CountryBoy19
Member
The gentlemen was very polite, and fairly knowledgeable on the product. I was mainly interested in RO water systems but might be interested in other systems too. Most of all, he wasn't pushy. He did want to make sure that if I bought a system it was tied to him since he made the trip to my place; I think that's a very reasonable expectation.
Water test results:
Hardness: 16 g/gal
Iron: no discernable amount of iron (he said there may be a little but it was hard to tell)
TDS: 350 (if I recall correctly)
My primary interest is in a RO water system; it is a must-have for me and my water source (well that has the potential of surface water contamination).
Things that really appeal to me with Kinetico's K5 filtration system: WOW tank, and the end-of-cycle membrane flush (they flush RO water over the membrane at the end of a purification cycle to reduce contaminant creep across the membrane).
The system normally sells for $1800 but they offer $600 trade-in on an old system.
He recommended 2 different softners of which I don't actually have specs for yet (he was going to email them).
1st:
Traditional 2-tank style that consumes 1.6 lb salt and 19 gallons of water per back-flush
2nd:
Compacted resin high-efficiency 2-tank style that consumes .9 lb salt and 9 gallons of water per back-flush
He said the high-efficiency will not work well if you have iron or high levels of hardness but my hardness isn't too bad and my nearly non-existent iron
Cost for the softner was ~$3600 and there is a $1000 trade-in (I have an old culligan that is bypassed).
That being said, they are currently running a black Friday deal, buy the premier softner get the RO system free.
My current RO is leaving 60 ppm TDS in the water which he said is a 82% rejection rate (not really that good)
I really like their RO system, although I recognize it's really high priced. Combining with the softner gains some advantages though.
#1 is the cost savings, #2 if the RO system is downstream of one of their softners the RO membrane has a 10 year warranty, #3 Their compact system seems to really cut back on salt consumption but I want to see the specs and numbers before I agree that it does.
So... I know Kinetico and Culligan aren't looked upon highly here. But for a guy that doesn't have the time to research putting together his own system, they seems relatively affordable. Considering cheap 2-tank compacted media systems with mediocre reviews are $1000-1400, and I would still have to install them (Kinetico prices include installation) and the warranty and customer support that comes with their products, I don't think it's a terrible deal...
So talk to me: Can I get a more affordable RO system that flushes the membrane to minimize contaminant creep and also has a WOW tank?
Softners, does the salt consumption sound too good to be true? I realize that system is pricey but I tend to look at long-term ownership cost. If it really does consume less salt, and they offer support & a warranty that I would otherwise have to pay for out of pocket, it tips the scales more to the Kinetico products.
Lastly, UV water treatment. I haven't tested my water for bacteria yet but I suspect there may be some contamination. Even if there isn't, the future possibility is increased; I live in cattle country. The watershed over my well hasn't had cattle on it in decades but they're running new fences so if I'm getting surface water through the Karst limestone then I could have bacteria problems in the future. Their UV system is $1200...
I plan to have a more comprehensive test done on the water... I just need a little guidance on softner and RO systems...
Water test results:
Hardness: 16 g/gal
Iron: no discernable amount of iron (he said there may be a little but it was hard to tell)
TDS: 350 (if I recall correctly)
My primary interest is in a RO water system; it is a must-have for me and my water source (well that has the potential of surface water contamination).
Things that really appeal to me with Kinetico's K5 filtration system: WOW tank, and the end-of-cycle membrane flush (they flush RO water over the membrane at the end of a purification cycle to reduce contaminant creep across the membrane).
The system normally sells for $1800 but they offer $600 trade-in on an old system.
He recommended 2 different softners of which I don't actually have specs for yet (he was going to email them).
1st:
Traditional 2-tank style that consumes 1.6 lb salt and 19 gallons of water per back-flush
2nd:
Compacted resin high-efficiency 2-tank style that consumes .9 lb salt and 9 gallons of water per back-flush
He said the high-efficiency will not work well if you have iron or high levels of hardness but my hardness isn't too bad and my nearly non-existent iron
Cost for the softner was ~$3600 and there is a $1000 trade-in (I have an old culligan that is bypassed).
That being said, they are currently running a black Friday deal, buy the premier softner get the RO system free.
My current RO is leaving 60 ppm TDS in the water which he said is a 82% rejection rate (not really that good)
I really like their RO system, although I recognize it's really high priced. Combining with the softner gains some advantages though.
#1 is the cost savings, #2 if the RO system is downstream of one of their softners the RO membrane has a 10 year warranty, #3 Their compact system seems to really cut back on salt consumption but I want to see the specs and numbers before I agree that it does.
So... I know Kinetico and Culligan aren't looked upon highly here. But for a guy that doesn't have the time to research putting together his own system, they seems relatively affordable. Considering cheap 2-tank compacted media systems with mediocre reviews are $1000-1400, and I would still have to install them (Kinetico prices include installation) and the warranty and customer support that comes with their products, I don't think it's a terrible deal...
So talk to me: Can I get a more affordable RO system that flushes the membrane to minimize contaminant creep and also has a WOW tank?
Softners, does the salt consumption sound too good to be true? I realize that system is pricey but I tend to look at long-term ownership cost. If it really does consume less salt, and they offer support & a warranty that I would otherwise have to pay for out of pocket, it tips the scales more to the Kinetico products.
Lastly, UV water treatment. I haven't tested my water for bacteria yet but I suspect there may be some contamination. Even if there isn't, the future possibility is increased; I live in cattle country. The watershed over my well hasn't had cattle on it in decades but they're running new fences so if I'm getting surface water through the Karst limestone then I could have bacteria problems in the future. Their UV system is $1200...
I plan to have a more comprehensive test done on the water... I just need a little guidance on softner and RO systems...