What Does it Cost for a Water Softener?

So you’ve decided to take control of your water quality and purchase some treatment equipment, but where should you start? How much should it cost and what company should you choose? These are great questions, and the goal of this article is to help you choose the right water softener equipment with the best value for your family. Whether it’s equipment for your existing home or new construction, we have the solutions for your water problems.

What factors determine the cost?

Type of Equipment — There are salt-based and salt-free water softeners (the latter is also known as “water conditioners“). Usually, salt-based water softeners are more expensive, but they actually soften water.

Water usage & Quality — The harder your water and the more of it you use on a daily basis, the larger your water softener should be. Service flow rate also plays an important role here. After all, you want to be able to turn on your washing machine, shower, and open the kitchen faucet all at the same time without losing pressure.

Equipment Features – Sure, some features that more expensive products may come with are unnecessary bells and whistles. What you should look out for, however, is a water softener with a digital control head that allows for easy configuration and monitoring. You also want a metered system that regenerates based on previous water usage rather than timer-based. A unit with timed regeneration always uses the same amount of water and salt to recharge its resin bed no matter how saturated it actually is. The initial price tag might be a little lower, but it costs more to operate over the long run. Keeping water and salt use at a bare minimum is also better for the environment. Generally speaking, you should keep in mind that not all whole house water softeners are created equal. A product with a lower price tag might wear out more quickly, thus having higher maintenance needs and requiring costly repairs—and vice versa.

Also, remember that a solid system that functions properly will pay for itself down the road. It prevents the accumulation of scale. This adds to the longevity of your home appliances such as your water heater as well as your plumbing system for reduced maintenance costs. Heat exchangers will work more efficiently. You can make savings in toiletries, detergents, and other cleaning products thanks to improved lathering.

How can I save on initial costs?

This is a great question, as the initial cost of installing water treatment equipment is the most formidable. One way to mitigate this cost is to get it all done at once. The more often a company has to come to your home to install additional equipment, the more cost accrued. It is best to know all the equipment that you will need and settle on a price that won’t change as new issues are discovered. There are a couple of really expensive brands out there that charge outrageous prices for products and services that you either don’t want or need, or that are simply no better than what the competition has to offer. Usually, a local water treatment company—like c and j water—offers the best value because they don’t have all the overhead of all the national brands. In some instances, equipment from national brands can be 2-3 times more expensive. Furthermore, we offer financing through Wisetack which allows you to make payments and offset the initial costs. 

Can I expect more costs after the installation?

After the initial installation, the costs to maintain your water treatment equipment should be minimal. Basically, you’ll need to add salt to your softener, change your filters & bulbs, and change your media.

Softener Salt — Water softeners need salt for ion exchange—the process that takes the hard minerals out of your water. While how often you need to add salt will vary based on water quality and usage, it is imperative that you keep an eye on it and never let it run out. You can also add too much salt, so check out this previous article to make sure you are adding the right amount at the right time.

Filters & Bulbs — Many homeowners choose equipment that requires periodic replacement of bulbs and filters. Sediment filters should be changed at least once per month, maybe more if your water source is particularly heavy on iron, sand, or sediment. Your reverse osmosis filters will also need to be monitored and changed. The pre-filter and post-filter will need to be changed at least annually, and the RO membrane will need to be changed at least every five years. Failing to change the filters and membrane drastically reduces the effectiveness of the RO system. If you have an ultraviolet light for bacteria mitigation, it has a bulb that needs to be changed. UV lamps have a lifespan of approximately 9,000 hours. Calculated out, this means the lamp can operate for about 375 days before requiring a replacement. Since technically the lamp is good for about a year and a week, this does provide you with a little wiggle room in the event you forget to order a replacement lamp in time. However, it is always wise to keep an extra lamp on hand or set a reminder to order a new lamp a month before your old one expires. After the 9,000 hours, disinfection will no longer occur and you will no longer be protected from any microbiological unsafe content present in your water. After the UV lamp burns out, you are simply passing water through a tube of glass inside a pipe.

New media — Your water softener, AIO, and dechlorinator have media inside them that needs to be replaced occasionally. If properly maintained, water softeners only need the media replaced every 7-10 years and dechlorinators every 7 years. The good news is you can set up filters or bulbs for your equipment to be delivered automatically, whenever they are scheduled to be replaced, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to order replacements.

Furthermore, private water well owners should also invest in preventative maintenance with a water well cleaning and a pressure tank replacement every 10 years. Yearly inspections are also recommended to make sure your well system components are functioning properly.

What can I expect if I choose c and j water?

c and j is owned and operated by Christy and Josh Abdnour—a local family serving local families. Our owners and technicians live in Central Indiana, and often have the same water treatment issues as our customers. By supporting our small, local business you support local families and communities. It’s a great way to impact your area and ensure its vibrant growth and health. With c and j, not only will your water get the right treatment, so will you! As our many Google reviews will attest, we have an outstanding reputation from our customers in Central Indiana. We work with your schedule when installing and servicing and take the time to inform you about all your equipment options. We don’t use tricky techniques, or pushy salesman—just honest, ethical technicians willing to serve.

Contact us today to support a local business offering exceptional products and services at affordable prices!