Q1. What are the key features to look for in a water softener? In other words, what features do you look for to judge the quality of the system? ...I have had excellent success with the a twin tank design. These give seamless treatment regardless of volume. They are highly salt and water efficient, which in CA is becoming an important issue. Kinetico invented the twin tank design. ...Because there are NO electrical components, there will be zero issues in service, maintenance, repair or replacement of electronics and electrical parts. ...Long warranties give an indication of reliability. Q2. Chlorine filter vs. carbon in the resin tank: mixing carbon in the resin tank to neutralize the chlorine seems illogical to me. Carbon loads up fast and must be changed frequently to be effective. I know this because I must change my pre-carbon filters at 4x's the frequency as my HEPA filters on my air purifier. Resin doesn't perform the same functions as carbon; ions simply cling to the resin surface; it takes years before its surface is rendered ineffective so it does not need to be changed frequently; I also understand it is very expensive to replace. My guess is if you replace the carbon, you will end up replacing the resin before you really need to; so it doesn't make economic sense to mix the two in the same tank. With the level of chlorine in our water, will a cartridge filter work? Or do I need something bigger? ...What is your chlorine level? I don't like mixing tanks with resins and carbon, in part, for the reasons you stated. A carbon cartridge or upflow tank ahead of the softener will perform well and be easier to to maintain. Q3. Drinking water filters: will a reverse osmosis filter system improve the taste of water AND remove the potassium, aluminum, boron, chromium, vanadium in our water? If so ... Yes, an RO will significantly reduce a very wide range of contaminants. The Kinetico K5 is certified to remove more contaminats than any other RO system available. Q4. What are the key features to look for a reverse osmosis filter system? In other words, what features do you look for to judge the quality of the system? ...A self-rinsing membrane will provide up to ten times the life of the membrane. A metering or monitoring system that indicates when to change filters. A water pressurized (rather than air charged) holding tank provides superior water pressure, volume and recovery. A pressure pump will also greatly enhance performance and water quality. ...There other features that incluse aesthetics (designer faucets), easy of filter changes, availability of filter elements, filter options to handle particular water quality problems, A looong warranty, ability to handle new fridge water flow issues, and how long the membane is expected to last. Q5. Salt vs. Potassium chloride: discharge of sodium into the citys sewer system is fast becoming an issue in our state; one city in the area banned the use of residential salt water softeners; all salt water softeners in that city must be removed by June 2009. ...I don't see a question here. Potassium chloride, is NOT recommended by some of the manufactures, such as Kinetico. Does anyone know why potassium chloride is not suitable for some softeners, but okay for use in others? What damage will result to the softener? What brands can potassium chloride be used in safely? ...Not sure why you say Kinetico doesn't recommnd KCl...? That is perfectly fine and salt dosage charts are there to provide settings. The cost of KCl is causing some problems with dealers who don't want to sell it anymore. There will be absolutely no damage to softeners using KCl. Q6. Is a sodium filter for water softeners available? ...I don't know of any sodium filter that will work and is cost effective. Are you talking about removing sodium from the discharges water (brine rinse)? An RO will remove it for drinking water purposes. Q7. Since there is no room in our garage for a water softener (downsized house came with a downsize garage), the logical solution is to replace the humongous water heater with a tankless one, then put a water softener where the water heater currently sits. So the question is can I place a cartridge chlorine filter next to the softener, or do I have to find a location some minimum distance "up stream" from the water softener? ...Kinetico makes a quad-tank system that removes chlorine before entering the resin beds or a cartridge can be installed anywhere ahead of the softener.

homerguy, Since you didn't include the model of Kinetico or it's volume of resin for each tank nor the 40k softener you quote I can't check your math but I'll offer the following... In order to make an accurate comparison you need to consider at what salt dose each softener is regenerating and what volume of resin is being regenerated?. For example, 1 cubit foot of resin will soften: 20,000 grains with 6 lbs of salt 24,000 grains with 8 lbs of salt 27,000 grains with 10 lbs of salt 30,000 grains with 15 lbs of salt Another consideration of efficiency is that a twin resin tank softener will regenerate very close to the complete exhaustion of the resin's hardness removal capability while a single resin tank softener will regenerate early and usually lose the calculated reserve that has been set aside which wastes salt and water and over time will add up. Twin resin tank softeners make brine with softened water AND regenerate with softened water while some single resin tank softeners make brine with softened water but none that I know regenerate with softened water. Regenerating with soft water = longer resin life and reduces operating cost long term... efficiency related if you consider service life and repair cost.

Living with well water is more comlpicated than living on a water system and requires some routine maintenance. I would accept the highest tested levels as average and use them. In general an ion exchange water softener will successfully treat about 3ppm of iron, no more. Kinetico does offer models that are designed to treat higher iron levels and, of course, they cost more. Kinetico has been around a long time and has an extensive dealer/service network and a large and loyal customer base. One rarely sees anyone posting about problems with their Kinetico softeners. Culligan has been around a long time also but are complained about more often on these forums. ECO has also been around a long time. ECO, Culligan, and Kinetico are all proprietary desihns and parts and service are only available from their respective dealers. If you have a good dealer that doesn't matter but if you have a bad dealer... with real estateit's location, location, location, and with water treatment its' DEALER, DEALER, DEALER. Ask lots of questions. Softening the entire house or just the water heater (bad idea)? Warranty, parts & labor or just parts, how long and on exactly what? Install, permits required, licensed plumber? Routine maintenance and costs? Do they stock parts? Response time for emergency (water leak) calls? If they don't explain things to your satisfaction that is a good indicator of how you'll be treated after the sale. Ask your neighbors if they have any water treatment experience. They might tell you who's good or who to avoid.

Thanks for the prompt response. The system was quoted by a local company in Scottsdale. Actually my neighboor is a contractor and this is the guy he uses (High Peaks Water Services). The warranty is 1 yr LABOR through High Peaks Water Services. His recommendation was based off of what I told him over the phone: just under 3000 square feet, 2 adults and two children, 4 bed, 3 bath. None of the companies I've contacted offered to come and test the water to determine the right system. I did not know about this until finding this site. Is this absolutley a must? Should I be weary of any company that does not offer this? Thanks again for your insight! Bill P.S. In regards to "starting a new thread" with this subject...I'm a little 'new' to this forum blog thing. I don't see an option on how to post a new thread on the site. Any help appreciated.