Water softener w/salt VS Saltfree Water softener

lofsfire

lofsfire

Active member
Any one have any experience with the Saltfree Water softener or [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Water Conditioning systems[/FONT]?

Can any one recommend a good one? My wife and I our buying a house and moving from great, Lake Michigan water to a large subdivision with its own community well field and treatment plant. But the water is Very Hard! Otherwise not to bad. I grew up in this subdivision as a kid never realized how the was was until moving 11 years ago to good water. Now some how my wife has talk me in to moving back.

I really think there has to be something better than the old salt softens out there. I would like it for the whole house not just one tap.
 
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snow_monkey

New member
I have a kinetico that cycles based on water use and not a timer. When a timer is used the softener will cycle and use salt when not needed. My water quality has been very good with this softener and I have had it over 15 years and has required service only once. These units are also twin tube so you are never without soft water. I purchased a model home unit that was never installed and saved a boatload of cash. I would have to be sold on the no salt models.
 
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whitedust

Well-known member
snow_monkey said:
I have a kinetico that cycles based on water use and not a timer. When a timer is used the softener will cycle and use salt when not needed. My water quality has been very good with this softener and I have had it over 15 years and has required service only once. These units are also twin tube so you are never without soft water. I purchased a model home unit that was never installed and saved a boatload of cash. I would have to be sold on the no salt models.
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X2 kinetico don't even look at anything else. Uses so little salt you might fill 1x per year for me usually middle of Nov each year then only half down uses cheap salt too. Kinetico softeners are bullet proof 1 service call in 20 years & part was under warranty. Twin tube system so never runout of softwater & no electricity as is a metered system & high quality water too no salt taste.
 
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Hoosier

Well-known member
I also have a kinetico. Also bought it out of a model home for a good discount. However, mine uses a lot of salt. I think it depends on how hard the water is that you are starting with.
 
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snow_monkey

New member
Consider installing an in-line pre-filter before the softener to prevent any large sediment from entering the system. This will also protect your water heater and other water consuming appliances. I change my pre-filter every other month in the summer due to high water use in the winter every 2 to 3 months.
 
lofsfire

lofsfire

Active member
Kinetico was one that I was looking at, b/c of it reputation. The only thing I could find on the different Saltfree Water softeners was sale pitches and thous are always good. Right!

As fare as the in-line pre-filter I have seen some that have more than on filter, are those really better? Does adding all the different filters change you water pressure at all?
 
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snow_monkey

New member
They offer a double pre-filter but I would pass. I originally thought more is better and ended up going back to a single. The filters range in filtering ability from 5 to 30 microns. I use one of the lower numbers just enough to keep the big stuff out and limits water restriction. Make sure the filter material is synthetic, cellulose,"paper" filters tend to get soggy, lose their shape and retain odors. Also stay away from the string like wound filters. I have been told that they plug up fast.
 
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frnash

Active member
Roughly how many coins did you Kinetico owners have to part with for the product & installation?
 
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whitedust

Well-known member
Use string filter & change 1x a year just because but is full of rust & sand water pressure is always good.....filter not a factor. I don't remember what I paid for Kinetico but they are not cheap but didn't matter to me I knew I was going to install a Kinetico & got 2 bids then asked for 20% off & got 12%.
 
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catalac

Active member
I didn't know about a softener that doesn't use salt. I have a Water Right system, and use 50# salt blocks. I put in 1 or two blocks every 3 weeks or so.
My mom has a Kinetico, and seem to like it.
Also, I pay about 4.60 a block, so don't know if that is good or bad.
Good luck with the new house, lofsfire.
 
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polarisrider1

New member
Okay??????? this may be a dumb question. Does the salt go into the water that is softened? or is it just a by product to re-charge the catylist tank or what ever that tank is next to the plastic salt barrel. Why I ask is that my mother used to put " iron out' over the salt in her softener to keep the toilet from turning orange when I was a kid. Iron out says all over the label to not injest. I guess my question is will I die early from this? lol.
 
lofsfire

lofsfire

Active member
Thanks for the replies. I have keep up with reading them, Just waiting and hoping someone with experiance with an Saltfree Water softener would have an opinion. We don't close till the end of the month and are taking are time moving it, so have some time before we need it. Don't have any major work just paint, excreta. Stuff that is just easier with an empty house.
 
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doomsman

New member
a friend had a salt free and when it came due to replace
he went with a kinetico, just by pass the drinking water at the kitchen sink, fridge and the outside sill cocks.
fuss around with the discs and you won't waste salt.
 
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whitedust

Well-known member
I would not mess with salt free when kinetico works so well. I never had any of my kineticos use much salt & the water was bad without it. Just no problems with kinetico so take the sure thing.
 
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