Water Softener Regeneration – What You Need to Know

Water softener Provo

Why do water softeners need to regenerate? What happens during the regeneration process? And how often should it take place?

When you have questions about softening systems, Kinetico is your source for answers. Below, we explain the basics on regeneration, the two different types – scheduled and on-demand regeneration – and the benefits of investing in a Kinetico water softener.

Why Water Softeners Regenerate

Softening systems work by passing water through a bed of resin beads, removing calcium and magnesium ions and replacing them with sodium ions. With the mineral contaminants no longer present you have soft water.

Over time, the resin beads become saturated with minerals – and to continue softening, the system must regenerate. During the regeneration process, mineral ions are flushed out, refreshing the resin beads and restoring their ability to function.

Scheduled Softener Regeneration

Most softening systems regenerate at specific times. A microprocessor controls the process, but a treatment professional determines how frequently regeneration occurs. This is based upon household usage and water quality.

While scheduled regeneration can be effective, it has drawbacks. A softener may regenerate too early, when the resin beads aren’t fully saturated – and that’s wasteful. Or, the timed intervals may be too far apart to ensure a continual supply of soft water.

On-Demand Softener Regeneration

Kinetico water softening systems regenerate on demand. A meter tracks household usage, measuring the volume of water that flows through the softener. The resin beads are refreshed when necessary, in pace with the demand.

On-demand regeneration is more efficient than regenerating at timed intervals, and softeners that are designed to regenerate on an as-needed basis also use less salt and water. Also soft water is always available for use, even when the amount of water used increases.

Why Choose a Kinetico Water Softener?

Kinetico softening systems feature on-demand regeneration – but that’s far from the only reason our softeners are the ideal choice. Kinetico offers:

  • Non-electric operation
  • Low salt usage
  • Twin-tank design
  • Compact size

In addition, Kinetico water softeners are engineered to provide 20 to 30 years of trouble-free service, with very little maintenance. Additionally, our softening systems come with a comprehensive 10 year warranty – and our warranty coverage is among the best in the industry.

With Kinetico, you can be certain that you’re getting a high-quality softening system. Homeowners in Provo and the surrounding northern Utah area have been turning to us for decades, and we’re known for both affordable, innovative products and exceptional customer service.

To learn more about water softener regeneration, or to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation for installing a water softener, contact Kinetico today.

How a Reverse Osmosis System Will Benefit Your Family

Reverse Osmosis System

Have you thought about installing a reverse osmosis system?

When it comes to your family’s drinking water, you have your choice of a few different types of filtration systems. The best feature RO technology, purifying water by using pressure to push it through a semi-permeable membrane. To see what makes reverse osmosis the ideal water treatment solution, read on.

Safer and Cleaner Water Supply

One of the greatest advantages of installing a reverse osmosis system is knowing that your household has water that’s nearly free of impurities. The RO process can remove up to 99 percent of common contaminants, including arsenic, lead, nitrate, bacteria, viruses and particulates.

Great-Tasting Drinking Water

With an RO system removing unwanted contaminants from your water, every glass you drink will have a clear, refreshing taste. Water filtered through reverse osmosis is widely considered to be the best for drinking and cooking, and you’ll love having a virtually unlimited supply.

Savings that Quickly Add Up

You can say goodbye to bottled water after installing an RO system, and by doing so, you can save quite a bit of your hard-earned money. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on single-use bottles each year, you’ll be getting your drinking water for just a few pennies per gallon.

Reduced Environmental Impact

Plastic is recyclable, but did you know that roughly 70 percent of the water bottles we use end up in a landfill? Install an RO system, and you’ll be doing your part to benefit the environment – you won’t need to buy single-use bottles, and that means your family will produce less plastic waste.

Ready to Reap the Benefits of Reverse Osmosis?

If your home is in Salt Lake City or the surrounding area, Kinetico Utah is the water treatment company to call. Our innovative RO systems outperform others on the market in several ways, as they’re designed to:

  • Provide a constant flow, delivering water at about twice the speed as other filtration systems
  • Conserve water, using up to 93 percent less than filtration systems made by other manufacturers
  • Make maintenance easy, as you can change filters with a simple twist – and the indicator lets you know when it’s time for filter replacement

In addition, Kinetico RO systems are certified by the National Sanitation Foundation to remove more contaminants than any other system you can buy. Choose Kinetico, and you’ll feel confident in not only the quality of your family’s drinking water, but also in the quality of your filtration system. Ours are made to operate for up to twenty years, but for your peace of mind, we also provide an industry-leading warranty.

For more information on water filtration, or to schedule a free consultation to discuss the benefits of installing a reverse osmosis system with the Kinetico Utah team, contact us today.

Where Can a Water Softener Be Installed in Your Utah Home?

Utah water softener installation

You know that installing a water softener will solve your hard water problems. No more spotty dishes and soap scum, no more scale buildup on your faucets and fixtures, no more dingy clothes – all of these issues will disappear once your softening system is in place.

But, where should that place be?

The ideal location is one that has adequate space and access to plumbing and a drain. The spot must also meet any code restrictions and temperature requirements of the water treatment equipment. Below, the Kinetico team shares examples of where water softeners are commonly installed in northern Utah homes.

Basement

Most Utah homeowners choose to place their softening systems in the basement. There’s plenty of space to accommodate a water softener of any size, and installing it near the water heater keeps the treatment equipment centralized.

Crawl Space

Some Utah homes have crawl spaces that are suitable locations for a softening system, but the size of the area can limit the size of the softener installed. And for this location to work, the brine tank must be easily accessible for salt refills.

Garage

The garage can be a good spot for water softener installation in Utah homes that are without basements or crawl spaces. Attention to temperature control and additional plumbing work may be necessary, but garage spaces are typically rather convenient.

Utility Room

Owners of cabins and other Utah homes constructed on a slab sometimes opt to install softening systems in a utility room. The spaces are small and may require extra work to create a drain, but with creative problem solving, the location can absolutely work.

Consult with an Experienced Water Treatment Professional

Before you make any decisions about where to install your softening system, talk to the water treatment experts at Kinetico Utah. We can determine what size of softener your household needs, and that information will help you figure out the best location. In addition, our experienced team can explain your equipment options and offer advice on which softener you should install.

Kinetico is a trusted brand, a company that’s been at the forefront of the water treatment industry for several decades. Softening systems designed by Kinetico don’t require electricity, regenerate only when necessary and use much less salt than softeners from other manufacturers. Utah homeowners who install Kinetico systems enjoy 20 to 30 years of trouble-free operation – and Kinetico water softeners require very little maintenance.

If you live in Salt Lake City or the surrounding northern Utah area, we’d love to provide you with more information on our water treatment systems. For expert advice and answers to all of your questions about water softener installation, contact Kinetico Utah and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.

Buying a Home? Contact a Water Treatment Professional First

Soft water assessment in Utah

If you’ve found your dream Utah home, you’d be wise to arrange for an assessment from a water treatment professional before you finalize the purchase.

Sure, you may be scheduling a professional home inspection to get an accurate account of the property’s condition. The problem is, water quality testing and an analysis of any existing water treatment equipment may not be included. Getting that done is in your best interests, as the results will help you make informed decisions about your pending Utah home purchase.

Why Test Water Quality Before Buying a Home

A range of variables can have an impact on water quality – and you’ll want to know that the supply at your new home is safe.

Whether the property has a private well or uses the municipal supply, the water could contain contaminants, pollutants and bacteria. Hard water minerals may also be present. Due to the potential costs of dealing with quality issues, this is must-have information for any homebuyer – and an expert in water treatment can shed light on the situation.

Why You Need a Water Treatment Professional

If the home you plan on purchasing has treatment equipment in place, you’ll want to make sure it’s operating effectively. And if the owner didn’t install a purification or softening system, you’ll need to explore your options.

A water treatment professional can tell you everything you need to know, which could work to your advantage when negotiating with the home seller. You can request that they make system upgrades or install a new softener and purification system, if you like. Or, you could ask for a price reduction to allow you to cover the costs. Either way, you won’t face unexpected expenses related to water quality after you move into your dream home.

Installing Water Treatment Equipment at Your New Home

If you’re competing with other bidders, skipping professional inspections of any kind might make your offer more attractive to the home seller. In the event you end up getting the house, you’ll want to make water treatment a priority.

The good news? While installing treatment equipment like a water softener or reverse osmosis system is an upfront expense, it’s also a worthwhile investment. After installation, you’ll know that your household supply is the best it can be – and over time, the systems will more than pay for themselves.

For expert advice in Salt Lake City and the surrounding northern Utah area, homebuyers and homeowners turn to the professional team at Kinetico. We’d be happy to provide water quality testing at your dream home and inspect any treatment systems that are in place.

At Kinetico, we’re known for offering innovative, high-quality water softeners and purification systems at affordable prices. And, you won’t find another northern Utah company more dedicated to customer service. To schedule a consultation with an experienced water treatment professional, contact us today.

Why a Home Water Filtration System Beats Drinking Bottled Water

Drinking water filtration options in Utah

Is bottled water always on your grocery list? If so, you should consider installing a home filtration system.

Sure, you can get great-tasting drinking water either way it goes – but taste isn’t all that matters. Check out the following, and you’ll see why ditching the bottled water for a filtration system at your northern Utah home is in your best interests. 

Clean & Safe Drinking Water

Install a home filtration system, and every glass of water that your family gets from the tap will be free of impurities. You can count on having drinking water that is fresh, clean and safe.

As for the safety and purity of bottled water, that’s a mystery. Companies that produce it aren’t obligated to issue regular quality reports, so you aren’t going to know if the bottles you buy contain any contaminants. 

Household Convenience

Bottled water is undeniably convenient – stores everywhere sell it, and keeping a supply in the fridge makes it easy to grab a cold drink at any time.

How does a filtration system compare? Getting your drinking water straight from the tap is just as convenient as grabbing a bottle from the fridge. Beyond that, if you opt for home filtration, you’ll have plenty of safe water for use in cooking.

Investment Really Pays Off

Home filtration system installation does require an upfront investment. However, the project pays for itself in almost no time, as these systems produce safe, high-quality drinking water for just a few pennies per gallon. And, the best systems – like those from Kinetico – can provide trouble-free operation for decades.

Buying bottled drinking water is more of a burden than an investment. While each bottle might set you back only a buck or two, the cost of supplying your household each month can amount to hundreds of dollars. 

Eco-Friendly Solution

Think about how many plastic bottles you throw away every month. Most end up in landfills, where they can take up to 1,000 years to decompose. Add in the large amount of fossil fuels used in packaging and transporting, and it’s clear that bottled water has a high environmental cost.

Install a home drinking water filtration system, and you’ll reduce your carbon footprint. High-quality systems, like those made by Kinetico, are extremely efficient – and, of course, you’ll no longer be tossing countless plastic bottles in the trash every month.

Are you ready to explore your home filtration options? If you live in Salt Lake City or the greater northern Utah area, the professional team at Kinetico Utah is here to help.

Kinetico is known for developing innovative water treatment products of the highest quality, and we’re proud to have a reputation for both superior customer service and competitive pricing. Contact our office in Draper, Utah, and schedule a free consultation to discuss installing a home water filtration system today.

Why Choose a Non-Electric Water Softener?

Best water softeners for Utah

Water softeners remove calcium and magnesium, minerals that cause hard water. Most require electricity to accomplish this task but those made by Kinetico – are non-electric.

Both types of water softening systems work. However, mechanical or non-electric softeners have a few advantages over their electric counterparts. Here’s what you need to know to choose the right system for your Utah home.

Water Softener Regeneration

To appreciate the difference between electric and mechanical water softeners, you need to understand how the systems regenerate.

As water is used, it passes through a bed of resin beads, which attract and attach to the calcium and magnesium ions. This process is what makes the water soft – but it doesn’t continue indefinitely. When the resin beads become unable to remove any more minerals, they need to be refreshed.

Regeneration works to refresh the resin beads and restores their ability to make soft water. Both electric and non-electric water softeners require regeneration, but the process is controlled differently.

How Electric Water Softeners Work

With an electric softening system, a microprocessor controls the regeneration process. The resin beads are refreshed at timed intervals, with the timing based on data that a technician inputs at the time of installation.

Timed control isn’t ideal for a few reasons. The softener may regenerate before the resin beads have been fully exhausted, which is wasteful. Or, the beads may need to be regenerated before the scheduled time – in that case, the water that flows out of the softener remains hard. Also, the moist conditions can create problems for the electronic microprocessor, leading to the need for repairs and shortening the equipment lifespan.

How Non-Electric Water Softeners Work

Non-electric softeners don’t regenerate at timed intervals. The regeneration process occurs automatically, in pace with the household demand. A meter measures the volume of water flowing through the system and refreshes the resin beads on an as-needed basis.

With a mechanical softening system, you won’t have to worry about reprogramming the unit if your household usage changes. You’ll always have soft water, and your softener will require very little maintenance. Plus, compared to electric systems, non-electric softeners use much less salt and have a significantly longer lifespan.

Would you like to learn more? Homeowners in Salt Lake City and the greater northern Utah area turn to Kinetico for innovative, high-quality softening systems at an affordable price. We offer free, no-obligation consultations, and we’d be happy to recommend products that meet your needs. To meet with a member of the Kinetico Utah team and get more details on our non-electric water softeners, visit our website or reach out to our office in Draper today.

Hard Water and Soft Water – What’s the Difference?

Utah soft water systems

You could have hard or soft water in your home – and chances are, it’s the former. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, about 85 percent of the country has hard water, and in Utah, the percentage is certainly much higher.

If you’re not sure how hard and soft water differ, you’re not alone. Here, the Kinetico Utah team shares the answer and explains how to know what type of water is flowing through your taps.

Hard Water

When rain falls from the sky, it’s naturally soft. As it works its way through the earth and into our groundwater, it picks up minerals like magnesium and calcium – and this turns it from soft to hard water.

The higher the concentration of minerals, the higher the ranking on the hardness scale. And while hard water isn’t harmful to ingest, using it for showering can lead to dry skin and hair. It can also affect your faucets, fixtures, pipes and water-using appliances.

Soft Water

Soft water doesn’t have a high concentration of harsh minerals. As such, it’s gentler on your body. And, using it won’t result in issues with your plumbing or household appliances.

Most Utah homeowners aren’t lucky enough to have naturally soft water. Fortunately, hardness is easily dealt with – a water softening system works to remove the magnesium and calcium, thereby making the household supply soft.

What Type of Water Do You Have?

You can’t tell whether you have hard or soft water by looking at it. But, you can watch for the telltale signs of hardness. These include:

  • Cloudy spots or film on your dishes
  • Scale buildup on your faucets and fixtures
  • White or cream colored stains in the toilets and sinks
  • Dull, flat hair and dry, itchy skin
  • Clothes that feel rough or look dingy after a few washes

If you’ve noticed any of the above, checking with the professional team at Kinetico Utah is your next step. We’ll come out to your home, complete a customized analysis of your household supply and suggest treatment options to meet your needs.

When hardness is a problem, installing a softener is the solution. However, softening systems don’t remove impurities, pollutants or contaminants – and if you have any of those, installing a reverse osmosis system is the best way to get clean, safe and delicious drinking water. Many Utah homeowners choose to install both types of systems, and you may benefit by doing the same.

Kinetico is a trusted industry leader, known for manufacturing top-quality water softeners and reverse osmosis systems. And here at Kinetico Utah, we have a solid reputation as well as many loyal customers. To arrange for a free, no-obligation consultation and find out if you have hard or soft water, contact us online or give our office in Draper, Utah, a call today.

Reasons to Consider a Kinetico Drinking Water System

Kinetico Drinking Water System

If you’re looking for a drinking water system for your Utah home, you’ll find numerous options. But as with any type of product, certain brands and manufacturers are inherently better than others.

Kinetico is one of the most trusted and most popular brands for water treatment systems. When having the best drinking water system is the goal, turning to Kinetico Utah is the best plan – here’s why.

Exceptional Quality

Kinetico’s reverse osmosis system outperforms those made by other manufacturers. It not only removes more pollutants and contaminants, but also produces clear, great-tasting water that rivals the top bottled brands.

Constant Water Flow

Getting a drink takes almost no time at all with a Kinetico reverse osmosis system – the flow is fast, about twice the speed of other water treatment systems and remains constant.  Unlike other systems where the water flow slows until it’s eventually a dribble.

Easy Maintenance

When it’s time to replace the filters in a Kinetico drinking water station, you’ll know, as the patented indicator alerts you. Changing the filters is simple, too, a task you can easily handle on your own.

Long Service Life

Kinetico products are built to last. Their drinking water station also comes with an impressive 10-year warranty – which, if you also own a Kinetico water softener, includes the membrane. If you don’t, you may want to invest in one, as softening extends the lifespan of a reverse osmosis system.

Eco-Friendly Filtration

Investing in a Kinetico drinking water station means saying goodbye to bottles and excessive plastic waste. The filters are known to be environmentally sound, too, and the filtration process in a Kinetico system uses up to 93 percent less water to produce a single glass than other brands.

Affordable Products

Having a supply of clean, clear and delicious drinking water doesn’t have to break the bank. Kinetico specializes in developing cost-effective treatment solutions, and Utah homeowners who choose our products come to realize substantial savings.

Are you ready to learn more about what Kinetico has to offer?

An industry leading brand, Kinetico has been manufacturing innovative, high-quality water softeners and reverse osmosis systems since 1970. And Kinetico Utah, based in Draper, has a team of specialists who can test your household water supply and recommend products that meet your needs and your budget.

Countless people in the greater Salt Lake City area and throughout northern Utah rely on our reverse osmosis systems, and we’re proud to have many loyal customers and referral clients. For more information on our products and services – or to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and estimate for a Kinetico drinking water system — visit our website our give our office a call today.

Water Purification – Carbon Filtration vs. Reverse Osmosis

Is RO better than carbon filters?

If you’ve been looking into getting a water purification system for your home, you’ve no doubt noticed the two most popular technologies – carbon filtration and reverse osmosis (RO). And you wouldn’t be the first person to wonder about the differences between them.

Here at Kinetico Utah, we often get questions about the options for water purification. The following guide should provide some answers, but you can always reach out to our professional team for more information on carbon filtration and reverse osmosis systems.

Carbon Filtration

Carbon filtration is the older of the two technologies, and it works by running the water through a special carbon substrate. Contaminants and impurities become trapped inside the filter, which works to improve taste, reduce odor and can make the water safer for drinking.

With carbon filtration, the options run from inexpensive standalone systems and pitcher filters to high-end water filtration systems that also include reverse osmosis technology. Carbon filters have various particulate ratings, but most excel at removing larger particles and chlorine.

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis is an advanced method of water purification, and systems that feature this technology are capable of filtering out many potentially harmful particulates – much more so than any carbon filter system.

The RO process involves forcing water to flow through a semi-permeable membrane. Because the membrane’s pores are incredibly small, this action effectively removes a vast range of chemical and physical contaminants. High-quality purification systems, such as Kinetico’s K5 Drinking Water Station, are also customizable to eliminate specific impurities present in the household supply.

Which Type of Water Purification System Should You Choose?

Carbon filtration isn’t as powerful as reverse osmosis in terms of the level of purification the process provides. However, it’s worth noting that a premium carbon filter can be a better value than a bargain-basement RO system. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for.

As you explore your options for filtering or purifying the water in your Utah home, you’ll need to consider several factors. Space constraints could affect your decision on a type of system, and if you’re like most homeowners, price will also play a role. One of the most important considerations, however, is the exact contaminants present in your household supply – and testing is the only way to know what it contains.

At Kinetico Utah, we offer free, no-obligation water testing to homeowners in Salt Lake City and the surrounding northern Utah region. Schedule a consultation, and we’ll answer your questions about carbon filtration, reverse osmosis and what type of water purification system is right for you. Contact our office in Draper, Utah, today.

The Basics of Drinking Water Testing

Do you need water testing in Utah?

Does your drinking water come from the tap? It may look pretty clear, and the taste may be acceptable – which might lead you to assume that it’s safe for consumption. This could be true, but the only way to make sure of that is to get it tested.

What Does Drinking Water Testing Involve?

Do-it-yourself test kits are widely available, but their accuracy isn’t guaranteed. Experts recommend leaving the task to a professional instead – and if you get your water from a municipal source, they should provide an annual quality report. In addition, some water treatment specialists, including the Kinetico Utah team, offers professional testing.

Testing your household supply involves taking a sample and sending it out for analysis. The results will reveal impurities that are present, and you’ll see a breakdown of the specific contaminants in your water. Armed with that knowledge, you’ll be able to find a treatment system that makes what’s coming from your taps safe to drink.

How Can You Improve Your Water Quality?

If your household water supply contains harmful contaminants, a filtration system can remove them. Under-sink and faucet filters are available, some of which target pollutants common in Utah.

However, installing a reverse osmosis filtration system may be your best bet. High-quality RO systems can eliminate a vast array of impurities from your drinking water – your family will be safe from many biological, chemical and physical contaminants and from byproducts of the water disinfection process.

Why Worry About Testing When You Can Buy Bottled Water?

Bottled water is safe, and it isn’t hard to find. You could opt to keep a supply of bottles on-hand instead of installing a filtration system – but going that route could mean spending hundreds of dollars every year just to keep your family hydrated.

Reverse osmosis filtration system installation requires an upfront investment, but advanced models – like the K5 Drinking Water Station designed by Kinetico – can function for decades. Plus, because these systems produce safe, great-tasting water for pennies a gallon, they pay for themselves in a very short time.

What Is The Best Water Treatment Option For My Family? 

If you live in Salt Lake City or elsewhere in northern Utah, the Kinetico Utah team will explain your treatment options. At Kinetico Utah, we offer innovative, efficient and effective filtration, purification and softening systems – all of which are backed by an industry-leading warranty. To learn more, or to arrange for no-cost, no-obligation drinking water testing, contact our Draper, Utah, office today.