The TwinTec water softener S3 has become an extremely popular water softener supplied throughout specific network of dealers in the UK competing heavily with the Kinetico 2020c water softener.
Both of these brands are non electric block salt water softeners, designed to give uninterrupted softened water 24 hours a day. The TwinTec water softener S3 is a newer concept of design, utilising both of its twin cylinders simultaneously to provide softened water, rather than the Kinetico older type of design that can only use half of the water softening system at any one time.
The TwinTec water softener S3 made in the UK, unlike the Kinetico water softeners which built in the USA. The TwinTec water softener S3, which is a non electric block salt water softener, is said to be one of the most advanced water softeners available. The TwinTec water softener S3 is typically sold through an exclusive dealer network, (similar to the Kinetico water softener).
There are many local dealers that are located over the Country. It is fair to say that these dealers will want to provide you with a TwinTec water softener as their preference to any other choice of water softeners.
Let us look at features and benefits published in the sales literature for the TwinTec S3 water softeners
The TwinTec water softener says that it the worlds smallest twin cylinder non-electric water softener. “Fits under the kitchen sink.”
(It’s not the only one, there are many more, an example is the Softnetic non electric water softener.)
Small and compact can be attractive, but sometimes it may be a compromise. Occasionally, with a smaller under sized water softener (any make of water softener) you may actually notice less water power (pressure) in your shower, especially if the equipment is cleaning itself or another member of your household is using water somewhere else. Pressure drop across these types of water softeners are just over 1 bar at 30 litres of water per minute. This is equivalent to say a modern shower running, hot and cold kitchen taps running water and perhaps the toilet cistern re-filling. This is suitable for the majority of homes but not all.
Small and compact is good as it will fit into awkward spaces that other softeners would not.
“For a continuous supply of softener water 24 hours a day”.
Do you actually need softened water 24 hours a day? Possibly.
In fairness the TwinTec water softener, twin cylinder, does do a pretty good job but it is feasible that they can let you down and occasionally give you hard water to your home.
Non Electric water softeners. What’s on the inside!
No time clocks. No computers. No worries.
The mention of time clocks and computers for some people is frightening.
Dealers will, to the most part, make an issue about these on other water softeners. Therefore, implying that the TwinTec water softener is better than any other water softener.
Correct, in some applications this may be the case, but not all, cases.
With any non electric water softener (including the Kinetico water softeners) the unit is preset in the factory to cover a range of water hardness values. The dealer will want to ensure that they are not called back when you get hard water, so they will generally be extra cautious to install a non electric set to cope with water hardness higher than you actually have. So the non electric water softener fitted is your home is actually over compensated for your true water hardness. (Electronically controlled water softeners have considerably easier fine tuning to suit the local water harness.)
Do not be worried about computers and water; water softeners have successfully been using them for well over 20 years. (And, you do not need to keep pressing buttons to set them.). Old fashioned time control water softeners dating back to the 1960′s 1970′s 1980′s and 1990′s on the other hand are not good if you are subject to many power cuts.
Non electric technology was pioneered back in the 1970′s, and has come a long way to now be a leading water softener technology of today.
This is the best part of this type of water softener. The accurate measurement of water usage is very important to any water softener, both non-electric and electrically operated water softeners. (The Kinetico non electric water softener however does have water metering issues. They have to have two different water softeners either a high efficiency unit or a high flow unit.) The vast majority of other water softeners are well engineered to ensure that their systems work very well.
The type of meter used in this softener is also used in some others. The displacement meter is superior to turbine meters which do not measure water accurately at low water flow rates. The displacement meter has the asset that it will react to both low and high water flow rates. The Kinetico water softener has to have two different flow measuring devices. Hence, the Kinetico 2020c HE, (high efficiency) and the 2020c HF, (high flow).
The unique brine valve fitted to the TwinTec water softeners is indeed unique. It is designed for these water softeners.
The TwinTec water softener, (as with the Kinetico system) leaves the factory preset with gearing for the in-built water meter and water hardness range. So fine tuning is desirable for different site conditions. You do need to know what you are doing when adjusting the brine valve. Most people will get frustrated if the installed water softener gives occasional hard water. (This could take days for you to get back to soft water.) Again, fine tuning, if actually carried out incorrectly, can lead to hard water. Therefore, the water softener is still set higher than it could be.
“The latest technology gives the finest granulometry of all”. Effectively this is jargon.
The TwinTec water softener is said to have, “the most efficient regeneration, which only uses 17 litres of water per regeneration only in 10 minutes”.
This initially sounds good.
Take an example, a TwinTec water softener selected for your home that has a water hardness of say 300 parts per million. Every 400 litres of water that is softened requires 17 litres of water to clean itself. You probably think that 17 litres of water is not a lot when it is mentioned that other water softeners can use 80 litres of water to clean.
Let’s look at some other comparisons
Kinetico 2020c HF: 370 litres of soft water specification suggest 18.9 litres of water to clean, this equates to over 5.1% (actual measured is 26 litres of water to clean, this equates to over 7%).
TwinTec water softener S3: 400 litres of soft water needs 17.3 litres of water to clean, this equates to over 4.3%
Ecowater ESM 11 + : equates to 2% (this is a single cylinder electronically self adjusting water softener)
TwinTec State that: “The performance of the TwinTec out performs any other twin cylinder water softener and is second to none!”
A fair statement when compared to say a Kinetico twin non electric water softener.
The TwinTec water softener is designed for all modern day installations. Not always the case larger homes, and those with high flow systems, typically benefit from different a specification water softener.
Let us consider that if your home is fitted with high flow plumbing system. For example, a Megaflo un-vented hot water system is a very popular pressurized hot water heating system. Megaflo say that the Megaflo eco can deliver up to 72 litres of hot water a minute.
The TwinTec water softener S3 does cope with this, but at higher flow rates performance can decline. At moderate flow rates fine, the higher the flow rate demand the greater the pressure drop across it. If you compare the Kinetico 2020c HE water softener which has a peak flow rate of 41 litres of water per minute the TwinTec has a further 24 litres of water per minute available.
The TwinTec water softener does claim that their water softeners is capable of providing flow rates over 55 litres per minute. At 55 litres per minute there will be a pressure loss of over 2.6 bar.
Most typical homes are fine. Larger homes do require larger water softeners.
How much do they cost to own?
A decent non electric water softener are going to be typically £1300 to £1700 including VAT, ancillaries and installation. It is wise to get a quotation, a reputable water softener supplier will be happy to visit your home and leave you a quotation to consider. You will then be able to compare with other quotes that you may have already collected.
The TwinTec water softener S3 will cost the average family of 4 people between £100 and £120 a year to run.
Running cost – Some simple and quick calculations for the TwinTec water softener S3:-
Water usage
- Annual water usage for 4 people at 140 litres of water per per person per day = 204,400 litres per year.
- For 300 mg/l water hardness the TwinTec S3 will provide 400 litres of water between self cleans, (regeneration cycles).
- So it therefore has to clean at least 511 times a year.
- Each clean will require 17 litres of water per cleaning cycle, hence 8,687 litres of water each year will be sent down the drain.
- Lets say that you are on a water meter, a typical cost per 1000 litres of water is £3. So you will spend over £26 a year on water, just for the water softener alone.
Now for the salt cost
- For each clean cycle using between 0.25 kg and 0.35 kg per clean, the annual usage is 127.75 kg a year (set at 0.25 kg) or over 178 kg per year (set at 0.35 kg).
- Salt blocks come in 8 kg packs, 2 x 4 kg per pack.
- 127 kg divided by 8 kg is just close to 16 packs a year. That means that you will have to load 1 packet of block salt every 3 and bit weeks.
- Harvey’s block salt vary in price, the official Harvey’s website currently sells 12 packets for £69.90. Close to 16 packs a year equates to £93.20 a year.
Some simple and quick calculations for the Kinetico 2020c HF:-
Water usage
- Annual water usage for 4 people at 140 litres of water per per person per day = 204,400 litres per year.
- For 300 mg/l water hardness the Kinetico 2020c HF will provide 370 litres of water between self cleans, (regeneration cycles). NB it is considered safer for this hardness to use a setting of 296 litres.
- So it therefore has to clean at least 550 times a year, or with the conservative choice at 296 litres per cycle 690 times a year, (almost twice a day!)
- Each clean will require 18.9 (claimed on literature, actual test results is 26 litres) litres of water per cleaning cycle, hence 10,395 litres (test show actual waste water is 17,940 litres of water each year will be sent down the drain).
- Let’s say that you are on a water meter, a typical cost per 1000 litres of water is £3. So you will spend, in reality, over £53 a year on water, just for the water softener alone.
(This clean cycle water usage for the Kinetico 2020c HF water softener is over 8.7% of the actual annual water usage.)
Now for the salt cost
- For each clean cycle using 0.3 kg per clean, the annual usage is 207 kg a year.
- Salt blocks come in 8 kg packs, 2 x 4 kg per pack.
- 207 kg divided by 8 kg is very close to 26 packs a year. That means that you will have to load 1 packet of block salt every 2 weeks.
- Kinetico website salt prices are currently £106.08 for 20 packs.
(The Kinetico 2020c HF will cost the family of 4 in an average water hardness area of 300 mg/l a total just over £190 a year to run. Lets assume that you own water softener for 10 years. The total running cost will be £1900, without allowing for any inflation.)
So how do you choose?
Pure Choice will be happy to discuss your requirements without any obligation on your part.
Pure Choice Quality Water treatment Systems is based in the West of England, covering Somerset, Devon, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. Including Bristol and Bath. It our preference to carry out a no obligation survey, during which we advise you the best water softener for your needs.
We are an independent water softener specialist supplier that has access to many different brands of water softeners. (The TwinTec water softener is not a label we carry in our range of water softeners, however the Softnetic non electric water softener is.)
Give us a call on 0800 068 1857 to find out more.
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