Are you thinking about replacing or upgrading your home’s water system? Buying a new water softener can extend the life of your water-using appliances, soften skin, smooth hair and clean dishes better. It can also save you money because you’ll use less soaps and cleaners.
But choose carefully before deciding what’s right for you and your family. Start by identifying which water quality issues you are having so you can select the system that corrects them. There are other pros and cons to think about. Some water softeners may burn out early under Minnesota’s heavy mineral loads. Others may not produce soft water all the time or may require more of your day-to-day attention.
Here are some important questions to consider before you buy a water softener replacement, plus answers to the most common questions ranging from water softener salt delivery to how often your system should regenerate (and how to avoid getting hard water during the regeneration process).
- Does the system have one softening tank or two?
- Most water softener appliances, including those available in big box stores, have one tank.
- Kinetico is the first twin softening tank water conditioner.
- Will you receive softened, treated water all the time?
- Single tank water softeners must use raw, unsoftened water to regenerate. During the regeneration process, your water-using appliances including your water softener, as well as your family are exposed to the impurities and contaminants the system is supposed to be treating.
- Two tank systems regenerate with soft, treated water. There is no “down time” when conditioned water is not available.
- Is electricity required?
- Electric water softeners depend on an electric clock and computerized components to function. Unexpected power failures were not considered in this configuration. Also keep in mind that electrical components are prone to malfunction in the damp, salty environments which is exactly where you need your water softener to function.
- Twin tank water softeners, such as Kinetico®, are non-electric. Because they have no computers or electronic parts, there’s nothing to go haywire and no costly electronic repairs. Plus, all control valves operate in soft water.
- How often does the water softener regenerate?
- Electric water softeners regenerate on a preset schedule that does not account for unexpected changes in water usage, such as vacations or house guests.
- Non-electric water softeners automatically regenerate only when needed, depending on your actual water usage. There’s no wasted regenerant. While water softeners in average households typically regenerate every 3 to 7 days, they may regenerate more frequently on laundry days. If you’re on vacation and use zero water, the system won’t regenerate at all.
- How long will this water softener last?
- Single-tank water softeners have an average lifespan of 2-10 years.
- Twin-tank water softeners last 20 years or longer, based on Kinetico® longevity statistics.
- How long is the warranty period?
- The warranty period for single tank water softeners is typically one year.
- The warranty period for Kinetico® twin tank Signature Series is 5 years. The Kinetico® Premier Series comes with a 10-year warranty.
Haferman’s bonus question: Will you have to wrestle heavy, 40-pound bags of salt?
With Haferman’s Premium Salt Delivery & Maintenance service, our team brings genuine Kinetico salt directly to your home. We’ll even pour the salt into your water softener’s brine tank and run a courtesy check on your system. (Store pick up is also available.)
We will also change the filters on your drinking water system, or any filter in your home. Or, we can ship filters to your door if you want to replace them yourself.
Do you want to learn more about installing a Kinetico® Water Softener in your home? Contact us. We’ll be happy to answer all of your questions and even conduct a free water test.
