[sgiitk]

Now it seems my old AquaGuard unit (non-RO) may be giving up the ghost. I need a new one, non-RO. Any suggestions. Aqua Guard are being stroppy supplying spares (electronic) to third parties.

[HappyWheels]

Got myself a Kent Grand for INR 14k from Amazon.

During installation, the solenoid was found to be faulty. Thankfully the technician had a spare one and it was replaced. So much for quality! Hope no more surprises.

[sgiitk]

Originally Posted by HappyWheels

Got myself a Kent Grand for INR 14k from Amazon.

During installation, the solenoid was found to be faulty. Thankfully the technician had a spare one and it was replaced. So much for quality! Hope no more surprises.

The experience of people in Gurugram is also the reliability of Kent is suspect, this is why the service wallahs are recommending ZeroB from Ion Exchange India.

[aadya]

Originally Posted by sgiitk

The experience of people in Gurugram is also the reliability of Kent is suspect, this is why the service wallahs are recommending ZeroB from Ion Exchange India.

Zero B should be good choice. But please check for the local servicing options. They have simple range with reasonable options.

[sgiitk]

Originally Posted by aadya

Zero B should be good choice. But please check for the local servicing options. They have simple range with reasonable options.

Spot on Aadya. I will say first check with the local service wallah before choosing. Many exotic units are tough to service, and spares cost a bomb.

[naveenvenkatesh]

Just got my Aqua Guard Water purifier serviced. Actual model is Aquaguard Reviva NXT RO+UV.

Its been exactly 1 year and 1 month to the day since i installed it.

The service person showed me some muddy water and said all the candles need to be changed! Total was Rs. 4800/- plus service change of Rs.350. Total was 5180. Really steep.

Does the filter/candle need to be changed this often? The technician said 3 fields/candles need to be changed every 12 months, which seems absurd. I paid about 15-16K when i installed it, so in essence, 25% of the cost every year will have to be paid for changing the filter. I can buy a new one every 4 years if this keeps continuing.

Won't be changing the filter again next year if it comes to it.

What other brands are out there? I had a Philips earlier than this and came for solid 8 years with very few issues.

[sagarpadaki]

From what i understand after reading 50 pages of this thread is that there is no RO purifier available that is easy on the pocket to maintain. One will get fleeced by the service center on parts and labor of approximately 4K every year.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by naveenvenkatesh

Just got my Aqua Guard Water purifier serviced. Actual model is Aquaguard Reviva NXT RO+UV.

Its been exactly 1 year and 1 month to the day since i installed it.

Your machine should be serviced, and your filters cleaned at least three to four times a year. It only works as well as its last service!

[sgiitk]

@rkg; Excellent posts. Most independents use parts not from the OEs but from the market, which are supposed to be equally good, may even be the same but with the originators label.

There are no issues with good third party service, normally equally good, and cheaper, and available on call. In many complexes they respond far faster. They are often service personnel who have spent a few years with the majors, so are highly skilled.

[naut]

Folks,

I need some inputs regarding the right water purifier to choose.

Water source:

1. 50-60% Municipal water supply (TDS ~ 180-190)
2. 50-40% Borewell water (TDS ~ 250)

Based on the discussion in this thread, I think a TDS of ~150 ppm is ok for human consumption. So, an "RO + UV" water purifier with a provision for TDS regulation should be sufficient get output water with TDS of ~150 ppm.

As the reduction in TDS that I am expecting is low, am I wrong in expecting a higher life of the cartridges and esp. RO membrane?

It seems like AMC offered by all water purifier companies covers replacement of all cartridges and membranes each year (irrespective of usage/remaining useful life) and are hence expensive.

Is there any company which offers limited warranty/service for the electrical parts like pump, mother board etc. and will replace the cartridges and membranes on need basis at additional cost? If yes, this might be a better proposition for most users!

Please let me know if the above thought process sounds ok or if you notice any flaws. Would be happy to hear your ideas/suggestions to reduce the recurring AMC charges.

Thanks in advance!

[sailukitta]

Originally Posted by naut

Folks,

I need some inputs regarding the right water purifier to choose.

Water source:

1. 50-60% Municipal water supply (TDS ~ 180-190)
2. 50-40% Borewell water (TDS ~ 250)

Based on the discussion in this thread, I think a TDS of ~150 ppm is ok for human consumption. So, an "RO + UV" water purifier with a provision for TDS regulation should be sufficient get output water with TDS of ~150 ppm.

As the reduction in TDS that I am expecting is low, am I wrong in expecting a higher life of the cartridges and esp. RO membrane?

It seems like AMC offered by all water purifier companies covers replacement of all cartridges and membranes each year (irrespective of usage/remaining useful life) and are hence expensive.

Is there any company which offers limited warranty/service for the electrical parts like pump, mother board etc. and will replace the cartridges and membranes on need basis at additional cost? If yes, this might be a better proposition for most users!

Please let me know if the above thought process sounds ok or if you notice any flaws. Would be happy to hear your ideas/suggestions to reduce the recurring AMC charges.

Thanks in advance!

I am no expert in this field but would like to share a couple of observations I made in my recent research for a Ro purifier for my home.Correct me if I'm wrong.

There are 2 types of RO purifiers:
1. RO+UF :
In this the water is passed through a UF filter and mixed with the output of the RO membrane. This is particularly not useful with high TDS water as the entire water is not being passed through the RO membrane.UF Filter is a lower version of RO filter with larger pores compared to the RO which is only useful in purifying biological impurities and chemical impurities to some extent.This leaves a chance of heavy metals making their way to the product water.

This purifier,though enables us to control the TDS and maintain higher TDS levels, doesn't eliminate the chances of presence of heavy metals completely.

Purifiers using RO & UF : Kent,Aquaguard,LivPure.

2. 100% RO purifiers:
In these water purifiers, 100% of the water is passed through the RO after the pre-filtration.This will significantly reduce the TDS.Brands usually going by this method employ a mineral cartridge after the RO membrane to add back a bunch of essential minerals to compensate the reduction in TDS. These purifiers should be preferred when the input TDS is high and when we are not sure of the input water contamination levels.

Since the entire water is passing through the RO,we can be sure that the output water is free of unwanted minerals.

100% RO purifiers in the market : AO Smith,LG,HUL Pureit.

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Pre-filtration processes like Sediment Filter,Activated Carbon Filter and Post-filteration processes like SCMT,UV etc are common to among all purifiers and I think the primary thing to look for in a RO purifier is whether the entire water is being passed through the RO or not and make a choice based on the kind of water we are planning to feed the RO purifier with.Personally, I prefer 100% RO purifiers as that is what we are buying an RO purifier for.

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In addition to this,I came across this Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher to maintain the PH levels which can be a good addition to any RO purifiers.

https://www.kent.co.in/water-purifie...filter-pitcher

[deathwalkr]

My whirpool ro filter has been throwing tantrums quite often these days and so has my wife. So looking for a new one, and might buy the kent grand +. Getting a good deal on it.

What would be the maintenance schedule?

[flying_spur]

I have a Kent pearl which I purchased 6 months back. The filter gave up exactly after 180 days. I raised a ticket to get them replaced under warranty (6 months for filters and 1 year for other parts). The technician visited and tried getting the filters under warranty. But the HQ rejected th weeke claim. Had to spend ~2.5k for 2 filters and an extra pre filter. So much for Kent quality.

[rohan_iitr]

Originally Posted by flying_spur

I have a Kent pearl which I purchased 6 months back. The filter gave up exactly after 180 days. I raised a ticket to get them replaced under warranty (6 months for filters and 1 year for other parts). The technician visited and tried getting the filters under warranty. But the HQ rejected th weeke claim. Had to spend ~2.5k for 2 filters and an extra pre filter. So much for Kent quality.

The filter is a "wear and tear item". I don't think it can be covered under warranty.

Filter getting clogged too fast is an indication of dirty inlet water.

The installation person should have suggested a pre filter at the time of installation. It really helps to prolong the life of the filters in the RO unit.

Rohan

[MDED]

I am using AO Smith X7 model for over an year and it has given me good quality of water. Any purifier you buy, be ready to shell out around Rs 4000-5000 annually for filter replacement and other service related expenses.

AO smith is not a conventional RO and it works on Silver Charged Membrane Technology (SCMT) ensuring that no water is made to bypass the filter system. The only disadvantage with my machine is the wastage of water which it does for cleaning 6 litres of water. Although, newer variants of my machine are touted to be less water guzzler.