If you’re looking for a permanent solution to hard water in your home, a water softener may be the best cure. The initial investment of a softener system can be costly, so homeowners should test their water and speak with a local professional plumber before committing to the purchase. A hard water test can be purchased from Lowe’s or another home improvement store.
Water Softener Cost
If a professional plumber advises your home could benefit from a water softener, your might be looking anywhere from $400 to $2,500, depending on style and features. You should also plan on the cost of maintenance of the system to ensure it’s running properly each year. Most water softeners last for roughly 10 years, but routine maintenance can help extend the life of the system.
Choosing the size of the water softener you need will depend on the number of people living in your home and the number of bathrooms. For example, a home with two bathrooms and three residents will need a midsize softener with a 20,000+ grain capacity.For a home of four or more with three bathrooms, a large softener with a 30,000+ grain capacitywill be needed.
The gran capacity refers to how many grains of hard water minerals can be removed before the regeneration process begins. If your area is known for hard water, you may need a larger capacity system.
Water Softener Factors To Consider
In addition to your household size and typical water usage, here are some other factors to consider when choosing a water softener:
- Energy efficiency: Water softeners use energy to perform. It’s best to choose an energy-efficient model to keep your energy bills in check. While you may pay more for the system up front, an energy efficient system can reduce water usage by nearly 35 percent.
- Contaminant removal: Research what types of contaminants the system removes from your water. A plumber should be able to tell you what type of pollutants are in your water, but consider a system that removes chlorine, sediment and clear-water iron.
- Hardness level removal: After performing your hard water test, you’ll be more informed on which water softener system will work best for you. Purchase a system that can perform according to the level you need.
- System features: Water softener capabilities can become quite complex. Some models offer salt monitors, self-cleaning filters and other programming options that make upkeep simpler. Discuss the options with your plumber to determine which are a priority for you and which you can skip.
The water softener can help prolong the plumbing system in your home by reducing the amount of mineral and sediment buildup, make your drinking water purer and eliminate dangerous chemicals from your water for daily use. Kohler water softeners can be easily integrated into your home’s system and can extend the life of appliances, plumbing and fixtures by reducing corrosion and scale.
