Whole House Water Softener filters
 

Does anyone know if there is a generic filter for a Kinetico whole house water system?

The Kinetico filters are really expensive!

I have seen several sizes of filters at Lowes, I would take the existing filter(s) and carefully measure these to see if they are 'standard' size, your other option would be to check online for suitable replacements. You will also need the details of the filter, what type, and the particle size, etc.

When I was looking into water filter systems for my new house I looked into the Kinetico system. They appear to have a nice system but their filters are very expensive and seem to have a proprietary connection and I couldn't find any cheaper generic options. The cheapest replacement filters I found were on eBay but still not cheap. I ended up going with Nova as I can replace them myself for $90.

Check out the web site FiltersFast.com, they have just about all types of filters at very reasonable prices.

That's what I am finding out. They are crazy expensive!! Unfortunately, the system is pretty new.
I will follow the VillageTinker's advice and hope there is something that I can substitute.

I don't have a whole house water filter or softener, but I save a lot of money buying generic refrigerator filters from Amazon. Those Whirlpool Filter 1 filters now cost over $60. I buy mine for less than a third of that price. After more than 8 years on the market, Whirlpool has finally allowed Home Depot to sell their own brand of filters for the side-by-side model, but even the Home Depot brand is too expensive for me.

Can someone explain the need for a softener or filter? My wife and I will move into our first TV home in Well Point in March. I want to install an RO system for the refrigerator. I wanted to include an RO tap at the island sink too, which would require a separate, under-sink unit. I know that the filters and membranes can be expensive, but using these for drinking water and ice only means far fewer gallons running through the system than a whole-house filter. Water hardness is another issue, of course.

I have lived in a lot of different places and I have never had a water softener or filter. In my opinion, the water in The Villages is slightly hard, but better than most places I have lived. (Note: If you want to experience hard water, go to Saudi Arabia). I don't see the need for a filter or softener, but it is a personal choice. These systems are heavily marketed in The Villages, but I don't need one.

We came from Michigan where supposedly outside of Flint has some of the best drinking water. We were surprised at the chlorine smell that was coming from the tap water so we got the Nova whole house system and that eliminated that issue.

I didn't think the water was very hard but after a year we noticed a lot of scale built up on the faucets and shower heads. Also water spots on sinks, faucets and everywhere water would splash. I never did a test but I suspect lime and calcium. After we got the water softener that issue was eliminated as well.

As soon as we moved in my wife started buying bottled water (due to the high chlorine taste) and then had complaints about showering and the hard water. I installed a water softener and whole house filter, cost in 2013 around $700. We have great water, no need for any other filters (refrigerator, etc.), we use very little soap, and there is no buildup on any of the plumbing.

having lived here for a few decades... I can say this, you really don't need either BUT depending on location in this state, having neither will cost you in shower heads, faucets, etc as these things will eventually clog up with crap. In some areas that's every 2 years, some not. For here I can't really say because this house came with a filter and softener. Which I suspect the filter needs replacing as we all are itching like crazy for the last couple months.

I don't have any filter or water softener system. In 8 years, I have never replaced a faucet or shower head. The original ones all work fine. The only items I have replaced are the disposal and the expansion tank.

Thank you to everyone for sharing their experiences. I did reach out to The Villages water department for the water quality report for our soon-to-be new neighborhood. The water hardness was reported to be 149mg/l. This reading is considered to be “moderately hard.” Now I get to research water softener systems. Oh boy!

I see Amazon has that type of filter

Whole House Water Filters | Softeners | reverse osmosis | Nova Filters

No hard sales and a great system. We've had this system in 2 houses here.

We just had the plumber in for our 12-month repairs and he replaced the shower water control in one of our bathrooms. It had developed a drip a couple of months back. When I looked at the shower head, it has a buildup in the crevices on its face.

Plumber advised the leak and build up were due to hard water.

Went to Ace Hardware and bought the home water test kit. That said we were fine. ($25 literally down the drain).

Guess it's time to have Nova come over to see what they have to say.

Thanks Village Tinker for the idea of checking out the filters at Lowes or Home Depot. I think we found a substitute filter that will work. It looks exactly the same, the size and hole diameter is a match. It went into the filter housing OK and tightened down securely. Guess we will just have to wait and see how it works now.

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Me too with the water qulity when moved to TV.
Water softener questions for anyone using a water softener.
1 The only drain in my garage where the water input is located is the drain for the AC, is that an approximate drain?
2. If so, it is too far from my water input. Any suggestions?
3. Any additional advice?
4. I appreciate your input & you are welcome to send a PM.

Your water here in the Villages will depend on which part of the Villages you live. And even then, the water quality will vary.

I highly recommend Nova. They will install a three stage water filter and advise you only to get a water softener if you feel the water is too hard for you. Here in the Villages our water is slightly hard and some people get a softener and some don't.

I also recommend calling Chuck. He can install these systems as well.
Chuck Grospitch
chuck.grospitch@gmail.com
440-823-4273

A three stage water filter will remove the chlorine, sediment and other chemicals from the water. Unless you are going to shower and bath with water from the refrigerator, this is a mandatory upgrade for your home. Why? besides bathing with untreated water, sediment will eventually have an impact on your hot water heater and piping in your home. The chlorine concentration which varies is not good for your skin. These systems are relatively cheap to install and well worth the money.

This info is from 11 years ago (rules may have changed)
1. Possibly, but you will be draining salty water to the outside and this will probably kill of any grass or plants in the area. I had a plumber install the unit and the drain, due to soil conditions I ended up with something similar to a buried French drain with a cap over the top and an air gap.
2. I cannot answer as the softener will typically have restrictions on the length of the drain and its configuration, most do NOT allow a dip in the line which will trap water.
3. Call your local building department and ask about the drain requirements.

she's correct. even washing your hair in untreated water is like having bad hair every day

Forgot to mention the Bad Hair Day LOL