It should be noted that Clack Corporation does not build complete water softeners, they build these fantastic valves that are used by water treatment professionals like myself for iron & sulphur filters, countless back washable type filters and of course water softeners, like this one. These valves are used in nume. From countless online reviews, you’re able to see that Clack water softeners are rated as some of the most efficient. This is due to the superior control valve technology on which they built their initial reputation.
Kinetico set out with the mission to create a water softener that would offer better performance and efficiency than any of those currently on the market. The company achieved this when it invented its first twin-tank, demand-operated water softener system. In fact, it was Kinetico that introduced the technology that made it possible to soften water without the use of electricity. This had an impact on the entire water softening industry.
Today, Kinetico is one of the most popular brands for water softeners worldwide. It is also one of the highest-quality brands — all its systems are certified by the Water Quality Association (WQA) and the National Sanitary Foundation (NSF).
These independent organizations are two of the most important when it comes to assessing the safety and quality of water-related consumer products.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Kinetico Water Filters Review Chart
| Kinetico Series | Price | Tanks |
|---|---|---|
| Kinetico | $$$ | 2 |
| Premiere | $$$$ | 2 |
| Signature | $$$ | 2 |
| Essential | $$ | 1 |
| Powerline | $ | 1 |
Engineers Jim Kewley and Bill Prior founded Kinetico in the 1970s in Newbury, Ohio.
The company also sells water filtration and reverse osmosis systems for residential and commercial use, but it is best known for its water softeners.
In fact, the name “Kinetico” comes from the process the brand uses to soften water: using the kinetic energy of flowing water rather than electricity.
Who Makes Kinetico Water Softeners?
Kinetico became a subsidiary of Axel Johnson Inc. in April 2006. However, the division of Kinetico water softeners remains based in Newbury.
Kinetico’s Reputation
Customers report that Kinetico technicians are extremely knowledgeable and well-trained, not least for the effort they put into assessing water and testing grain levels. This has given the brand an excellent reputation.
How Does a Kinetico Water Softener Work?
Water softeners from Kinetico are true softeners — there is no Kinetico water conditioning system. This means the softeners remove magnesium and calcium from your water rather than just changing the structure of these minerals (which is what a water conditioner does).
The softeners achieve this through an ion exchange: they exchange the calcium and magnesium ions in the water for the sodium ions in salt.
Types of Kinetico Water Softeners
Kinetico has several lines of water softeners. It would be wrong to say that any one of these is the best. Rather, each line has something distinct to offer that appeals to different homeowners. Having said that, five of the series are the most popular among consumers.
These are the Kinetico series, the Premier series, the Signature series, the Essential series, and the Powerline series.
Kinetico Series
Softener systems in the Kinetico series have all the classic features of a Kinetico water softener, such as twin tanks and the use of water flow rather than electricity.
A highlight of the Kinetico series, though, is the on-demand regeneration.
Kinetico Premier Series
One of the top-range lines of softeners from Kinetico, the Premier series uses a fine mesh of resin rather than the typical resin beads. This means that the systems can modify to adjust to a higher flow of water, which leads to greater efficiency.
Kinetico markets the Premier series to homeowners with higher water needs than average and with large pipes. However, experts say that there is no significant difference between the Premier series and the Kinetico series in terms of efficiency.
Signature Series
Water softeners in the Kinetico Signature series cost less than some of the others — even though they still have twin tanks.
They also feature on-demand regeneration to minimize their use of both water and salt.
Kinetico Essential Series
The newest of the Kinetico water softener lines is the Essential series. It is much like the Signature series, but it is slightly more environmentally friendly due to the use of rapid regeneration. The same feature prevents downtime from regeneration, meaning that (even though the softener systems only have a single tank) you’ll almost always have soft water.
Powerline Series
The only Kinetico water softeners that use electricity are those in the Powerline series. They also have just a single tank. These two characteristics make the Powerline softeners less expensive — they’re ideal if you want the quality of Kinetico system without the high cost. Plus, even the Powerline series has more to offer than traditional water softeners: it has an integrated iron filter to remove iron deposits from your water.
What Makes Kinetico Unique?
The most important distinguishing feature of Kinetico water softeners is the fact that the majority run without electricity. However, some additional characteristics also help Kinetico softeners stand out as unique from other models on the market.
For instance, many homeowners who would like soft water are unable to find a softener that works with the type of water they have. Most Kinetico water softeners work even with problem water — i.e. water that contains more than one contaminant.
In addition, Kinetico water softeners clean themselves using soft water. Almost all models from other brands use hard water, which can lead to limescale buildup on the softener. The fact that Kinetico uses soft water leads to a longer lifespan for the softeners.
Finally, Kinetico uses countercurrent regeneration, which means it regenerates from the bottom rather than the top (they are down-flow rather than up-flow systems). This is more efficient than the up-flow systems that make the majority of the market.
Main Features & Benefits
Beyond the above, Kinetico water softeners have some additional features that bring homeowners yet more benefits.
- Lack of electricity — The Kinetico water softeners that don’t use electricity are less expensive to run and maintain. There’s also no risk of electrical components burning out and needing replacement.
- Twin tanks — Systems with two tanks are able to provide you with soft water at every hour of the day and night. There is never any downtime when the system is regenerating.
- High hardness rating — All Kinetico water softeners have a high hardness rating. Some can soften water containing as much as 225 grains.
- Metered regeneration — The system uses a meter to determine when it is ideal to regenerate, which prevents wasted water.
Kinetico Water Softener Reviews from Customers
Knowing what Kinetico water softeners have to offer is useful; it is even better to know what customers who have installed a system in their house think of the brand.
Customers do have some Kinetico water softener complaints. Some of the most common include the following.
The Iron Filter Doesn’t Work Well
The idea of having an iron filter on your water softener sounds great, but some customers have found that the integrated filter doesn’t work well. A common complaint is that water still tastes and smells of iron. Customers who call Kinetico to complain report being told to purchase a different filter.
To avoid such problems, it may be best to buy a Kinetico softener system without an iron filter at all. If you need to remove iron from your water, a different type of filtration system could be better.
Clack Ws1 Water Softener Reviews
Water Has a Salty Taste
Kinetico water softeners use an ion exchange, which means the level of sodium in your water will increase. However, you shouldn’t notice much change in taste. With some of the older Kinetico models, though, customers were complaining that too much salt was leaving the tank, impacting the taste of the water. Kinetico seems to now have resolved this problem.
Kinetico Representatives Use Overly Technical Language
Customers are concerned that they may not be purchasing the right water softener because Kinetico representatives explain functions and features using technical language. In particular, customers worry that they may be buying more than they need.
Issues with the Reverse Osmosis Features
Water softeners can come with some reverse osmosis features. Customers have reported issues with the filter membrane and with the quality of ice produced by the ice makers.
Kinetico Water Softener Installation and Maintenance
Like with replacement parts, Kinetico does not sell or list prices on its website. Instead, to find out how much a Kinetico water system costs, you’ll need to fill out a form to receive a free quote. This will put you in touch with an expert in your area who will visit your home and assess your needs.
What we do know is that Kinetico water softeners cost a minimum of a couple hundred dollars and up to a few thousand. The exact price will depend on your home, its water flow, and what type of system you choose.
Are Kinetico Water Softeners Worth the Money?
Why is Kinetico so expensive? Simply because of its quality. Few other brands offer such effective water softeners with such a long lifespan.
Although more people have bought a Culligan water softener, Kinetico has a far better reputation. In fact, Culligan tends to receive low ratings from customers. This could be because all Culligan water softeners must go offline while they regenerate, because Culligan produces down-flow rather than up-flow systems, or because Culligan systems have a shorter lifespan.
Kinetico is recommended over Culligan but compared to other water softeners we highly recommend checking out Aquasana or Pelican because those brands are the top in the industry. Aquasana also has excellent customer service and you can order your product online.
Should You Buy a Kinetico Water Softener?
In review, Kinetico is a good water softener brand but they do require you to contact them to get a quote online and there are also other higher quality brands on the market that offer superior products such as Aquasana, Pelican, or Flack.
We recommend checking out our main water softener review and learning more about other top water softening systems.
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Regulate all cycles of a water softener or fi lter. When the WS1 or the WS1.25 control valve is manufactured as a softener, WS1 & WS1.25 Downfl ow Softener WS1 & WS1.25 Upfl ow Softener Press the or buttons to review each error recorded. Press the NEXT button to exit Valve History.
Front cover of the Clack WS1 control valve. Review this card for basic programming steps. Please Clack WS1 Water Softener Installation Guide
Front cover of the Clack WS1 control valve. Review this card for basic programming steps. Please Page 9 Clack WS1 Water Softener Installation Guide 02/2/2010
Now position your water softener unit in place for final water line installation, Push tube into side of Clack WS1 or 1.25 Microsoft Word – Installation_Guide_for_Clack_Water_Softener_rev.doc Author:
The water softener should be installed with the inlet, outlet, and drain connections made in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, and to meet applicable plumbing codes. 1. Turn the manual regeneraton knob slowly in a clockwise
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water softener. The following installation instructions are for use with the water softener system you now own. Discount Water Softeners assumes no responsibility for improper installation or injury. Clack WS1 Install instructions Author:
If the control valve is used as a softener or a regenerating filter, on the control valve. Water flows through the control valve during normal operation and this position also allows the Clack and return the WS1 Valve freight prepaid.
All cycles of a downfl ow regeneration water softener or fi lter. one for a regenerative fi lter, and three programs for backwash only fi lters. When the control valve is used as a: 1. softener, WS1TC & WS1.25 TC Manual Control Valve Function and Cycles of Operation • Page 2
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Clack Water Softener Valve Reviews
The water softener should be installed with the inlet, outlet, and drain connections made in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, and to meet applicable plumbing codes. 1. Turn the manual regeneraton knob slowly in a clockwise