Water Softeners and Air Filtration Systems - Is Kinetico Worth the Cost?
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Tincup15
03-15-05, 08:10 AM
I am looking at adding a water softener to my house. I just had a Kinetico dealer give me his sales pitch and I'm wondering if the Kinetico Model 2040 is worth the $2400 price tag. It's a dual tank system that uses less salt and provides continuous soft water.
He told me I have extremely hard water (19) and that the Kinetico will produce softer water than your standard electric single tank model. His pitch was that the system will pay off in the long run due to the savings of soap, detergent, clothing, less salt, lower heating bills, etc...Also, the warranty is 10 years and he said I would probably be replacing the cheaper model in 3-5 years.
The other system I'm looking at is a Commers "A" series single tank for $900.
I was wondering if anybody has any experience with Kinetico? Any non-biased opinions on whether or not the Kinetico system is really worth the additional cost?
Thank you.
He told me I have extremely hard water (19) and that the Kinetico will produce softer water than your standard electric single tank model. His pitch was that the system will pay off in the long run due to the savings of soap, detergent, clothing, less salt, lower heating bills, etc...Also, the warranty is 10 years and he said I would probably be replacing the cheaper model in 3-5 years.
The other system I'm looking at is a Commers "A" series single tank for $900.
I was wondering if anybody has any experience with Kinetico? Any non-biased opinions on whether or not the Kinetico system is really worth the additional cost?
Thank you.
Moli
03-16-05, 11:01 AM
The only thing that water softener salesmen seem to agree upon is that softeners that they don't sell or service only last from 3 to 5 years or so. :p
The Kinetico has some interesting features, like being non-electric, and having twin tanks so one tank can supply soft water while the other is regenerating. But don't listen to what a salesman tells you, ask YOURSELF if you want or need these features... Do you really need to pay the added expense so that you have continuous soft water? With a properly sized single tank "on demand" unit, you might run out of soft water once in a while, just like with a properly sized water heater you can run out of hot water once in a while. Only you can answer this.
The 10 year warranty (make sure you get a paper copy before you make a decision and READ it) sounds exceptional, but IMO $2400 is way overpriced for ANY typical residential softener.
The Commers sounds like more realistic pricing, but their website doesn't give a whole lot of information on the unit.
The Kinetico has some interesting features, like being non-electric, and having twin tanks so one tank can supply soft water while the other is regenerating. But don't listen to what a salesman tells you, ask YOURSELF if you want or need these features... Do you really need to pay the added expense so that you have continuous soft water? With a properly sized single tank "on demand" unit, you might run out of soft water once in a while, just like with a properly sized water heater you can run out of hot water once in a while. Only you can answer this.
The 10 year warranty (make sure you get a paper copy before you make a decision and READ it) sounds exceptional, but IMO $2400 is way overpriced for ANY typical residential softener.
The Commers sounds like more realistic pricing, but their website doesn't give a whole lot of information on the unit.
jdp38
03-18-05, 06:25 AM
Moli's right......you have to decide if it's worth it.......personally, it is ......my dad's unit was installed in 1985, still working today like it was first put in.......his water heater was replaced in 1989, after some moron who shall remain nameless drove a truck thru the garage!!.........you have to think, you're getting the conditioner to rid your home of hard water, why would you mind "running out"?.....i will admit, I am a little biased, being that I decided to go to work for them.....NOT a salesman.....and by all means, get the warranty in writing, but i can verify it IS 10 years on all parts.....if you have questions, let me know.....by the way, that is a reasonable price.....be sure that includes taxes and installation! :)