeremy sized the Tanners’ Elite, we tuned their salt dose and reserve to match real usage patterns—morning showers, evening laundry, weekend surges. Because the Elite’s controller learns from actual demand, we can keep the reserve lean without risking a hard-water episode. It’s a smarter way to engineer reliability without taxing your wallet or the environment.

Subheads

• The Cost of Over-Reserving
• Elite’s Learning Meter Logic
• Real-World Sizing Wins

5. 15 GPM Flow and Family-Ready Sizing - Smooth Showers Even with Multiple Fixtures Running

A softener that starves your home of flow isn’t doing its job. The SoftPro Elite maintains up to 15 GPM service flow, which covers most single-family homes with multiple bathrooms running simultaneously. For the Tanners—two full baths, a laundry, and a kitchen with a high-flow sprayer—showers stayed strong even with the dishwasher and laundry humming.

Choosing the right grain capacity and flow path matters:

• 32K to 110K grain capacities accommodate everything from condos to large homes.
• Proper resin bed sizing reduces pressure drop and ensures consistent exchange through the full bed depth.
• The Elite’s upflow regeneration helps keep the resin bed “fluffed” and less prone to channeling, which preserves steady flow.

When Jeremy consults with families, he weighs your fixture count, peak flow needs, hardness level, and iron if present. This is where decades of field experience count; oversizing adds needless cost while undersizing bottlenecks your home. With the Elite, you get a professional-grade valve, robust internal ports, and a resin bed designed to support real-life flow rates—not just lab specs.

Subheads

• Why Flow Matters More Than You Think
• Sizing the Resin Bed Right
• Real Peak-Demand Examples

6. Lifetime Warranty Coverage - Tanks and Valves Protected Forever with Transferable Family-Backed Guarantee

Durability isn’t a slogan here; it’s a promise my family stands behind. Every SoftPro ECO and Elite carries a lifetime warranty on the mineral tank and control valve. We’re also NSF 372 certified for lead-free components, and every unit uses 8% crosslink resin engineered for 15–20 years under normal conditions.

What makes a warranty meaningful is who stands behind it. Quality Water Treatment (QWT) has been our family business since 1990. When my daughter Heather Phillips writes a DIY guide, she’s doing it because we want you to succeed on your first install. When my son Jeremy walks a customer through a water report, it’s because choosing well upfront saves headaches later. If you call in, you’ll talk to a Phillips—no dealer maze, no “service contract required.”

That family-backed support is why we can confidently say our systems are built for the long run. Properly sized and maintained, you’ll protect your water heater, dishwasher, and washing machine for years—with fewer repairs, better performance, and less energy waste. That’s durability you can measure.

Subheads

• Lifetime Means Lifetime
• NSF 372 and Why It Matters
• Family Support, Not Dealer Hurdles

7. $1,200 Annual Savings - Reducing Salt, Water, Soap, and Energy Costs with High-Efficiency Upflow Technology

Let’s talk dollars. Hard water costs stack up fast:

• Extra detergents and soaps to fight mineral interference
• Higher energy use from scale-coated heating elements
• Premature appliance wear and service calls
• Excess salt and water flushed down the drain by inefficient regenerations

Households moving from traditional downflow softeners—or from no softener at all—to a SoftPro Elite typically see annual savings up to $1,200 when you tally reduced salt, lower water waste, less detergent, and improved energy efficiency. For the Tanners, fewer regenerations meant 50–60% less salt, and soft water cut their soap and shampoo use nearly in half. Their gas water heater runs cleaner, and they no longer replace etched glassware or battle crusted faucets.

Meanwhile, your day-to-day life gets better: softer skin, shinier hair, brighter laundry, and spotless dishes. That’s quality-of-life improvement with measurable ROI. When people hear “lifetime warranty,” they think long haul; when they see the yearly savings, they realize the Elite begins paying for itself almost immediately. That’s the SoftPro difference—performance backed by math, not marketing fluff.

Subheads

• Where the Savings Come From
• Upflow’s Compounding Benefits
• From Bathroom to Utility Room ROI

8. Appliance Protection Value - Extending Water Heater, Dishwasher, and Washing Machine Lifespan by 2–5X

Scale is a silent killer of appliances. Calcium and magnesium don’t just leave spots; they cling to heating elements and coat internal surfaces. Water heaters lose efficiency, dishwashers clatter and clog, washing machines run rough. The U.S. Department of Energy has documented how scale drastically reduces heat transfer efficiency. Soft water reverses that trajectory.

With a SoftPro ECO or Elite:

• Water heaters stay cleaner, requiring fewer flushes and maintaining factory efficiency longer.
• Dishwashers stop leaving film—no more acid rinses or vinegar “fixes.”
• Washing machines use less detergent, rinse cleaner, and operate with less mechanical stress.

When you factor in the extended lifespan—often two to five times longer for water-contact components—the true value of a durable softener comes into focus. For the Tanners, they expect their new high-efficiency water heater to last significantly longer than the previous two, simply because the Elite keeps scale out of the equation. Protecting the heart of your home’s plumbing isn’t glamorous, but it’s the smartest money you can spend.

Subheads

• Scale vs. Heat: The Hidden Expense
• Real Appliance Lifespan Gains
• Why Soft Water Pays You Back

9. Complete City Water Solutions - Pairing SoftPro Elite Softeners with Fluoride and Carbon Filters

Hardness isn’t the only concern on city water. Municipalities commonly use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection, and many add fluoride. While the SoftPro Elite conquers hardness, many customers want broad-spectrum chemical reduction at the same time.

That’s why the SoftPro Elite is commonly purchased with the Whole House Fluoride & Carbon Filter for city water customers who want a comprehensive treatment approach. The combination delivers:

• Soft water throughout the home
• Significant reduction of fluoride (94–97% depending on conditions)
• Chlorine and chloramine reduction for better taste and less skin irritation
• VOC reduction and improved overall water aesthetics

Bundle and save when you purchase together. The integrated setup shares a bypass manifold, maintains excellent flow, and streamlines maintenance. In the Tanners’ case, Marissa noticed the difference in her skin almost immediately with chlorine levels reduced; as a dental hygienist, she was also informed about fluoride and appreciated the ability to control what enters her home. Installation is straightforward with Heather Phillips’ integrated system guide, and Jeremy ensures the correct sequencing—typically carbon/fluoride filter first, then the Elite softener.

For urban and suburban homes, this pairing provides a complete foundation: protect your plumbing with soft water and improve what you taste, smell, and feel day-to-day.

Subheads

• Why Soften PLUS Filter on City Water
• Sequencing for Best Results
• Family-Friendly Maintenance

10. Complete Well Water Solutions - Combining SoftPro Elite Softeners with Iron Filtration

Well water is its own world. Many wells carry both hardness and iron—sometimes 1–3 ppm, sometimes 10+ ppm. A softener alone isn’t the right tool for heavy iron; it will foul resin and complicate maintenance. Proper treatment means iron removal first, softening second.

The SoftPro Elite softener is commonly sold with the AIO Iron Master filter for well water customers dealing with hard water and iron contamination. The AIO (air injection oxidation) approach oxidizes dissolved ferrous iron to ferric iron, which is then trapped in the media bed—no chemicals required. Followed by the Elite, you get:

• Chemical-free iron reduction at the source
• High-efficiency softening with upflow regeneration
• Reduced staining, no metallic taste, and long resin life

Bundle and save when you purchase together. The well water package protects fixtures, eliminates orange stains in showers and on sinks, and delivers soft, iron-free water throughout your home. For wells carrying moderate iron and hydrogen sulfide, well water owners often combine the SoftPro Elite with the KDF Filter for additional iron and H2S reduction alongside softening. Jeremy will look at your lab report—iron, manganese, sulfur, pH—and size the iron filter media and softener correctly. Heather’s installation steps clarify sequencing: iron filter first, then the softener, with a shared bypass for service.

If you’ve been living with rust stains and a “penny” taste, this integrated solution will feel like turning a page. Your water should serve your home, not stain it.

Subheads

• Iron First, Softening Second
• AIO Iron Master Advantages
• Sizing and Sequencing for Wells

11. Smart Home+ Reliability - Mechanical Excellence Without Unnecessary Dependencies

Our Smart Home+ package starts with the SoftPro Elite’s proven mechanical foundation. I’ve seen too many “smart” systems hinge on spotty Wi‑Fi or app subscriptions. Where EcoWater and others lean heavily into app-dependence, we build around robust, field-proven mechanics first—because softened water shouldn’t rely on your router. With Smart Home+, you can add sensible monitoring without sacrificing the Elite’s core reliability:

• Durable digital control valve with self-charging capacitor—keeps settings during outages
• Metered logic and upflow regeneration doing the heavy lifting
• Optional flow monitoring or alerts for those who want it, but never required for operation

For customers who prefer a “set and forget” system, Smart Home+ keeps the brain on the valve and the smarts in your hands. As someone who’s repaired thousands of softeners over 30+ years, I can tell you: the fewer dependencies, the more durable your system. Start with excellent mechanics; add only the tech that genuinely helps you.

Subheads

• The Reliability-First Philosophy
• Keep Soft Water Off the Wi‑Fi Leash
• Alerts That Add Value, Not Friction

12. Professional-Grade vs. Consumer-Grade - Why SoftPro Outlasts Big-Box Units

I’ve opened more failed softeners than I can count. Consumer-grade systems from big-box brands like Whirlpool and GE often cut corners in valve design, resin quality, and warranty coverage. They may look fine on day one, but two to five years in, the cracks appear—sticking pistons, leaky seals, channeling resin beds, and minimal support.

SoftPro ECO and Elite use professional-grade valves, robust seals, and 8% crosslink resin rated for 15–20 years under typical conditions. You get a lifetime tank and valve warranty and direct access to our family support. Heather’s DIY guides demystify installation; Jeremy sizes the right grain capacity; I design systems that are serviceable for the long haul. We build with the next decade in mind, not just the next invoice.

The Tanners lived the difference. Their big‑box softener regenerated on a timer, burned salt, and still let hardness through during peak demand. The Elite’s upflow, metered logic, and emergency quick regen kept them in soft water while slashing salt use. You can’t ask a “budget” appliance to do a professional’s job. When your plumbing and appliances are on the line, choose durability over disposability—choose SoftPro.

Subheads

• The Hidden Cost of Consumer-Grade
• Resin Quality and Valve Design
• Real-World Longevity

Competitor Comparisons: Where SoftPro Pulls Ahead

Comparison 1: SoftPro Elite vs. Culligan and Kinetico – Ownership, Efficiency, and Freedom From Contracts

Culligan and Kinetico are household names, and they do install functional softeners. But the model often comes with dealer lock-in and monthly service contracts that keep you tethered. Pricing can be opaque—“call for a quote”—and you’re tied to specific service windows and how to choose a water softener replacement schedules. With SoftPro, you own your system outright, receive lifetime family-backed support, and never pay dealer dependency fees. That isn’t just philosophy; it changes your total cost of ownership.

On the efficiency front, the SoftPro Elite’s upflow regeneration and 15% reserve capacity deliver dramatic salt and water savings compared to many dealer-set systems that default to higher reserves (30%+). Our emergency 15-minute quick regen prevents service interruptions without wasting salt day-to-day. You get professional-grade performance, the freedom to adjust settings to your real usage, and the confidence that your system won’t be held hostage by a service plan.

Culligan and Kinetico provide decent water; we provide efficient, durable water treatment you control. Over ten years, those differences compound into serious savings—financially and functionally. This is why families like the Tanners choose the Elite after living through dealer quotes: you get top-tier performance and independence, worth every single penny.

Comparison 2: SoftPro Elite vs. Fleck 5600SXT – Upflow Advantage and Real Salt/Water Savings

The Fleck 5600SXT is a common benchmark—a stalwart downflow valve found in many systems. It’s reliable hardware, but its traditional downflow regeneration doesn’t match the Elite’s upflow efficiency. Downflow pulls brine through the resin bed from top to bottom, often over-brining and underutilizing the resin’s full capacity. Upflow, by contrast, targets hardness more evenly and rinses more effectively, cutting salt use by up to 75% and water waste by 64%.

In practice, that means fewer regenerations, fewer trips to buy salt, and less water to drain. Pair that with the Elite’s tight 15% reserve and emergency quick regen and you avoid the “set a big reserve or risk hard water” dilemma that often plagues downflow systems. If you’ve run a 5600SXT and want to step into a modern efficiency platform without sacrificing durability, the Elite is the logical next move—better engineering, lower operating cost, worth every single penny.

Comparison 3: SoftPro Elite vs. EcoWater and SpringWell – Proven Mechanics Over App Dependence and Family Support You Can Call

EcoWater makes polished systems with app-centric features. The catch is dependency—these units often lean on Wi‑Fi, proprietary parts, and dealer networks. If your connectivity hiccups or you need service on a schedule, your water quality shouldn’t be at the mercy of an app. The Elite centers its value on field-proven mechanics: metered upflow regeneration, self-powered memory backup, and serviceable components available for the long term.

SpringWell offers decent softening, but what you don’t get is our 30+ year track record of hands-on support. With SoftPro, you can speak with me, Jeremy, or Heather. You’ll get straight answers, custom sizing help, and installation guidance from the folks who build and back the product. No detours. When performance, independence, and live, family-backed help matter, the Elite wins on trust and toughness—worth every single penny.

FAQ: SoftPro Water Softeners

1) Which SoftPro softener (ECO or Elite) is right for my home?

• Choose ECO if you’re a first-time buyer on city water seeking reliable, budget-friendly softening with metered control. Choose Elite if you want maximum salt/water efficiency, upflow regeneration, 15% reserve, emergency quick regen, and higher capacities (32K–110K) for families or heavy use. Jeremy can size you precisely based on hardness, usage, and plumbing.

2) How does upflow regeneration save 75% on salt compared to traditional softeners?

• Upflow introduces brine from the bottom of the resin bed, sweeping hardness ions off beads more uniformly and preventing channeling. You recover capacity with less salt and shorter rinse cycles, cutting both salt and water waste significantly versus downflow.

3) What grain capacity do I need for my family size and hardness level?

• As a starting point:
• 32K for small homes/condos up to ~2–3 people at moderate hardness
• 48K for 3–5 people at ~10–25 GPG
• 64K–80K+ for larger homes, high hardness, or peak flow demands
  Provide your GPG, iron (if any), and fixture count—Jeremy will right-size you.

4) Can I install SoftPro softeners myself with DIY instructions?

• Yes. Heather Phillips creates detailed DIY guides with photos, parts lists, and step-by-step instructions. Pre-installed bypass valves and quick-connect options simplify setup. Many homeowners complete installation in an afternoon.

5) What’s the difference between SoftPro Elite and Culligan softeners?

• The Elite features upflow regeneration, a lean 15% reserve with emergency quick regen, and lifetime warranty without mandatory service contracts. Culligan often requires dealer service plans and sets higher reserves, increasing salt/water use. With SoftPro, you own your system outright and get direct family support.

6) How often will my SoftPro softener regenerate?

• It depends on grain capacity, hardness, and usage. With metered control, your unit regenerates only when needed. Many homes see regenerations every 4–10 days. The Elite’s efficiency and reserve management extend time between cycles.

7) Does SoftPro Elite handle iron or do I need a separate filter?

• The Elite can manage up to about 3 ppm iron; beyond that, we recommend a dedicated iron filter. For well water, the Elite is commonly sold with the AIO Iron Master to oxidize and remove iron before softening. Bundle and save when you purchase together.

8) What warranty coverage comes with SoftPro softeners?

• Lifetime warranty on tanks and control valve across ECO and Elite, plus direct access to our family support. Components are NSF 372 lead-free. Resin is 8% crosslink, typically lasting 15–20 years under normal conditions.

9) Should I pair my softener with a filter for complete water treatment?

• City water customers often pair the Elite with the Whole House Fluoride & Carbon Filter or the Catalytic Carbon Filter to address chlorine, chloramine, VOCs, PFAS, and fluoride. Well water customers commonly pair with AIO Iron Master or a KDF Filter for iron and H2S. Bundle and save when you purchase together.

10) What’s the total cost of ownership for SoftPro vs competitors over 10 years?

• With the Elite’s upflow efficiency, expect substantial savings on salt and water—often hundreds per year—plus reduced detergent and energy costs. Avoiding dealer service contracts further lowers TCO. Over a decade, SoftPro typically beats dealer and consumer-grade systems while delivering better water and durability.

11) What’s included with the SoftPro systems out of the box?

• Mineral tank preloaded with 8% crosslink resin, brine tank, digital control valve, pre-installed bypass, and installation fittings. You supply plumbing connections, drain line routing, and salt. Heather’s guide covers everything.

12) Will SoftPro softeners maintain good water pressure?

• Yes. Properly sized SoftPro systems support strong flow (Elite up to 15 GPM). Jeremy will ensure your chosen capacity and porting match your home’s peak demand so showers stay strong even when multiple fixtures run.

Conclusion: Built for the Long Haul, Backed by a Family Who Cares

Hard water is relentless—but the solution doesn’t have to be complicated. SoftPro ECO and Elite systems deliver durable, efficient softening with lifetime-backed components, professional-grade valves, and genuine engineering advantages like upflow regeneration and metered control. The Elite’s 75% salt savings and 64% water reduction aren’t marketing fluff; they’re how we designed the system to operate in real homes. When pairing makes sense—fluoride/carbon for city water or AIO iron filtration for wells—we integrate cleanly, maintain strong flow, and protect the entire home. Bundle and save when you purchase together.

I’ve spent more than three decades building systems I’d install in my own kids’ homes—and I have. Jeremy will help you size and select the right model, Heather will guide your installation, and I’ll stand behind the engineering. Compared to dealer contracts, downflow inefficiencies, and consumer-grade compromises, SoftPro offers ownership, independence, and soft water that simply works. For families like the Tanners—and for yours—SoftPro water softeners are built for durability, designed for savings, and worth every single penny.