Do you have a water softener system?

Bathing every day. I have been wondering since the middle of your house construction how you cope with the stress from work and building... now everything is clear

Yes, the landlord is a complete idiot. I only pay for the electricity myself here and everything else I get at the rate of the local standard cold rent. He didn't realize this when the contract was concluded, so I had the rent fixed directly for five years.

So I have now taken a look. The water consumption should be around 300m³ per year.

The general contractor offered the following:
Water softening system “Judo SOFTWELLS S”. Power connection 230V on site. Installation package for connection/modification to the already existing pipe system.

Conel above-ground shaft Flow Box with built-in immersion pump as condensate pump including pressure pipe to sewer connection without electrical connection. Additional cost EUR 4,605.30 gross. Removal of condensate pump consisting of: Conel condensate pump for drainage of condensate or overpressure water including pressure pipe. Discount: EUR 351.00
Total additional cost EUR 4,254.30 gross.

Today I had another company come by again. They would retrofit it without any problems after the general contractor’s work. They recommend Grünbeck softliQ:SC 18. I explicitly said that we consume a lot of water, have a shower where 26 liters per minute flow through and that we also shower and bathe simultaneously, etc. – still, he thinks that this model is sufficient. The general contractor’s sanitary provider also chose the simplest product from Judo.

In contrast, when you enter your data in Grünbeck’s product finder, it wants to sell me the softliQ:MC32. This is caused by the question: “high-quality sanitary equipment? YES”. Even if you leave out the high-quality sanitary equipment in the questions, you come to the SoftliQ:SC 23.

I think the system from the general contractor is not acceptable at all. It is a single-column system without time-controlled regeneration. This means that in the middle of the shower process, suddenly hard water flows through the pipes when regeneration starts. That is a no-go! So Judo only comes as Softwell P with two columns. When I described our framework conditions during a phone call at Judo, the employee said I could forget everything else, I would need the Judo Softwell Maxi system for that consumption. When confronted with this, the Grünbeck provider today said that it makes no sense because the pipes are not that thick.

I am still undecided about what to do. It will definitely not be the Softwell S. Judo Softwell P is conceivable, although Judo themselves advise against it. Unfortunately, Grünbeck only has two-column technology from the MC32 onwards. At least with them, the single-column units have a time-controlled (learning) regeneration that is probably scheduled during the night.

So at the moment I am leaning more towards the Judo Softwell P. A permanent soft water supply through two columns. With Grünbeck, two columns would only be guaranteed with the ultra-expensive MC. Although with Grünbeck perhaps the single-column with night regeneration is enough. Difficult. Annoying for the decision-making is that the manufacturers recommend significantly more powerful units (Judo customer service on the phone and Grünbeck product finder online) and the installers each recommend the simplest of the available devices.

The water consumption is probably around 300m³ per year.

300 m³/a is definitely a big number. You are about a factor of 3 above a typical single-family house.

I specifically said that we consume a lot of water, have a shower where 26 liters per minute flow through, and also shower and bathe simultaneously, etc. - still he thinks this model is sufficient.

With 2 showers running simultaneously, you reach about 50 l/min or 3 m³/h. A single-column system doesn't work at all with that. The Softwell P is also pushed to the limit if you consider the pressure losses. What is your inlet pressure? Grünbeck has nothing left in the Softwell P category; it would actually have to be the MC32. Possibly, compared to your offer, this is not much more expensive, since the MC can pump its wastewater by itself up to about 2 m above the finished floor level. Otherwise, what is the purpose of the above-ground shaft in the offer?

Or what else is the above-floor shaft from the offer good for?

No idea. The supplier is playing dead.

What surprises me is that the second consulted installer also offered a small system with the little Grünbeck, even though I mentioned to him what the water demand here is. He then said that the thin pipe wouldn't allow for more anyway.

I don't know the pressure. On the other hand, it must be high because they have installed a pressure reducer.

Or what else is the above-ground shaft from the offer good for?

No idea. The provider is playing dead.

What surprises me is that the second consulted installer also offered a small system with the little Grünbeck, even though I mentioned to him the water demand here. He then said that the thin pipe wouldn't allow for more anyway.

I don't know the pressure. On the other hand, it must be high because they installed a pressure reducer.