Its been 18 months since I started using Kent Excel under counter RO purifier. In first 9 months of operation, there were 7 service visits for a variety of issues. Many of them were water draining out needlessly or the system being ON all the time. My overhead tanks kept unduly draining out until we realised the problem - criminal wastage of water. Last two times this issue surfaced, the problem was ascribed to a solenoid valve. They were replaced atleast twice in first 9 months -
I dont precisely remember how many times, it could have been more than twice. Now, 9 months later the issue has resurfaced - water keeps draining even if the unit is turned off. Service guy - apparently a novice - tries to sweep it under carpet saying this is normal. Upon insisting agrees that solenoid valve is blown. He also tells me that these need to be replaced every 6months. LOL...What on earth would a solenoid valve need replacement for every 2000 operations or so (assuming unit turns on every 12 times a day, a realistic figure). Cost of valve: Rs300. Cost of Service: Rs.450. Totalled: Rs.750. That means every year I need to spend Rs.1500 on servicing a poor piece of engineering! That is in stark contrast to what sales guys told me - "no yearly maintenance required".
I know how things work, and the valves Kent is using have poor reliability. Thats just a crap, no room for any excuse. I’ve used other products that use similar valves rated to last for 35years.The last time this issue surfaced, I had a duel with the dealer. He relented and always assured. I even spoke to MD or GM of Hyderabad operations and he too was assuring of all support. But a good customer support cannot substitute for a poor product, no matter how good customer support is!
My suggestion: Keep out of Kent. Try IonExchange (My friend had been using it for 7 years, he never had to call customer support, but their sales was uninspiring and pathetic which is why I went for Kent).