A happy, healthy family thrives with pure, chemical-free water and safely functioning plumbing and climate control systems at home and at work. Finken is made up of two sister companies Finken Water Solutions & Finken Plumbing, Heating & Cooling working side by side to bring you whole-home and office climate comfort and clean water solutions. Finken Water Solutions is your premium source for water treatment and bottled water for your family and co-workers — we even deliver coffee and water softener salt to your door! For problem water as simple as hard water to as complex as arsenic and nitrate tainting, Finken has chemical-free filtration solutions to purify even the nastiest water. We even offer financing and rental options so everyone has access to the purest water possible, straight out of their tap, for better drinking, cleaner laundry and squeaky clean skin and hair. When it comes to bottled beverages, Finken has you covered from our five kinds of bottled water to our 100+ varieties of brewed beverages. Finken Plumbing, Heating and Cooling is ready to tackle your home or commercial construction or remodeling projects and repairs. We work with the best builders in the business to create safe comfortable homes and working environments. From new construction to remodeling, cozy homes to comfortable apartments and office complexes, Finken is the go-to choice for plumbing, heating and cooling contracting. Got a serious plumbing or HVAC predicament? Finken is on call for you 24-hours a day. When your furnace, air conditioner or toilet is clinkin’ better think Finken!
"Finkens is amazing! They are easy to get a hold of, appointments are easy to schedule. Great softeners and maintenance! We've used Finkens for years and highly recommend their company!"
Nancy H on May 2020
A happy, healthy family thrives with pure, chemical-free water and safely functioning plumbing and climate control systems at home and at work. Finken is made up of two sister companies Finken Water Solutions & Finken Plumbing, Heating & Cooling working side by side to bring you whole-home and office climate comfort and clean water solutions. Finken Water Solutions is your premium source for water treatment and bottled water for your family and co-workers — we even deliver coffee and water softener salt to your door! For problem water as simple as hard water to as complex as arsenic and nitrate tainting, Finken has chemical-free filtration solutions to purify even the nastiest water. We even offer financing and rental options so everyone has access to the purest water possible, straight out of their tap, for better drinking, cleaner laundry and squeaky clean skin and hair. When it comes to bottled beverages, Finken has you covered from our five kinds of bottled water to our 100+ varieties of brewed beverages. Finken Plumbing, Heating and Cooling is ready to tackle your home or commercial construction or remodeling projects and repairs. We work with the best builders in the business to create safe comfortable homes and working environments. From new construction to remodeling, cozy homes to comfortable apartments and office complexes, Finken is the go-to choice for plumbing, heating and cooling contracting. Got a serious plumbing or HVAC predicament? Finken is on call for you 24-hours a day. When your furnace, air conditioner or toilet is clinkin’ better think Finken!
"Finkens is amazing! They are easy to get a hold of, appointments are easy to schedule. Great softeners and maintenance! We've used Finkens for years and highly recommend their company!"
Nancy H on May 2020
Dean’s Home Services is a licensed and bonded professional service company with over 100 years of combined industry experience. We started in plumbing, but we have expanded our services to include heating, air conditioning, electrical, drains, and excavation. Dean’s Home Services has served Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding Twin Cities area for over 25 years. As Minnesota’s premier home service company, we pride ourselves on our fast, professional, clean, and friendly service. We specialize in plumbing, heating, air, electrical, drain, and duct cleaning. Offering over 100 years of combined industry experience, our service professionals can handle all of your home service needs. Dean’s only works with properly certified, experienced service professionals who understand what it’s like to be a Twin Cities homeowner. Dean’s Home Services is a female and minority-owned local business as well as an active member of the PHCC and Nexstar organizations. Dean’s Home Services takes pride in the fact that its business is family-owned and operated. We understand firsthand the importance of family and the need to maintain a safe environment for your loved ones. Call us today to meet our family! DEAN’S PROFESSIONALS: - Respect you, your home, and your time - Listen to ensure we understand your unique situation - Help you understand what options are available - Present you with a price before the work begins - Happily perform the work you choose
"I called them for a small job, when they arrived I was told "we normally just do bigger jobs" (refused to do the work) I literally paid $49.00 just to be told "we normally just do bigger jobs" - Their moto should be "getting rich $49 at a time". Note: misleading/inaccurate responses from Deans will trigger additional posts detailing my experience with them across additional platforms."
Jacob R on July 2025
Dean’s Home Services is a licensed and bonded professional service company with over 100 years of combined industry experience. We started in plumbing, but we have expanded our services to include heating, air conditioning, electrical, drains, and excavation. Dean’s Home Services has served Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding Twin Cities area for over 25 years. As Minnesota’s premier home service company, we pride ourselves on our fast, professional, clean, and friendly service. We specialize in plumbing, heating, air, electrical, drain, and duct cleaning. Offering over 100 years of combined industry experience, our service professionals can handle all of your home service needs. Dean’s only works with properly certified, experienced service professionals who understand what it’s like to be a Twin Cities homeowner. Dean’s Home Services is a female and minority-owned local business as well as an active member of the PHCC and Nexstar organizations. Dean’s Home Services takes pride in the fact that its business is family-owned and operated. We understand firsthand the importance of family and the need to maintain a safe environment for your loved ones. Call us today to meet our family! DEAN’S PROFESSIONALS: - Respect you, your home, and your time - Listen to ensure we understand your unique situation - Help you understand what options are available - Present you with a price before the work begins - Happily perform the work you choose
"I called them for a small job, when they arrived I was told "we normally just do bigger jobs" (refused to do the work) I literally paid $49.00 just to be told "we normally just do bigger jobs" - Their moto should be "getting rich $49 at a time". Note: misleading/inaccurate responses from Deans will trigger additional posts detailing my experience with them across additional platforms."
Jacob R on July 2025
You deserve a safe and reliable home. Get the job done right the first time with outstanding customer service from the Twin Cities top rated electrician. Outlets, fans, lighting, smoke detectors, switches, and service panels. Your full service electrician.
"Fantastic. I have already used them again."
Heath A on May 2025
You deserve a safe and reliable home. Get the job done right the first time with outstanding customer service from the Twin Cities top rated electrician. Outlets, fans, lighting, smoke detectors, switches, and service panels. Your full service electrician.
"Fantastic. I have already used them again."
Heath A on May 2025
Specializing in all phases of residential heating, plumbing, and cooling services and repairs. We serve the Twin Cities Metro area residentially and we also do commercial business under the name Priority Air Mechanical. We guarantee your satisfaction and we won’t leave until the job is done right. We pride ourselves on the quality work we provide, while delivering great customer service! Check out our services offered and call or click to schedule a free estimate today!
"Charged $1,000 for less than an hour of work with no material. I will NOT hire again."
Tim K on October 2024
Specializing in all phases of residential heating, plumbing, and cooling services and repairs. We serve the Twin Cities Metro area residentially and we also do commercial business under the name Priority Air Mechanical. We guarantee your satisfaction and we won’t leave until the job is done right. We pride ourselves on the quality work we provide, while delivering great customer service! Check out our services offered and call or click to schedule a free estimate today!
"Charged $1,000 for less than an hour of work with no material. I will NOT hire again."
Tim K on October 2024
Aquarius Home Services is the top home service provider in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Offering expert service in HVAC, Water Softeners, Plumbing and Electrical . Our work is backed by a 100% performance guarantee.
"Eric and John did plumbing work at my home a month ago, and I was happy to see their familiar faces arrive to replace our broken bathroom sink. I had purchased a replacement sink that was ready for installation. The cracked sink was removed and the new sink installed. Eric quoted the job before the work was done so I had no surprise costs upon completion. Because I had previously purchased Aquarius’ annual plumbing repair plan, I was able to save on the service fee and saved an additional 15% on the job. Once again, I was impressed with Eric and John’s professionalism and attention to detail. The replacement is installed better than the original had been by my previous plumbing company."
Rhonda T on August 2023
Aquarius Home Services is the top home service provider in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Offering expert service in HVAC, Water Softeners, Plumbing and Electrical . Our work is backed by a 100% performance guarantee.
"Eric and John did plumbing work at my home a month ago, and I was happy to see their familiar faces arrive to replace our broken bathroom sink. I had purchased a replacement sink that was ready for installation. The cracked sink was removed and the new sink installed. Eric quoted the job before the work was done so I had no surprise costs upon completion. Because I had previously purchased Aquarius’ annual plumbing repair plan, I was able to save on the service fee and saved an additional 15% on the job. Once again, I was impressed with Eric and John’s professionalism and attention to detail. The replacement is installed better than the original had been by my previous plumbing company."
Rhonda T on August 2023
With experience in water conditioning since 1972, we have the experience, products and services to meet your needs. We are professionals who are dedicated to assisting you by offering high quality products and reliable service. From water softeners and filtration systems to water treatment and salt services, we can help. Call us today!
With experience in water conditioning since 1972, we have the experience, products and services to meet your needs. We are professionals who are dedicated to assisting you by offering high quality products and reliable service. From water softeners and filtration systems to water treatment and salt services, we can help. Call us today!
We have been in business since 1961, we are a family owned and operated business.
We have been in business since 1961, we are a family owned and operated business.
We are a family of elite heating, air conditioning, and plumbing professionals here to provide the Twin Cities community with a pathway to a higher-level service experience that exceeds expectations. Since 2009, we’ve proudly earned our reputation as the most knowledgeable in our industry through our dedication to continuous improvement – and our desire to do more, go futher, and provide greater value to every customer. We are a united TEAM, 100% committed to raising the bar to provide Service A Better Way, Every Step of the Way.
"I have a home warranty on my recently purchased home. The home warranty company contracts with BWS. The tech, Ryan G, came to my house on 6/24/21 to assess the plumbing issues I discovered after I purchased my home. He told me on 6/24 he would be requesting approval from my home warranty company for the repairs/replacements, then they would need to order parts, and once the parts arrived, would be able to schedule the service. It is 7/8/21. I have been trying to find out from my home warranty company about the delay. I was informed today by my home warranty company "regarding your plumbing request, the technician has not submitted a full diagnosis, but he did call in to advise us that this was a flipper house that was purchased as is and there was no inspection done on the home. I have requested the diagnosis from them. I will follow up with you once it is received." This comes as a HUGE surprise to me as I purchased the home for myself, for me to live in. The housing market is tough right now and many buyers are bypassing inspections so their offers don't get passed-over by sellers. It is definitely a fixer-upper since it was a cat and hoarder house that had been neglected for over 5 years by the previous owner. Someone prior to that owner had done quite a few DIY projects. The house has good bones and needs cosmetic work (flooring, walls, trim). I previously owned and lived in a 110 year old house for over a decade and did many of the renovations myself. I have YEARS of plans to make my new house and yard exactly what I want and need. After the purchase of my house, I had ripped out all of the cat-hair-and-grime-covered flooring, window trim, baseboards, and window treatments. And then I broke my arm. Now most of the projects I had planned are on hold as I cannot use my left arm for anything for at least a few more months. In the meantime, for my home to be ready for me to move in, I need some plumbing issues fixed that I discovered after the purchase of my home. Hence the request for repair through my home warranty that was sent to BWS. While the tech was at my house, I was displeased with his attitude and the way he spoke with me. He treated me as though I were unintelligent, didn't know what I was asking about with my house, didn't know what my home warranty contract covers, and was very dismissive. BWS has not performed any service. They have not followed through with making the request for approval of repair/replacement through my home warranty company. The BWS tech instead took it upon himself to go out of his way to call the home warranty company make false statements to them about me, my house, and my property. I sure hope this is not the type of customer service BWS does for everyone. But then maybe he treated me this way because I am female and have a broken arm."
Andi S on July 2021
We are a family of elite heating, air conditioning, and plumbing professionals here to provide the Twin Cities community with a pathway to a higher-level service experience that exceeds expectations. Since 2009, we’ve proudly earned our reputation as the most knowledgeable in our industry through our dedication to continuous improvement – and our desire to do more, go futher, and provide greater value to every customer. We are a united TEAM, 100% committed to raising the bar to provide Service A Better Way, Every Step of the Way.
"I have a home warranty on my recently purchased home. The home warranty company contracts with BWS. The tech, Ryan G, came to my house on 6/24/21 to assess the plumbing issues I discovered after I purchased my home. He told me on 6/24 he would be requesting approval from my home warranty company for the repairs/replacements, then they would need to order parts, and once the parts arrived, would be able to schedule the service. It is 7/8/21. I have been trying to find out from my home warranty company about the delay. I was informed today by my home warranty company "regarding your plumbing request, the technician has not submitted a full diagnosis, but he did call in to advise us that this was a flipper house that was purchased as is and there was no inspection done on the home. I have requested the diagnosis from them. I will follow up with you once it is received." This comes as a HUGE surprise to me as I purchased the home for myself, for me to live in. The housing market is tough right now and many buyers are bypassing inspections so their offers don't get passed-over by sellers. It is definitely a fixer-upper since it was a cat and hoarder house that had been neglected for over 5 years by the previous owner. Someone prior to that owner had done quite a few DIY projects. The house has good bones and needs cosmetic work (flooring, walls, trim). I previously owned and lived in a 110 year old house for over a decade and did many of the renovations myself. I have YEARS of plans to make my new house and yard exactly what I want and need. After the purchase of my house, I had ripped out all of the cat-hair-and-grime-covered flooring, window trim, baseboards, and window treatments. And then I broke my arm. Now most of the projects I had planned are on hold as I cannot use my left arm for anything for at least a few more months. In the meantime, for my home to be ready for me to move in, I need some plumbing issues fixed that I discovered after the purchase of my home. Hence the request for repair through my home warranty that was sent to BWS. While the tech was at my house, I was displeased with his attitude and the way he spoke with me. He treated me as though I were unintelligent, didn't know what I was asking about with my house, didn't know what my home warranty contract covers, and was very dismissive. BWS has not performed any service. They have not followed through with making the request for approval of repair/replacement through my home warranty company. The BWS tech instead took it upon himself to go out of his way to call the home warranty company make false statements to them about me, my house, and my property. I sure hope this is not the type of customer service BWS does for everyone. But then maybe he treated me this way because I am female and have a broken arm."
Andi S on July 2021
Water softeners consist of three main components: a mineral tank, a brine tank, and a control valve. In some smaller units, the mineral tank and brine tank are combined into one cabinet.
Professionals install whole-home systems at the point of entry of the main water line. Smaller units are installed under sinks or near a washer—these units only soften the water for that fixture, not the entire home.
Mineral Tank: Hard water passes into the mineral tank through resin beads, and an ion exchange occurs. Magnesium and calcium ions are exchanged for sodium or potassium ions from the brine tank.
Brine Tank: The brine tank contains sodium or potassium to recharge the resin.
Control Valve: The control valve determines when to clean the resin beads.
Choosing between a salt-based or potassium-based water softener depends on your priorities. Salt-based systems effectively remove hard-water minerals, regenerate efficiently, and are cost-effective. However, they may not be ideal for individuals on low-sodium diets. Potassium-based systems neutralize minerals without removing them and regenerate more frequently. They are more expensive but offer a healthier and more environmentally friendly option. If sodium levels are a concern and cost isn't a major factor, a potassium system may be the better choice.
To calculate your water softener's capacity, determine your grains per gallon (GPG) number by:
Multiplying the number of people in your home by 90. The average number of gallons used per person for washing, drinking, and cooking ranges from 80 to 100 gallons per day.
Multiplying that result by the hardness of your water. The average grains per gallon in the United States is 10 but can range from 0 to 17. You can find your GPG number by purchasing an at-home water testing kit.
Installing a water softener takes between two to four hours on average. The exact duration depends on the complexity of the unit and whether additional plumbing or electrical work is required. If modifications to existing pipes are necessary, installation may take longer. Preparing the installation area by clearing any obstructions can help streamline the process.
Water softeners can last up to 25 years with proper maintenance and care. The lifespan depends on the type and quality of the unit you choose. Single-tank electric water softeners may last around 12 years, while higher-quality models tend to last longer. Regular maintenance, such as routine inspections and timely replacement of salts or potassium, helps extend the life of your system. Most water softeners require minimal repairs over their lifespan.