The Kinetico Water Softener Difference
With so many companies offering water treatment systems and such a wide range of prices, it’s difficult to know how one system compares to another. Listed below are some important tips to help consumers make an informed decision about their needs.
Company
1. Many new companies open up each year with limited experience and knowledge about the water treatment industry, and just as many companies close down every year leaving consumers stranded without service and warranty support.
2. Shop with a national company that can provide warranties, service, parts and filters.
Pricing/Value
1. Shop and compare with reputable national companies. A low price is no bargain if the company is out of business in a year or two.
2. Make sure the quoted price includes installation. Get a written quote and make sure there are no hidden charges.
3. The company should provide literature, specifications, operating costs, written warranties and third party validations on the exact system quoted.
Warranties
1. Ask to read the original manufacturers warranty. Do not accept verbal promises from the salesperson.
2. A “lifetime” warranty is always a “limited lifetime” with the most expensive parts not being covered for more than a year or two. Also, ask who’s lifetime the warranty is supposed to cover.
3. Make sure any warranty is fully transferable, if you move the equipment to a new home or want to sell the unit to a new owner.The company should provide literature, specifications, operating costs, written warranties and third party validations on the exact system quoted.
Maintenance Costs
1. Review ongoing costs to operate a system as well as the cost to purchase the equipment. In many cases, the money saved on the purchase of a lower priced system is more than offset by the ongoing maintenance costs of that equipment over the warranty life of the product. The best value is the combination of a quality product with little or no maintenance costs and a solid manufacturers warranty.
Certification
1. NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) is the most important third party certification organization for water treatment systems. They have established the highest standards for product claims, manufacturing practices and product design in the industry.
2. Make sure the entire system you’re evaluating is NSF certified and not just one or two specific components.
Convenience
1. Ask to see an owner’s manual before purchasing and review how to operate the equipment.
2. Find out how to troubleshoot the system if something goes wrong and how to set-up or reset the unit.
3. If shopping for a drinking water system, review how to change the filters and how long the filters are supposed to last between changes.
Efficiency
1. Efficiency refers to how much regenerant (salt or potassium chloride) is used, how much water is required, and how much time it takes to regenerate the system. Higher efficiency systems always cost less to operate in the short and long term.
2. Consumers should compare the purchase price, cost of operation and amount of regular maintenance required on each system to determine the total cost of any system they may be considering.
Exclusive 21st Century Technology
1. Non-electric
2. Demand Operated
3. No Timer Problems
4. Conserves Water
5. Adjusts Automatically
| COMPARE The Kinetico Difference | Kinetico | Culligan | Rainsoft | Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is electricity used? | NO | YES | YES | YES |
| Longest manufacturer warranty on all parts (Not Pro-rated) | YES | NO | NO | NO |
| Are electrical part problems eliminated? | YES | NO | NO | NO |
| Does humidity and moisture affect control valve? | NO | YES | YES | YES |
| Provides clean water 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! | YES | NO | NO | NO |