Water softeners

[IndyMichael]

Never had one before, but spent most of our tax refund getting a new washer, dryer, hot water heater, fridge with water and ice in the door and dishwasher, so we're going to get a water softener. Is Kinetico worth what it costs? Seems to be a lot or a little bit more, depending on what other water softeners we look at. If you have a kinetico water softener, do you like it and would you buy it again?

[MoparsRule]

The only thing I know is do NOT buy a Culligan - we've had a lot of problems with ours.

Luckily I have befriended the tech they sent out the first 3 times & now I just call him directly & via cellphone he walks me through what I need to do when it locks up.

[lutesk]

I hate ours. I've been thinking about looking at those "Easy Water" things but haven't gotten around to it yet.

[flyingpylon]

I can't say that I know much about water softeners other than that some of the salespeople in the business come off worse than used car salesmen. That said, I have a softener by Aqua Systems and I have been happy with it. They seem to have a good reputation around Indy (or at least they did back when I bought it).

[diftw]

I hate ours. I've been thinking about looking at those "Easy Water" things but haven't gotten around to it yet.

The Easy Water system looks interesting. Not having to lug salt is a plus. Only problem for our situation here is we are on a well and need the iron removal option which Easy Water can not address. If I lived in the city, I would be tempted.

[DSanchez]

sears sells nice models. If you can install it yourself. They are worth it, the first shower you take after you install it will have a noticeable difference.

[fivehundred2go]

LADD watersoftening has done fine by me.

[SamC]

My late father was a school teacher and he sold water softeners on the side to make ends meet. He was an honest guy. Most water softener salespeople are not and, as an above poster said, are often in the "used car salesman" mode.

Also water softeners and conditioners are not one size fits all. Where in the country you are and how you obtain water is very important. If a salesman has a one size fits all model, walk away.

Have your water tested. And not by a salesman. You can buy the kits to do it yourself if you know enough science at either the #20 car or the #48 car outlets. Or, in most states, your land grant institution's cooperative extension service or local health department will do it for free or at a subsidized cost. If you are on a public water supply that is properly managed, you should not need a water softener in many parts of the country.

If you get one, continue to test the water. For two reasons. The things can quit working and you will never know. And, if you live in the part of the country where a salt based system is appropriate, salt can leach out of a defective system in amounts that you really cannot taste, but which are bad for your health.

[midtown]

When I was living in NW Wisconsin, I had well water. Used a whole house filter to get most of the sand out then a Morton System Saver water softener that I installed myself. I concur about the Culligan man being on par with a used car salesman. He tried to convince me that there was sulfur in my water that would need more treatment and that I should rent a system from him (big $$$$, IMO). He pointed out that the Morton unit that I was then considering only had a three year warranty or something like that. I told him that the money I'd save would more than pay for a new unit compared to a Culligan. If your handy with plumbing, you can install them yourself in a few hours. Just make sure you run by-pass valves so if you do service the softener, you don't cut off the house.

[Roadrage]

I got mine at a discounted closeout price at Sears back in '03. They were making room for newer models. Wouldn't live without it, so far so good. And Indianapolis water is harder than Chinese arithmetic.

Now their dehumidifiers on the other hand, a different story altogether. My 3 year old Kenmore dehumidifier is suddenly relegated to a boat anchor, as the compressor just gave up. I'm in the market for a replacement. :mad:

[dog-ring]

The Easy Water system looks interesting. Not having to lug salt is a plus. Only problem for our situation here is we are on a well and need the iron removal option which Easy Water can not address. If I lived in the city, I would be tempted.

Easy Water is not a softner...............It's a water conditioner which is different. It will prevent scale but it won't soften the water...........I listen to the " Big Show" on WIBC every Saturday morning with Dr. Dirt, Pat Sullivan and Denny Smith and they take calls from listeners and they address this question at least once a week.................. It will supposedly help your waterheater last longer and your dishes and glassware be cleaner and not have water spots on them or that dreaded film but it won't soften the water. Pat Sullivan has both now and is going to give updates on the Easy Water device..............