What Is the Expected Cost to Install a Water Softener?

The cost of installing a water softener can vary greatly due to the wide range of water softener sizes and configurations that are available on the market today. Prices for the softener itself can range anywhere from $500 for a compact unit to as high as $6,000 for a more complex system. 

Likewise, installation costs vary, depending on how the system is configured. Some water softeners are designed for easy installation and low maintenance, giving buyers the option to install it themselves. Others must be installed professionally, in which case, buying from a reputable retailer could mean you can get a deal on installation costs.

Water Softener Costs Vary By Household Size

It is difficult to provide an “off-the-cuff” price estimate for a water softener and its installation since it’s the type of appliance that should be selected to meet your specific home needs. The size of your home and household are factors that will help you determine which water softener will be best for you.

In water softener selection, a home’s square footage is not as important as the number of people living in the home and the amount of water they use. The EPA estimates the average American family uses over 300 gallons of water per day. Again, these estimates can vary as families differ, but you can get a pretty accurate estimate for your household by reviewing your recent water bills.

Water Softener Estimates Are Impacted By Region

The majority of U.S. residential areas have hard water. In fact, nearly 85% of American households have hard water. Depending on the geography and topography in a given area, the level of hardness in the water can vary greatly, as shown in the map below.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not established a legal limit or standard for hardness in water, mostly because the elements that contribute to hardness (generally calcium and magnesium ions) are not toxic. There are, however, standard ranges of hardness that are referenced in evaluating the severity of a home’s hard water:

• Soft: 0-60 milligrams per liter (mg/L) as calcium carbonate
• Moderately hard: 61-120 mg/L as calcium carbonate
• Hard: 121-180 mg/L as calcium carbonate
• Very hard: more than 180 mg/L as calcium carbonate

While hard water elements are not considered unhealthy, hard water can have unpleasant and even costly effects on a home. The harder the water, the greater the severity of those effects.

A Home Investment Worth Making

When you consider investing in a water softener, it is important to look at the return on investment that purchase will provide. Some of the typical benefits that people notice soon after a water softener install include tap water that smells and tastes better, smoother skin and hair, brighter laundry, and fixtures stay cleaner. Over time, however, another advantage water softener owners usually see is more money in their monthly and yearly budget.

Water plays a central role in daily living, so there are many ways the quality of your water can affect your budget. Here are some examples:

• Drinking Water – A lot of people include bottled water on their shopping list because they don’t like the flavor of the water from their tap. Hard water minerals in the water can make it taste unpleasant. Installing a water softener in the home can noticeably lessen these minerals, enabling you to fill up your own bottles and save a great deal of money and plastic.
• Soaps and Cleaning Products – The minerals in hard water prevent soaps and other cleaning items from performing optimally, requiring you to use more of them to achieve the expected results. By having softened water, you can use less of those products to get the job done.
• Hot Water Usage – Presence of hard water in the home diminishes the performance of water heating systems. Calcium and other minerals build up on the heating element, resulting in a thick layer of sediment, forcing the water heater to use more energy to raise the temperature. A water softener stops the calcium from entering your system, allowing the water heater to work at its maximum efficiency.
• Plumbing and Appliances – Calcium accumulation caused by hard water can be detrimental for the plumbing and water-based appliances of your home. Scale build-up can block the pipes, eventually leading to a decrease in water flow. Not only are your pipes and water heater affected, appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, coffee makers, and humidifiers are also compromised. People who have water softeners installed in their homes generally need to repair or replace these appliances less frequently.
• Laundry – In a short period of time, the buildup of hard water can give light and white laundry a dingy gray or yellowish color. This is due to the minerals forming a bond with the detergent and becoming lodged in the fibers. This accumulation of residue is also what makes towels feel stiff and rough. By washing items in soft water, they will remain brighter and won’t need to be replaced as often.

Water Boss Has Water Softener Options That Meet Every Need and Budget

The WaterBoss mission is to provide a water solution that affordably meets the needs of every home. Our quality water softener system features an innovative, built-in water filter that is low maintenance, self cleaning, and engineered using advanced water treatment technology. As a well-respected, industry-leading brand, WaterBoss offers you a variety of models to choose from as well as a quality product backed by reliable support. 

To discover how affordable your ideal water solution is, visit one of our retailers to purchase your very own WaterBoss water softener.