Author: Briglinhall | Published 1:26 PM, August 11, 2021

Aside from the fact that the water is flowing and the temperature is correct, you usually don't think about anything about the water in your home. What you may not know is that most household water is considered hard water, which means it is rich in minerals and leaves scum and mineral deposits behind. Over time, these mineral deposits can block pipelines and reduce water flow. You may also notice that due to the accumulation of hard water minerals on your skin and hair, you will feel very dry after taking a shower.

Fortunately, there is a simple solution to eliminate the hard water challenge: a water softener system. These convenient devices can neutralize or eliminate heavy minerals in the water. Depending on the method of demineralization and the amount of water to be treated, the water softener has a variety of configurations. The cost of a water softener system is between US$500 and US$6,000, but the average cost is US$1,500. The type of water softener you choose has the greatest impact on the price you pay. In addition, the size of the house or plumbing system being processed will also affect the price, because the RV system does not need to be as powerful or complex as a 2,500-square-foot house. You can find most water softener systems at your local hardware store, but you need a professional to install them because they will be integrated with your home plumbing.

When you decide to use a water softener, you need to consult a professional to ensure that the system capacity you choose is suitable for the size of your house and the number of residents. These factors, together with the system type and installation cost, will mainly determine the water softener system cost.

There are five effective water softeners: ion exchangers that use salt and brine, distilled water, salt-free, reverse osmosis, and magnetic. The type and capacity you choose will largely determine the price you pay. The larger the capacity, the more water is treated, which means that the cost will be higher.

A large house with a few bathrooms needs more plumbing than an apartment. In order to adequately handle enough daily water, you need to estimate the capacity based on the number of grains per gallon. Grain capacity is how much minerals can be removed. Use the following steps to calculate the system size you need:

For example: 3 people x 90 = 270. 270 multiplied by 10 equals 2,700 grains per day. According to HomeAdvisor, this number is between 0 and 3,500 capsules per gallon average, so you need a water softener with a capacity of at least 24,000 capsules. On average, a 32,000-grain water softener can work for a household of up to five people.

If the idea of ​​installing an entire water softener system is daunting, then you might like the idea of ​​installing a small under-counter unit for a specific room that needs soft water. This is a standard option in the kitchen or bathroom. These simpler devices usually cost about $100 and can be installed in about 30 minutes.

For traditional whole-house water softener systems, the labor cost for installation is usually between US$150 and US$600. If the installation is complicated and new pipes need to be run to install the new system, the cost may be higher.

Where you live will affect the total cost you pay for most installations. Compared with rural areas, urban areas have higher living costs and more demand, so labor and material costs tend to be higher. The specific area you live in may also affect the hardness of the water-places like Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Antonio, and Tampa have higher mineral content than many other cities. You need to choose the system that best suits the mineral content of your area.

In addition to the initial system cost and labor costs, there are some considerations that will affect the cost of the water softener system. After installation, you need to conduct a water test and pay for equipment maintenance. In addition, the installer may need to add electrical or plumbing functions to ensure it works properly.

The water softener system is a complex unit that uses many components to keep the system working correctly and safely. They require regular maintenance to ensure proper water treatment. If you have a brine system, you need to check the brine tank every 3 to 4 months to prevent salt accumulation. The water softener technician will also add salt or potassium as needed. Annual maintenance usually costs US$100 to US$300 to inspect, flush, and replenish equipment.

You need to know the current water content status to know which water softener system is best for your house. Some local municipalities can provide the most recent water test, or you can hire a water treatment expert to conduct the test on site. If you are in a well, be sure to perform tests that measure pH, hardness, and iron content. The cost of the well test kit is approximately US$10 to US$50.

The water softener system for the entire house needs to be installed near the water main. If the area is not easily accessible, or you have to dig a new pipe, your installation costs will rise rapidly. You also need electricity to run the system. If there is no power supply nearby, the electrician will spend more to rewire and power the equipment.

Most water softener installations do not require the supervision of the general contractor. Nonetheless, if structural work is required to install the correct plumbing and electricity, then you may need to hire one. You may pay an additional 15% to 23% for the general contractor.

Large installations may require permission or inspection from your local government. Check with the installer to see if your project requires a license.

Once you have determined the water consumption and water hardness, you can narrow down the type of water softener you want to install. Some water softeners are more suitable for septic tank systems, while others are most suitable for households with high frequency of use. The following is a breakdown of the cost of each system.

This is the most common and reliable type of water softener. The water passes through the mineral tank, where calcium and magnesium exchange ions when attracted by plastic or resin beads. The beads enter the brine tank with salt, and the salt can wash away the hard minerals and restore the beads. This type of device and total installation costs are usually 500 to 2,000 US dollars, but these require regular salt replenishment, which is an ongoing maintenance cost.

A water distiller is a less common system that separates water from heavy metals and minerals by generating water vapor before the boiling point. Since it works without a filter or mineral tank, it cannot effectively remove all chemicals in the water. Water distillers also work slower, which makes them a better drinking water choice than the entire house system. Installing a distilled water system costs 50 to 2,000 US dollars.

The salt-free water softener or conditioner works like an ion exchange system, but it uses potassium instead of sodium or salt. This will neutralize the minerals and suspend them in the tank instead of removing them. Potassium is gentler to the septic tank system and may be safer for people on a low-sodium diet. It costs US$800 to US$4,000 to install a salt-free water softener.

If you prefer to focus on removing all minerals, chemicals, toxins and heavy metals from the water, then a reverse osmosis system is a good choice. The equipment and installation cost from 1,000 to 2,800 US dollars, and they can handle total water filtration for mineral removal and purified water, which is much safer than ordinary tap water. You can install one under the kitchen sink or throughout the house, and they can work with other softener components.

An emerging option that has not yet been proven is the magnetic water softener. You connect electrical equipment to an existing pipe, and the magnet generates an energy field that reverses the mineral ions to prevent accumulation. Users say that the system is working well, but there is not much research to support these claims. However, their installation cost is only between US$200 and US$600.

Do you see stubborn, unremarkable stains around the drain pipe in your home? Hard water may be the culprit. This is why your white clothes look more and more dirty, your hair and skin always feel dry, and the reason for the recent rise in utility bills. Look at these top reasons why you need a water softener system.

If you doubt how hard your water content is, you can buy a DIY water quality test kit from your local hardware store. The metric you are looking for is the number of milligrams of dissolved calcium carbonate per liter. Anything between 0 and 60 mg/L is considered soft, 61 to 120 mg/L is medium hardness, 121 to 180 mg/L is hard, and more than 180 mg/L is very hard. Results above 121 strongly indicate the need for a water softener system to protect the pipeline from mineral deposits.

As the water slowly recedes from the drain, any remaining puddles will eventually evaporate and leave minerals behind. These minerals are stubborn stains that can become almost as hard as rocks. The water softener prevents these minerals from flowing out of the tap, so you no longer need to fight with these unsightly stains.

This same accumulation of minerals can also be called scale or scale. It can accumulate on shower heads, teapots, glassware or any other frequently wet surfaces. This includes internal electrical appliances, especially inside your plumbing system. Excessive accumulation will eventually damage the system, leading to expensive repair costs.

Sometimes, the first sign of scale buildup is higher utility bills. If the pipeline loses its ability to flow due to mineral deposits, it may be more difficult for water to pass through. If it is hot water, then the operating efficiency of your boiler or water heater will not be able to keep up.

Minerals in hard water can interfere with washing powders, so they cannot clean clothes effectively. Just like they leave scum in the pipe, they do the same on clothes. This can cause fading, graying, roughness, and even a stench that seems to never disappear.

Hard water is especially difficult for your hair and skin. It can cause dryness of the scalp and body, even itching and peeling. The weight of these minerals usually causes hair to become duller or softer than most people like. They also prevent the soap from dissolving properly, which means you may end up with soap residue that has not washed away the bacteria.

In your water heater, scaly deposits of minerals in pipes and drains must also occur. Hard water usually causes premature aging of the water heating system. Electric heaters almost speed up this process because heat promotes the formation of scale.

Improving the water quality in your home will not only make you feel silky smooth and clean when you wash your hands or shower-although this is a common cause for many users. This is a cost-effective way to prevent long-term problems with your plumbing system, while making your laundry tasks more efficient and the water tastes better.

Your skin and hair do not want to be constantly overwhelmed by excessive chemicals and minerals. Hair responds better to shampoo and conditioner, and looks less dull and limp. With the water softener system, your skin will be less dry and itchy, which means you may not need as much lotion.

Since soap does not dissolve and foam easily in hard water, you may find that you need less soap overall. Whether it is shower gel, hand sanitizer, detergent or washing powder, your cleaning products will have better cleaning and foaming ability in soft water.

In terms of preventive maintenance, this is the best reason for a water softener system. Soft water can prevent the growing scale and scum of hard water minerals attached to drains, pipes, appliances and kitchenware. When soft water flows through your pipeline, you don't have to worry about the condition of the pipeline or equipment.

Many people buy bottled water because it usually tastes better than tap water. With a water softener system, you will find that your tap water now tastes better than most bottled water. Removal of excessive minerals that affect the taste of the water is an added benefit.

There is no need to install a water softener system for the entire house. If you only have medium hardness water, then you may just want to install a small device under the kitchen sink or in the main bathroom. Some under-counter systems come with DIY installation kits. Remember, there is always a risk when using your own piping system, which can cause poor connections, leaks, or worse.

For the water softener system designed for the entire house, please hire a water softener installer to avoid the risk of damaging the entire piping system. If you find that you need to add plumbing or electrical engineering to install the system, this is crucial (and may be required by law). The last thing you want to do is accidentally cause a water leak, and the cost of repairing it on the road is higher. Qualified installers will be familiar with the system they are installing and can solve any problems that may arise during the installation process.

You may be surprised to find that the long-term advantage of a water softener is your most economical way. You will see lower cleaning supplies costs, longer equipment life, and even lower energy costs. However, if you want to save upfront water softener system costs, please consider these tips.

Since the water softener system is a long-term investment, you need to make sure that the correct system is installed. When you start looking for a water softener installer, use these questions to help guide the process. Always first make sure that the installers (and any subcontractors they need to hire) are licensed and insured, and can provide references upon request.

The water softener system need not be a mystery. For homeowners who choose to invest in them, their benefits and cost-effectiveness have a long history. If you still want to know the cost of a water softener, then please consider the answers to these most common questions.

It depends on the type and capacity of the system you need to install. The typical price range is US$1,000 to US$2,800, with an average price of US$1,500. Smaller devices installed under the sink cost less, but if you install a smart system or need to add a lot of pipes, the cost can be as high as $6,000.

Homeowners find that they use less soap, detergent, and other cleaning products because they work better without the interference of hard minerals in the water. As a personal benefit, your hair and skin will not be so dry and itchy, and there will be no accumulation of minerals on the skin. Finally, the taste of your tap water will be significantly better than before.

Yes. You can install a smaller system that fits under the sink. In this way, you can use soft water where you need it. There is also a portable water softener device, suitable for recreational vehicles with pipes.

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