Water softener option in SF bay area

[ThomasT]

We have relatively hard water 17GPG from city ground water. A local Kinetico dealer gives us quote about $5,000 for the 4040 system without installation, and the installation by the dealer is necessary and the charge is about $600. That's really expensive. We recently remodeled our house and our contractor already did the softener plumbing hookup for us (1" OD). It should be quite straightforward to install it, and I think we can DIY. We also heard of the fleck system especially 5600 and 9100 available online. I wonder if those are good alternatives? Regardless of the service charge by the Kinetico dealer, will Kinetico 4040 be more cost-effective than others? (The amount of salt that used.) We have 2 adults and 3 young kids. Thank you!

 

[Ryan Symons]

Well.... kinetico is a proprietary system that requires proprietary parts and filters that can only be obtained thru a dealer at a high markup with inflated service charges. The 4040sod and any other "quad" type model is more problematic and expensive to maintain than their flagship k60 or newer 2060 (great systems btw). Unfortunately the cost of a kinetico far outweighs their value these days. A Fleck or Clack twin tank system is far more economical and do the same job just as efficiently.