NuvoH2O Reviews

About NuvoH2O

Based out of Kaysville, UT, the “As Seen on TV” NuvoH2O water softening system claims to “harness the power of citrus” to help prevent the buildup of scale in your plumbing system and water-based appliances. As a result, it claims to “renew the life and performance” of your plumbing system, and to help you save thousands of dollars per year.

See Also: Beware: Not Following These 6 Tips Could Cost You Money on Your Next “As Seen on TV” Purchase

As a company, NuvoH2O holds an A rating with the Better Business Bureau, and only five closed complaints within the past three years. Regarding the company’s products, online sentiment appears to be mostly positive, though the most common complaints we encountered included that it is not an ideal solution in all areas of the country, high price, and that the system only reduces pH and prevents buildup, but doesn’t actually soften your water.

How NuvoH2O Works

According to the NuvoH2O website, “hard” water, which contains high concentrations of minerals such as magnesium and calcium, can be deposited on any surface they come in contact with. Over time they can slowly build up and form “scales, which are crusty deposits that can wreak all sorts of havoc, including clogging and corroding your plumbing system, as well as your water-based appliances.

To combat this, NuvoH2O systems use an FDA approved, food-based chelant known as Citryne to keep these “hard” minerals soluble, and to prevent them from depositing onto the inside of your plumbing. The company claims that this eco-friendly technology was developed based on more than 30 years of experience within the commercial water treatment industry, and that it can add up to 30% to the life of your water-based appliances.

Unlike many other water softening systems on the market, NuvoH2O claims to not only remove the buildup of scale, but to also preventing it from occurring in the future. Its compact (6” X 24”) design also uses up to four times less water than comparable systems, requires no electricity to operate, and will not cause the taste of your water to change.

The NuvoH2O system is available in three different models, depending on the size of your home:

• Nuvo Studio System – Ideal for homes under 1,000sqft.
• Nuvo Home System – Ideal for homes between 1,000 and 2,000sqft.
• Nuvo Manor System – Ideal for homes over 2,000sqft.

Based on information provided on the product’s website, installation may take as little as one hour (depending on the pipe configuration in your home), though professional installation is recommended if pipe rerouting is required. If you need professional assistance, you can also call 877-688-6420 for installer recommendations in your area. For complete installation instructions, please click here.

Since the NuvoH2O system is citrus-based (versus salt-based), you’ll simply need to change your cartridge once every six months for the Home and Manor systems, or every 3 months for the Studio system. The company claims there are several models of cartridges available depending on the hardness level of your water, and should only take you 60 seconds to replace.

NuvoH2O Pricing & Refund Policy

NuvoH2O claims that their systems cost 50-80% less than many of their competitors, and that it can help an average family of four to save more than $2,000 per year. With this in mind, pricing directly through the company is as follows, and includes free shipping:

Nuvo Studio System:

• Option 1 – Initial processing fee of $29.95. After 30 days, you’ll be billed three monthly installments of $166.33, totaling $528.94.
• Option 2 – Single payment of $474 (savings of $54.94).

Nuvo Home System:

• Option 1 – Initial non-refundable processing fee of $29.95. After 30 days, you’ll be billed three monthly installments of $233, totaling $728.95.
• Option 2 – Single payment of $649 (savings of $79.95).

Nuvo Manor System:

• Option 1 – Initial non-refundable processing fee of $29.95. After 30 days, you’ll be billed three monthly installments of $333, totaling $1,028.95.
• Option 2 – Single payment of $949 (savings of $79.95).

Replacement cartridges will cost you between $49.95 and $89.95, depending on which system you choose. In addition to the manufacturer, NuvoH2O systems and cartridges are also available through Amazon.com, as well as numerous other online retailers.

All NuvoH2O systems come with a no-questions-asked 90-day money back guarantee, less shipping and handling charges. Systems also come with a fairly comprehensive lifetime warranty, and full details can be found here.

Bottom Line: Is NuvoH2O a Scam?

With all this information in mind, what’s the bottom line: Is NuvoH2O a scam? While the product appears to have a primarily positive online reputation, there are a few things you may want to keep in mind prior to ordering.

First of all, the NuvoH2O softening system is an “As Seen on TV” product, which tend to have lower levels of customer satisfaction that many other types of products, for a wide variety of reasons. Some of the most common complaints we encountered during our research included high price, that it is not an ideal solution in all areas of the country, and that the system only reduces pH and prevents buildup, but doesn’t actually soften your water (more about this below).

Second, while Citryne—the primary active ingredient in NuvoH2O systems—is claimed to be food-based and FDA-approved, we were unable find any information about the product through the FDA website, or online. However, this could be due to the fact that Citryne is a patented brand, and the chemicals contained therein are what have been approved by the FDA. It should be noted that, even though the NuvoH2O website claims Citryne doesn’t cause any change in your water’s taste, we encountered numerous customers complaining of a “chemical” taste in their water immediately after installation, and even seeing their water turn blue for the first few days.

Next, calling the NuvoH2O a water softening system isn’t exactly correct. This is because a water softener works by dissolving and removing minerals, while the NuvoH2O simply uses Citryne to bind these minerals together, and to prevent them from building up within your plumbing system. This is important because if you’re expecting to experience truly “soft” water after installing your NuvoH2O, you’re likely to be disappointed. Also, it’s interesting to note that the company uses pH, which is a measure of acidity, to gauge whether or not their systems are performing as intended in your home. This is unusual because the level (parts per million) of mineral content is what determines “hardness” or “softness,” not acidity levels. This has led some to conclude that the system doesn’t actually perform as intended, and that the company uses pH as a kind of “smoke and mirrors.”

Finally, as with any water softening or filtration system, there is almost never one solution for all areas of the country. In our opinion, whether you ultimately choose the NuvoH2O or another system, it might be best to check out all your options before purchasing.