The water from borewell is very hard and because of this the water is clogging the geyzer, wahing machine etc in Bangalore. I am planning to buy a domestic water softner, please let me know its maintenance, cost, and its effect on water supply pressure and also where it should be fitted?

Further do you think it will be an alternative for commercially available RO, as my main need is softwater for domestic utility. For drinking purpose I have already having Aquaguard.

Please let me know after fitting the water softener, what would be the flow rate in taps.