You know that you need a new water softener, and you want to get a water softener that is going to last. You have looked into Kinetico water softeners, but does the high price of a Kinetico water softener make it better, and how long does a Kinetico water softener last?
On average, a Kinetico water softener will last 15-20 years with minimal maintenance.
Excessive water usage, iron or sediment in your water, or improper water pressure may reduce how long a Kinetico water softener will last.
A Kinetico water softener is a very delicate piece of machinery that may last a long time under ideal conditions, but there are circumstances that can affect how long it will last and how much maintenance will be required to make it last.
What Can Affect How Long A Kinetico Water Softener Will Last?
- The hardness of the water to be softened
- Iron in your water
- Amount of water used
- Sediment and debris in your water
- Chlorine in your water
The amount of hardness in the water to be treated:
Naturally, the more hardness in your water, the harder your Kinetico water softener will have to work.
Like any mechanical device that is composed primarily of plastic parts, the more a Kinetico water softener is used, the faster it will wear and affect how long the water softener will last.
Iron in your water:
A Kinetico water softener can remove dissolved iron from your water but in doing so, it can shorten the life of the water softener resin inside of the water softener.
Also, in order to remove dissolved iron from your water, a Kinetico water softener will have to regenerate more often which can affect how long it will last.
Amount of water used:
It is always important to get a properly sized water softener for the amount of water that will be used.
But since a Kinetico water softener will regenerate based solely on how on the amount of water that you use, even a small Kinetico water softener will provide you with soft water.
But a small Kinetico water softener that needs to regenerate more often will wear out faster and not last as long as a properly sized system.
Sediment and debris in your water:
Water from a well can contain sediment and debris that can get into a Kinetico water softener valve and cause the gears, impellers, and pistons to malfunction and wear quicker.
It is VERY important that you have a water-sediment prefilter before a Kinetico water softener to remove sediment and debris from your water which can affect how long a Kinetico water softener will last.
Chlorine in your water:
Chlorine will damage the water softener resin in a Kinetico water softener over time.
It is important to remove chlorine from your water before it reaches a Kinetico water softener to prolong how long the water softener resin will last.
Do Kinetico Water Softeners Last Longer Than Other Water Softeners?
A dual-tank Kinetico water softener will generally last about 15 to 20 years with minimal maintenance, potentially as long as a standard single tank water softener.
Having two tanks does not extend the life of the water softener resin in the water softener and having a non-electric control valve does not extend the life of the moving parts required for the control valve to function properly.
A Kinetico water softener uses water softener resin inside of its tanks to soften your water and they control their regeneration process with a valve that has moving parts that will wear out over time.
A dual-tank Kinetico water softener valve has many small moving parts that are not only moving during its regeneration process, but many of them are moving whenever water is being used in the home.
These delicate plastic parts that are moving whenever water is being used will wear over time and need to be replaced.
In some cases, I have found Kinetico water softeners as young as 5 years old that have needed complete valve rebuilds for $500 and up that have not gone through any excessive wear and tear.
This is not the norm, but like any mechanical device, one Kinetico water softener may not last as long as another even under ideal situations and similar water usage.
Many standard water softeners also meter water usage by using similar gears and impellers as a Kinetico water softener, but they are usually more stand-alone parts that are in a compartment independent from the rest of the control valve parts.
This often means that they are less likely to fail and if they do, they are often easier and less expensive to replace or repair.
Does Having Two Tanks Mean That A Kinetico Water Softener Will Last Twice As Long?
The two tanks of a Kinetico water softener are there to provide an uninterrupted supply of soft water even when the water softener regenerates.
When a Kinetico dual-tank water softener starts its regeneration cycle it switches from one resin tank to the other while it regenerates the resin in the tank that was previously in use. This allows the water coming from the water softener to be softened continuously.
This means that a Kinetico water softener may actually regenerate more often than a standard single tank water softener to regenerate the same amount of water softener resin.
Since a dual-tank Kinetico water softener normally takes considerably less time to regenerate, both a Kinetico and a standard water softener work just as hard, right!
Well, not exactly!
While most standard water softeners simply move a single-piston forward and backward to control the regeneration cycles, There are gears and impellers moving constantly inside of a Kinetico control valve during the regeneration process.
Although these impellers and gears normally move freely during the regeneration process, they do make contact with each other so they do wear down over time.
So even though most Kinetico water softeners alternate between two tanks of water softener resin to soften your water, they may have to operate more often to provide that softened water for you.
Does Kinetico Water Softener Resin Last Longer Than Other Water Softener Resin?
Although a Kinetico dual-tank water softener uses a fine mesh water softener resin to provide more resin surface area, it is made of polystyrene and divinylbenzene plastic that is very similar to standard water softener resin.
Because a standard water softener “Mixes-up” its water softener resin each time it regenerates, the resin is used more evenly.
A comparably sized Kinetico dual-tank water softener uses two smaller tanks that are completely filled to the top with water softener resin that does not get “Mixed-up” during regeneration to ensure even usage of the resin.
Although most of the water softener resin in a dual-tank Kinetico water softener gets regenerated regularly, some of the resin may not get regenerated as often as the rest which may affect how long it will last before needing to be replaced.
Do Kinetico Control Valves Last Longer Than Other Water Softener Valves?
Both a conventional electric single tank water softener and a dual-tank Kinetico water softener have several working parts that will need replacement or repair at some point.
While a Kinetico control valve works primarily with gears and impellers and most electric water softeners use some gears to move a central control piston, water usage and water characteristics can greatly affect how long either control valve will last.
Under ideal conditions, I have not found Kinetico water softener valves to last any longer than a traditional electric water softener valve.
Does The High Price Of Kinetico Water Softeners Mean That They Last Longer?
I have NEVER found that the price of a water softener has anything to do with how long the water softener will last.
Many inexpensive electric water softeners have a simple design with minimal moving parts which can result in a water softener that will last a long time.
A dual-tank Kinetico water softener has a complicated control valve that could need a complete or partial rebuild for $300 dollars or more and I have seen some Kinetico water softeners that have needed some level of a rebuild at only 5 years old.
Just because a Kinetico water softener has a much higher price tag than a basic water softener does by no means mean that it will last longer or require less repair than a simple electric water softener.
In most cases, I have found that the price of a water softener correlates more with the bells and whistles that the water softener has and very little to how long the water softener will last.
Do Kinetico Water Softeners Have Less Moving Parts To Wear Out?
Quite the contrary!
Although a Kinetico dual-tank control valve is a very fine-tuned mechanical device, it actually has many more moving parts in it than a traditional electric water softener.
A Kinetico dual-tank control valve has many gears, pistons, impellers, pawls, levers, and screens inside of them, all of which have to operate correctly for the water softener to work.
Most traditional water softeners have only a few moving parts, a drive motor, a few gears, one impeller to meter water usage, and a central piston.
I am not saying that a Kinetico water softener is likely to have problems because it has many moving parts, but if you believe in the phrase “Simple Is Better”, an electric water softener is certainly simpler.
Do Kinetico Water Softeners Need Fewer Repairs Than Other Water Softeners?
Under ideal conditions where a Kinetico water softener is only treating a typical amount of hardness in your water and the water usage in the home is moderate, a Kinetico should need no more repair than a traditional electric water softener.
Because a Kinetico water softener control valve is an intricate and delicate mechanism, they may require more repair over their lifetime if they need to regenerate very often to properly treat your water.
Like any mechanical device, the harder you work the moving parts, the sooner that they will need to be replaced.
An electric water softener that uses a central piston valve may need to have the piston and the seal surrounding the piston replaced once or twice during its lifetime.
A Kinetico water softener valve may also need to have the internal parts of the valve replaced in the same way as an electric water softener, but I have found that any time you rebuild a Kinetico or electric water softener valve, the repair generally does not last as long as the original parts.
So if your Kinetico water softener needs to have its control valve rebuilt after 5 years or so, you may find that it will need to be rebuilt again in another 5 years or so.
This is not exclusive to Kinetico water softener valves!
I have had to rebuild valves on other brands of water softeners every few years as well if they are regenerating very often due to the characteristics of the water being treated.
How Much Does A Kinetico Water Softener Cost To Repair Over Its Lifetime?
There is no way to accurately predict how much any water softener will cost to repair during its lifetime but if your Kinetico water softener does need repair, it will likely set you back several hundred dollars even on the low end.
Because Kinetico authorized dealers are the only properly equipped service providers to perform repairs on a Kinetico water softener, they are able to charge any amount that they wish to repair your Kinetico water softener.
I have seen Kinetico water softeners that needed $600 or even $800 repairs at only 5 years old, it really depends on how often the water softener needs to regenerate and the characteristics of the water being treated.
Many electric water softeners may need basic servicing to replace or clean injectors or screens every few years for around $200, but will not likely need any substantial repairs for many years.
How Soon Will A Kinetico Water Softener Need Repairs?
Some Kinetico water softeners go many years before needing any substantial repairs, but this also is true of traditional electric water softeners.
I have seen Kinetico water softeners that were 15 years old that have not needed any repair since they were installed.
But on the other hand, I have come across Kinetico water softeners that have needed repair in less than a year.
- Fortunately, Kinetico is very good at honoring its warranty on its water softeners so the parts may not cost you anything.
- Unfortunately, the “Authorized” Kinetico dealer that you will have to call to do the repairs will likely charge you a pretty penny to perform the repair for you as the parts may be covered by the Kinetico warranty but in many cases, the labor is not.
How Can I Make My Kinetico Water Softener Last Longer?
The most important thing that you can do to help your Kinetico water softener last longer is to make sure that you never let it run out of salt, change the water-sediment prefilter often (if you have one), and have it serviced by a Kinetico service technician every few years to make sure that it is operating correctly.
If you let your Kinetico water softener run out of salt, iron and hard minerals can build up on the water softener resin to the point where it will no longer be able to be regenerated properly.
Letting your Kinetico water softener run out of salt can also allow hard minerals and iron to build up inside of the control valve which can cause the parts to work improperly or even seize.
If you do not change the water pre-filter for your Kinetico water softener, non-dissolved iron and sediment can get into your Kinetico control valve causing extra wear and tear on the internal parts which can affect how long your Kinetico water softener will last.
Doing these two things will help your Kinetico water softener last longer but it is also a good idea to have your Kinetico water softener checked by a qualified Kinetico service technician every few years to ensure that it is regenerating as it should.
Over time, aspects of a Kinetico water softener may need to be adjusted to handle changes in your water.
A trained Kinetico service technician will be able to make adjustments to your Kinetico water softener to help it last as long as possible.
Does Regular Servicing Make A Kinetico Water Softener Last Longer?
Having your Kinetico water serviced by your local Kinetico authorized service technician does not ensure that your Kinetico will last longer.
First of all, there is very little that has to be serviced on a Kinetico water softener.
Second, a Kinetico water softener is designed to not need regular servicing at all!
There are no parts to replace on a regular basis that will improve the performance of a Kinetico water softener and the water softener resin inside of a Kinetico water softener gets regenerated regularly without any need for servicing.
One thing that can greatly affect the performance of a Kinetico water softener is if any sediment or debris find their way into the control valve.
Because a Kinetico water softener control valve operates solely by the water flowing through it, even a tiny piece of grit or sediment can stop a gear or impeller from turning which means the valve will stop working.
To prevent this from happening, a water-sediment pre-filter should be installed before the Kinetico water softener if there’s any chance of any debris or sediment getting into the control valve.
This pre-filter cartridge should be changed or cleaned (depending on what type you use) regularly and often to prevent debris from working its way into the control valve where it could cause the valve to seize.
At What Point Does A Kinetico Water Softener Need To Be Replaced?
Just like any mechanical device, there will be a point where it is just no longer worth repairing a Kinetico water softener.
If your Kinetico water softener has lasted for 15 to 20 years, the plastic control valve and the plastic internal parts inside of the control valve will likely have become brittle and worn.
Replacing the entire control valve can cost more than purchasing a completely new water softener and the water softener resin may not be softening your water as efficiently as it once was.
Although, the exact amount of years that a Kinetico water softener will last without needing replacement is impossible to predict, once it has reached the 15 to 20 year age you should consider getting a new water softener.
A Kinetico water softener can last for many years with minimal maintenance or repair. But just like any product, your Kinetico water softener may require some repairs during its lifetime.
Purchasing a premium-priced Kinetico water softener does not mean that it will last longer than a traditional electric water softener and you should not expect a Kinetico water softener to last any longer than any other quality water softener.
Paul thank you so much for this! As a single female I feel overwhelmed by the choices out there. This helps greatly.
Hello Bonnie and thank you for the comment.
I started this site to help people with their water questions and it is always nice to hear that it is helpful.
Thanks again!
Paul