AquaCell Water Softener

The Culligan AquaCell is a duplex water softener that operates without electricity and supplies soft water 24 hours a day. Two resin cells alternate: while one regenerates, the other continues softening the water. It runs on water pressure, uses 23 litres of rinse water per regeneration and, at just 20.5 cm wide, is the smallest twin-cell water softener on the Dutch market. PureAqua price: €2,348.

• ✅ Continuous soft water, even during regeneration, thanks to two cells
• ✅ No electricity required: operates entirely on water pressure
• ✅ 23 litres of rinse water per regeneration, approximately 3% additional water consumption
• ✅ Only 20.5 cm wide, fitting into almost any meter cupboard
• ✅ KIWA certified to BRL-K14022 and WRAS certified
• ✅ 5-year all-in service, 15-year parts warranty and 30-year resin warranty

How it works

The AquaCell has two resin cells that operate in parallel. Water flows through both cells simultaneously, providing a flow rate of 3,000 litres per hour. When one cell becomes saturated, it regenerates using brine from the salt supply while the other cell takes over the softening process. You will not notice the change: there is no point at which hard water comes from the tap. During regeneration, the single active cell still supplies 1,800 litres per hour, which is more than sufficient because an average shower uses 8 to 12 litres per minute.

Regeneration is volume-controlled and uses an upflow process: each cell regenerates after approximately 700 litres of treated water. At a water hardness of 11 °dH, this equals a capacity of approximately 7.7 °dH·m³ per regeneration. For a four-person household, this amounts to around 257 regenerations per year. Because the AquaCell operates on water pressure, it requires no electrical socket and its electricity cost is exactly zero.

Who is the AquaCell suitable for?

Culligan deliberately offers one model instead of multiple capacities. It is suitable for households ranging from one person to approximately eight people at one address. Because the system regenerates according to volume, it adapts to actual consumption: the more water you use, the more frequently it regenerates. More than 325,000 people worldwide now own an AquaCell.

Will I notice a difference in water pressure?

Hardly at all during normal household use. At a shower flow rate of 8 to 12 litres per minute, the pressure drop is less than 0.2 bar. The pressure drop only reaches 0.9 bar at 30 litres per minute, which is more than the 25 litres per minute allowed by a standard water meter. In short: if your water pressure is currently sufficient, it will remain so.

Technical specifications

What does the AquaCell cost to run?

For an average four-person household using 180 m³ of water per year at 11 °dH, Culligan estimates annual costs of approximately €125 for salt and around €5 for rinse water. Electricity costs nothing because the AquaCell operates on water pressure. Total running costs are therefore approximately €130 per year. Including purchase, installation and service over fifteen years, the overall cost is approximately €200 to €250 per year.

Frequently asked questions

Does the AquaCell also supply soft water during regeneration?
Yes. This is the difference compared with a single-cylinder system. The AquaCell has two cells: while one regenerates, the other continues softening. You therefore have soft water 24 hours a day, with 1,800 litres per hour available during regeneration instead of 3,000.

Does the AquaCell require electricity?
No. The AquaCell operates entirely on water pressure between 1 and 8 bar. No electrical socket is needed near the water meter and annual electricity consumption is zero. It continues to operate during a power cut.

How much rinse water does the AquaCell use?
It uses 23 litres per regeneration. For a four-person household consuming 180 m³ per year, that means approximately 257 regenerations and 5.6 m³ of rinse water: around 3% above normal consumption and approximately €5 per year.

How many people is the AquaCell suitable for?
It is suitable for households from one person to approximately eight people at one address. Culligan deliberately offers one model: because the AquaCell regenerates according to volume, it automatically adapts to actual household consumption.

Will the AquaCell fit in my meter cupboard?
At 49 cm high, 20.5 cm wide and 44 cm deep, it is the smallest twin-cell water softener on the market. It weighs 30 kg in use, requires no electrical socket and its hoses can be connected on either the left or right. Not sure? Send us a photo of your meter cupboard and we will assess it without obligation.

Will I notice a change in water pressure?
At a shower flow rate of 8 to 12 litres per minute, the pressure drop is less than 0.2 bar. At 30 litres per minute it is 0.9 bar, but a standard water meter does not allow more than 25 litres per minute anyway. In practice, you will not notice a difference.

Is the AquaCell certified?
Yes. The AquaCell has KIWA approval under assessment guideline BRL-K14022 for appliances that treat drinking and hot tap water, including the relevant hygiene requirements. The European NEN-EN 14743+A1 standard for water softeners forms part of this. The AquaCell is also WRAS certified.

What is the difference compared with Joep?
The AquaCell has two cells and therefore supplies soft water during regeneration; Joep has one cylinder and regenerates at night. The AquaCell operates without electricity, while Joep uses a 12 V adapter. At €1,699, Joep is considerably less expensive and publishes its salt consumption in kilograms; the AquaCell is more compact and offers longer warranty periods. Compare both in our water softener overview.

View our other water softeners, or combine limescale-free water with purified drinking water using our drinking-water filtration systems.