2020c WATER SOFTENER
Thank you for choosing Kinetico to improve the quality of your water. You will immediately begin to notice the numerous benefits of having quality water throughout your home and the benefits of having a Kinetico Water Softener. Since 1970 Kinetico Incorporated has designed and manufactured products to improve the quality of your water. Kinetico offers a complete line of quality water systems to solve your water problems. Pioneers in non-electric, demand operated water treatment, Kinetico continually sets the direction for the entire water quality industry. Our products are installed in hundreds of thousands of homes around the world. Once you enjoy the benefits of your Kinetico Mini Kinetic B Water Softener we are sure you will agree that Kinetico Water Softeners are the worlds finest. For more information about Kinetico - or freephone 0800 015 1380 Kinetico UK Ltd Bridge House, Park Gate Business Centre, Chandlers Way, Park Gate, Hampshire SO31 1FQ Contents User Manual 04 Use pure soap products 04 Use less soap and household cleaners 04 Reduce of eliminate the use of fabric softeners 04 Take special precautions with automatic dishwashers 05 Special care for plants and fish 05 Drinking water 05 How your water softener works 06 Non-electric, demand operated valve 07 Consumer friendly features 08 Easy open lid 08 Low-flow metering 08 Proper regeneration 08 Compact, attractive design 09 System status monitoring 09 Maintaining your water softener 10 Adding regenerant 10 Manual regeneration 11 Cold weather protection 12 12 Maintenance Tips - frequently asked questions 14 02 freephone 0800 0151 380 03
K5 Drinking water station USER MANUAL Now that your Kinetico 2020c is installed, you can enjoy the benefits of having soft water through your home. If you are not accustomed to soft water, here are some helpful tips so you can gain the full benefit from your system: Use pure soap products Most leading brands of laundry soaps, household cleaners and shampoos contain large amounts of detergent. The harsh chemicals in these detergents are necessary when using hard water but you can be reduce the amount you use or even eliminate them altogether with soft water. We recommend you to use pure soap products and clear liquid soaps without dyes or perfumes. If you continue to use your normal detergents, you should reduce the amount you use to suit your needs. Your Kinetico dealer can provide you with more information and recommend the correct detergent amounts. Use less soap and household cleaners When using soap or cleaners with soft water, start by cutting the amount of soap that you normally use in half. You may even find you can use as little as a quarter of the amount you were using before. Hardness minerals in water interfere with soaps cleaning ability. Once they are removed, soap can do its job better. although you will use less soap, you will get more suds and cleaner results. It s especially important to reduce the amount of washing detergent you use. Washing clothes in soft water not only means you will need less powder to get your clothes clean, but also that the powder you do use will rinse out completely. Washing in soft water makes your clothes look brighter and whiter and they will last longer too. After bathing in soft water, your skin should feel silky. The silky feeling is your smooth skin without soap curd or residue. When bathing in hard water, this soap residue is normally left behind. The soap curd that left a visible ring around your bathtub was also left on your skin. The same difference is applied when using shampoo also. Reduce or eliminate the use of fabric softeners Take special precautions with automatic dishwashers Soft water, when combined with caustic phosphates in some dishwasher detergents and very high temperatures in the dry cycle, can etch dishes and glassware. To prevent this from happening, use the no heat dry cycle on your dishwasher. Use the minimum amount of good quality, low phosphate dishwasher detergent needed to clean your dishes. This may be as little as 20% of the amount recommended by the appliance manufacturer or on the dishwasher soap box. Wash good china and crystal by hand. Special care for plants and fish Depending on your water hardness level, the amount of rainfall and how often you water your garden, you could use soft water for outside watering, but why waste your soft water? Water your garden, shrubs and outside plants from an outside hard water tap or put your Kinetico 2020c in by-pass before watering. See the By-Pass section on page 12 for instructions on how to do this. Many house plants can be watered with soft water although some can be very sensitive to the elevated level of sodium ions in soft water. You may prefer to water with hard water or from a Kinetico Drinking Water System. The accustomed to hard water may have trouble with an abrupt change to soft water. Make the transition gradually over a period of 7~14 days by combining hard and soft water until the tank contains 100% soft water. As soon as you start using soft water, you should notice your fish tank will stay cleaner for longer. Drinking water The process of softening water adds a small amount of sodium into the water. When a person is on a low sodium diet, all possible sources of sodium should be evaluated in relation to the limit set by your doctor. To enhance your drinking water, you may wish to consider using a Kinetico drinking water product, also available from your Kinetico dealer. Kinetico drinking water products will significantly improve the quality of your coffee, tea, cold drinks and water used for cooking and baking. Please contact your local Kinetico dealer for further information regarding our range of drinking water solutions. Fabrics washed in hard water retain soap curd or residue, making them crackle when removed from the dryer or stiff if air dried. Fabric softeners are necessary with hard water to keep your clothing soft. When using soft water, you can reduce the amount of fabric softener used in your laundry or even eliminate them all together. 04 05
ater contains calcium and magnesium. Your Kinetico 2020c contains ads which 2020c hold water sodium softener ions. When hard water passes through the beads inside the 2020c, Owner s the beads Manual attract and hold the calcium and magnesium ions in exchange for After this ion exchange process, the water leaving your Kinetico 2020c is soft (Fig. 1). e resin bed is loaded with calcium and magnesium ions, it must be cleansed (or ted) so that it can continue to soften water. The salt in your storage tank mixes with wash the resin beads. The brine solution loosens the hardness minerals which have built e resin beads; then the system backwashes and flushes the hardness minerals away. How your water softener works s is complete, the resin beads hold sodium ions. The system is again ready to exchange m ions for more calcium and magnesium ions. Hard water contains calcium and magnesium. Your Kinetico 2020c contains resin beads tico 2020c which hold regenerates sodium ions. with When soft hard water. water Since passes you through already the beads know inside what the the Kinetico difference with soft 2020c, water the beads can make attract throughout and hold the your calcium home, and magnesium it only makes ions sese in exchange that the for Kinetico sodium. After this ion exchange process, the water leaving your Kinetico 2020c is soft (Fig. 1). leans itself with soft water too. Your system uses only clean, soft water to make the salt in the Once salt storage the resin tank. bed is loaded with calcium and magnesium ions, it must be cleansed (or regenerated) so that it can continue to soften water. The salt in your storage tank mixes with water to wash the resin beads. The brine solution loosens the hardness minerals which have built up on the resin beads; then the system backwashes and flushes the hardness minerals away. Once this is complete, the resin beads hold sodium ions. The system is again ready to exchange the sodium ions for more calcium and magnesium ions. The Kinetico 2020c regenerates with soft water. Since you already know what the difference cleaning with soft water can make throughout your home, it only makes sese that the Kinetico 2020c cleans itself with soft water too. Your system uses only clean, soft water to make the salt solution in the salt storage tank. Fig. 1 Non-Electric, Demand Operated Valve More than 30 years if ingenuity are behind the valve that operates the Kinetico 2020c Water Softener. The valve uses the energy of moving water instead of electricity so there is nothing to plug in, no buttons to push and no timers to set. Because of this technology, the 2020c Water Softener is energy efficient and therefore, better for the environment. The Kinetico valve measures the amount of water that you use and determines when to initiate regeneration. Since it regenerates only on demand, it wont waste water or salt. NON-electric, Other systems must demand be programmed operated to regenerate valve at a preset time - normally during the night. So, if you use more soft water than usual, you may end up with hard water. More If than you 30 use years less if water ingenuity than are normal, behind you the will valve waste that operates salt and the water Kinetico due to 2020c unnecessary regenerations. Water Softener. Kinetico s The valve uses metering the energy system of moving allows water the instead 2020c of electricity Water so Softener there is to regenerate nothing only to plug when in, no it is buttons necessary to push to do and so no at timers any time to set. of Because the day. of The this twin technology, cylinders the (Fig. 2) in 2020c the Kinetico Water Softener system is ensure energy you efficient have and a continuous therefore, better supply for of the soft environment. water, even during regeneration. The Kinetico valve measures the amount of water that you use and determines when to initiate regeneration. Since it regenerates only on demand, it wont waste water or salt. When Other one systems cylinder must needs be to programmed regenerate, to the regenerate service automatically at a preset time switches - normally to the during other the cylinder. Twin night. softening So, if cylinders you use more also soft enable water the than system usual, to you clean may itself end with up clean, with hard soft water. If Most you use other water less softeners water than use normal, hard water you will to regenerate. waste salt and water due to unnecessary regenerations. Kinetico s metering system allows the 2020c Water Softener to regenerate only when it is The necessary resin used to in do the so kinetico at any time 2020c of the works day. extremely The twin cylinders well this (Fig. compact 2) in the system. Kinetico The system smaller size ensure creates you more have surface a continuous area, allowing supply for of soft more water, efficient even operation. during regeneration. When one cylinder needs to regenerate, the service automatically switches to the other cylinder. Twin softening cylinders also enable the system to clean itself with clean, soft water. Most other water softeners use hard water to regenerate. The resin used in the kinetico 2020c works extremely well in this compact system. The smaller size creates more surface area, allowing for more efficient operation. Fig. 2 Fig. 2 ION Exchange Resin Magnesium Calcium A B A B A B A B Sodium Cylinder A is standing by Cylinder A is softening Cylinder A is softening Cylinder A is regenerating Cylinder B is softening Cylinder B is regenerating Cylinder B is standing by Cylinder B is softening 7 8 06 freephone 0800 0151 380 07
2020c Water Softener 2020c Water Softener 2020c Water Softener consumer friendly features Your Kinetico 2020c is loaded with convenient features that make it as easy as possible for Consumer Friendly Consumer Features Friendly Features you to operate your system. r Kinetico 2020c is loaded Your Kinetico with convenient 2020c is loaded features with that convenient make it as features easy as possible that make for it you as easy as possible for you operate your system. to operate your system. Easy open lid y Open Lid Easy Open Lid Kinetico s hinged lid (Fig.3) means you will never have to fumble around trying to make the lid fit etico s on hinged the softener. lid Kinetico s (Fig.3) Simply means hinged hold the you lid handle will (Fig.3) never and means pull have the you to lid open fumble will to never gain around have access trying to to fumble the to salt around bay. Close trying to ke the the lid fit lid on by lifting the make softener. until the you lid Simply fit feel on it lock the hold softener. into the place. handle Simply If and your pull hold particular the lid handle installation open and to gain pull does the not lid permit open to gain ess to the use salt of bay. a access hinged Close to lid, the your lid salt by installation bay. lifting Close until kit the contains you lid feel by an it lifting lock alternative into until place. you connection feel If it your lock mechanism into place. If your ticular installation does particular not permit installation the use does of not a hinged permit lid, the your use installation of a hinged kit lid, contains your installation kit contains that permits you to lift the entire lid from the system for access to the salt bay (Fig. 4). alternative connection an alternative mechanism connection that permits mechanism you to that lift the permits entire you lid to from lift the entire lid from the tem for access to the system salt bay for (Fig. access 4) to the salt bay (Fig. 4) Low-flow metering -Flow Metering Low-Flow Metering r Kinetico Your system Kinetico Your is system equipped Kinetico is equipped system with the with is latest equipped the latest technology with technology the capable latest capable of technology measuring of measuring capable of measuring remely extremely low flow. As low extremely a flow. result, As low you a result, flow. can be As you sure a can result, that be your sure can system that be your sure is metering system that your is your metering system water is your metering water your water ge properly usage so properly it can usage regenerate so properly it can at regenerate the so it appropriate can regenerate the time appropriate at and the continue appropriate time to provide and time continue and you continue with to an provide to provide you you with an nterrupted with supply an uninterrupted of uninterrupted soft water. supply supply of of soft soft water. per Regeneration Proper Regeneration Proper regeneration e system manufacturers, Some system in an manufacturers, attempt to publish in an better attempt performance to publish numbers, better performance numbers, uce the amount of reduce water the used amount during of regeneration. water used during Unfortunately, regeneration. using less Unfortunately, water using less water reases Some the chance system increases that manufacturers, the the system chance in will an that attempt not the completely to system publish will rinse better not itself performance completely of the salt rinse numbers, itself reduce of the salt enerant the and amount you may regenerant of get water salty used and water you during through may regeneration. get your salty home. water Unfortunately, Your through Kinetico your system using home. less uses Your water just Kinetico increases system uses just ugh water the chance to rinse enough that any remaining the water system to regenerant will rinse not any completely from remaining its tanks regenerant rinse to itself prevent from of the salty its salt tanks water regenerant to from prevent and salty you water from ering your may plumbing get salty entering while water maintaining your through plumbing maximum your while home. system maintaining Your efficiency. Kinetico maximum system system uses efficiency. just enough water to rinse any remaining regenerant from its tanks to prevent salty water from entering your plumbing while maintaining maximum system efficiency. Compact, Attractive Design Compact, attractive design The Kinetico 2020c takes up less volume than any other comparable cabinet style water softener. Thats The Kinetico because 2020c the Kinetico takes up packs less volume a lot of than performance any other in comparable a small package. cabinet If style your water softener is installed softener. in That s an open because location, the you Kinetico wont packs be afraid a lot to of show performance off its sleek, in a modern small package. design. If your softener is installed in an open location, you wont be afraid to show off its sleek, System Status Monitoring modern design. If the location of your Kinetico 2020c permits viewing from the top, you can always check your system System status status of service monitoring and regeneration by looking through the viewing window on the top of the cabinet. Simply check the indicator dot (see fig. 9 on page 12) to see what mode of operation your system is in. Remember that even if the softener is regenerating, your Kinetico system can If the location of your Kinetico 2020c permits viewing from the top, you can always check still provide you with soft water since it has 2 softening cylinders. your system status of service and regeneration by looking through the viewing window on the top of the cabinet. Simply check the indicator dot (see fig. 9 on page 11) to see what mode of operation your system is in. Remember that even if the softener is regenerating, your Kinetico system can still provide you with soft water since it has 2 softening cylinders. Fig. 5 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 08 Fig. 3 Fig. 3Fig. 4 Fig. 4 freephone 0800 0151 380 09
2020c Water Softener Using Tablet and Pellet Salt maintaining Maintaining your water Your Water softener Softener Kinetico engineers every 2020c system to provide you with quality water without Kinetico engineers every 2020c system to provide you with quality water without requiring requiring extensive maintenance. Minor, routine maintenance extensive maintenance. Minor, routine maintenance 2020c is necessary Water is necessary Softener to keep your softener working properly. to keep your softener working properly. Should you have any questions or need any assistance, contact your Kinetico dealer. Should you have any questions or need any assistance, contact your Kinetico dealer. Adding regenerant Maintaining Your Water Softener Adding Regenerant Convenient Salt Options working Convenient properly. Salt Options For your convenience, your system was designed to accommodate various sizes of block Should For your have convenience, any questions or your need any system assistance, was contact designed your Kinetico to accommodate dealer. various sizes of (where available) and tablet/pellet salt. Use the optional salt bay extension to increase block (where available) and tablet/pellet salt. Use the optional salt bay extension to Adding increase the Regenerant salt the bays salt bays capacity capacity when when using using tablet/pellet tablet/pellet salt. salt. Depending Depending on on where where you you live, live, this this may may already be be installed in in your system. To To install the the extension, simply lift the salt Convenient platform Salt from Options from the the cabinet cabinet and and insert insert the side the side tabs tabs into the into corresponding the grooves grooves on the on the extension extension (fig. (fig. 5). To 5 use on the page block 9). salt To use again, the simply block remove salt again, the extension. For your convenience, your system was designed to accommodate various simply sizes remove of the extension. block (where available) and tablet/pellet salt. Use the optional salt bay extension to increase Using Salt the salt Blocks bays capacity when using tablet/pellet salt. Depending on where you live, this may Using already Salt be Blocks installed in your system. To install the extension, simply lift the salt platform Using from Using block the block salt cabinet salt is is convenient and insert the and side and easy. tabs into easy. To the To use corresponding use salt blocks, grooves simply on the open the the softener extension (fig. 5). To use the block salt again, simply remove the extension. cabinet and place them in the salt storage bay (fig. 6). Use the indicator marks on the back of cabinet and place them in the salt storage bay (fig. 6). Use the indicator marks on Using the salt Salt Blocks platform (fig. 7) to determine when to add new salt blocks. the back of the salt platform (fig. 7) to determine when to add new salt blocks. We Using We recommend block salt is convenient that you and use easy. Kinetico To use Block salt Salt, blocks, a simply clean, open premium the softener grade that has been cabinet developed and place and them processed in the salt and processed specifically storage bay specifically for (fig. Kinetico 6). Use the for systems. indicator Kinetico Other marks systems. quality on the back Other grades of quality of block grades salt are of block the salt platform (fig. 7) to determine when to add new salt blocks. also salt acceptable. are also acceptable. Be sure to use Be salt sure manufactured to use salt for manufactured use in water softeners. for use in water softeners. We recommend that you use Kinetico Block Salt, a clean, premium grade that has been developed Make Make sure and sure processed your your salt specifically storage for Kinetico bay systems. never runs Other runs out quality out of regenerant. grades of regenerant. of block salt Your are Kinetico Your Kinetico dealer can also dealer acceptable. recommend can recommend Be sure or to perform use salt perform manufactured a schedule a schedule for of use periodic in of water periodic softeners. maintenance for for checking the the salt salt supply. supply. Make sure your salt storage bay never runs out of regenerant. Your Kinetico dealer Using can recommend Tablet and or perform Pellet a Salt schedule of periodic maintenance for checking the salt supply. Tablet salt and pellet salt that is manufactured for water softeners are perfectly suitable for use in your Kinetico system. Simply add salt as you need it. Fig. 6 10 Fig. 7 Add salt when Add salt when line is visible line is visible 2020c Water Softener Kinetico engineers every 2020c system to provide you with quality water without requiring extensive maintenance. Minor, routine maintenance is necessary to keep your softener 11 IMPORTANT: Never use rock or granular salt in your system. It contains impurities that can interfere with performance. 11 Tablet salt and pellet salt that is manufactured for water softeners are perfectly suitable for use in your Kinetico system. Simply add salt as you need it. IMPORTANT: Never use rock or granular salt in your system as it contains impurities that can interfere with performance. Manual Regeneration regeneration If your salt storage tank does run out of salt, you will have to manually regenerate If your salt storage the unit tank after does adding run out salt. of salt, If you you will prefer, have to you manually can wait regenerate for the the system unit to automatically after adding salt. regenerate, If you prefer, although you can you wait may for the have system hard to water automatically in the regenerate, mean time. To manually regenerate your system, use a Phillips head screwdriver to push down although you may have hard water in the mean time. on the softener valve screw (fig. 8) and slowly turn CLOCKWISE ONLY until the actuator To manually has regenerate advanced the your indicator system, use dot a to Phillips the BRINE head screwdriver position (fig. to push 9). down You should on the hear at softener least 5 valve clicks screw while (fig. turning 8) and slowly the screw turn CLOCKWISE before the indicator ONLY until dot the reaches actuator the has BRINE position. advanced At the this indicator point you dot will to the hear BRINE water flowing position to (fig. the 9). drain. You should This indicates hear least that 5 you have successfully clicks while initiated turning a the regeneration. screw before the indicator dot reaches the BRINE position. At this point you will hear water flowing to the drain. This indicates that you have successfully NOTE: initiated If a you regeneration. do not hear a flow of water running to drain, please contact your local Kinetico dealer. NOTE: If you do not hear a flow of water running to drain, please contact your local Kinetico dealer. Repeat the procedure for manual regeneration after the water flow stops (approximately 11 minutes) Repeat the to be procedure sure both for resin manual tanks regeneration are regenerated. after the water flow stops (approximately 11 minutes) to be sure both resin tanks are regenerated. Note: NOTE: If your If your hot hot water water tank tank or or loft loft storage storage tank tank has has refilled refilled with with hard hard water, water, it it may may take take several days several for it days to empty for it to completely empty completely and your and water your to feel water soft to again. feel soft again. Note: NOTE: Never Never turn turn the the softener softener valve valve screw screw counter-clockwise counter-clockwise. Fig. 8 Fig. 9 12 Indicator Dot freephone 0800 0151 380 11 Brine Rinse Back Wash Back Wash Fig.9 Brine Rinse
freezing. If you have any questions about your Kinetico 2020c, or you suspect that your system isn t working properly, contact your local Kinetico dealer. Cold Weather Protection If your Kinetico 2020c is installed outside or in an area that is not heated, you may want to take precautionary measures to prevent damage to your unit from freezing. Kinetico offer cabinets specifically designed to protect your softener from freezing temperatures. Please call your local dealer for more information. NOTE: Kinetico s warranty does not cover damage caused to your system due to freezing. If you have any questions about your Kinetico 2020c, or you suspect that your system isn t working properly, contact your local Kinetico dealer. By-Pass There may be times when you need to shut off the water supply to your entire house. To do this, set the by-pass valve to the OFF position. No water will flow through the house. To restart the water, set the by-pass valve to the SERVICE position. You may put the softener into by-pass at any time if necessary by putting the by-pass valve into the BY-PASS position. You will still get water throughout the house, however all of the water will be treated. To return the softener to service, set the by-pass valve to the SERVICE position. Note: Fig. 10 styles vary and yours may not be as described. Contact your local Kinetico dealer for further assistance. SERVICE BYPASS OFF There may be times when you need to shut off the water supply to your entire house. To do this, set the by-pass valve to the OFF position. No water will flow through the house. To restart the water, set the by-pass valve to the SERVICE position. You may put the softener into by-pass at any time if necessary by putting the by-pass valve into the BY-PASS position. You will still get water throughout the house, however all of the water will be treated. To return the softener to service, set the by-pass valve to the SERVICE position. NOTE: styles vary and yours may not be as described. Contact your local Kinetico dealer for further assistance. Service Kinetico By-Pass Valve open Off Inlet open Outlet open Inlet Outlet Inlet Outlet Turn clockwise Turn counter clockwise 13 12 freephone 0800 0151 380 13
2020c Water S Owne Two typical Kinetico 2020c installations shown with kinetico reverse osmosis Drinking tem. Your installation may vary. Maintenance tips - Frequently Asked Questions My system seems to be regenerating more frequently, is this normal? Your Kinetico 2020c is demand operated and therefore adjusts to your water usage. If you do not think that your water usage has increased due to extra house guests, additional laundry or some other reason, check for any leaking plumbing, dripping taps or running toilets, all of which can contribute to more frequent regenerations. My water doesn t seem soft. How can I be sure that my system is regenerating properly? Be sure that the water supply to the softener is not by-passed. Follow the instructions on page 11 to manually regenerate the softener tanks. If the unit does not begin advancing to the next regeneration automatically, please contact your Kinetico dealer for further assistance. Two typical Kinetico 2020c installations shown with Kinetico reverse osmosis Drinking Water System. Your installation may vary. Bypass To Home I can hear my Kinetico system running or regenerating during the day. My old softener only used to run at night. Is this normal? Single tank, electric water softeners tend to be set to regenerate at night because of the unavailability of soft water during the regeneration process. Unlike traditional water softeners, Kinetico systems operate on demand based on your water usage, without timers or electronics. Your system regenerates whenever necessary, at any time of day. Kinetico s twin cylinder design allows one tank to provide treated water while the other regenerates so you will never be without soft water. Outlet Inlet To Drain To RO Storage Tank To Drain If at any time you feel your Kinetico 2020c requires a service, put the system in by-pass and call your local Kinetico dealer. NOTE: This system conforms to NSF/ANSI Standard 44 for the specific performance claims as verified and substantiated by test data. The system is not intended to be used for treating water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after the system. From Main Supply To Drain Air Gap Overflow To home NOTE: Waste connections or drain outlets shall be designed and constructed to provide for connection to the sanitary waste system through an air gap of 2 pipe diameters or 1 inch, whichever is larger. 14 freephone 0800 0151 380 15
Kinetico UK Ltd Bridge House, Park Gate Business Centre, Park Gate, Hampshire SO31 1FQ t 01489 566970 f 01489 566976 e enquiries@kinetico.co.uk Kinetico UK Ltd 2012. Kinetico reserves the right to amend details or specifications without notice, prices are correct at time of print, E&OE. All trademarks are registered to Kinetico Inc. Newbury, Ohio. 07/12 10702D