Are Water Softeners Worth the Cost?

If you are on the market for a new water softener, you might be contemplating your cost-to-value ratios right about now. Water softeners are not cheap, and they shouldn’t be considering the vital role they play in on-demand water quality. However, cars are not cheap either, yet they are a standard, fixed cost in most people’s budgets. Water softeners can be viewed quite similarly, as they are also highly-beneficial assets that enhance the level of convenience and quality in our lives.

So, when shopping around for a replacement water softener, do not let the price tag, nor the cost of set up and installation, throw you off. There are many valuable advantages of having a water softener that make the upfront investment worth it, including, believe it or not, future cost savings.

Continue reading to learn why water softeners are worth the money, plus where you can get top-of-the-line models for economical prices right here in Indianapolis.

Water Softener Plumbers Indianapolis Indiana 317-784-1870
Water Softener Plumbers Indianapolis Indiana 317-784-1870

Top Benefits of Water Softening

Are you still reeling on the mention of cost-savings by water softening? Well, it’s true. One of the top-noted advantages of having a quality water softener is that it can save you money. Not only does soft water lower your monthly utility bills (water and energy), but it also helps prevent future breakdowns within plumbing systems and water-related appliances (dishwashers, washing machines, water heaters, etc.). And that’s not all; they also save you money on detergent, shampoo, conditioner, soap, clothing, and much more! How does a water softener do all this? It protects us and our assets against the effects of hard water.

Why Hard Water is Bad

Hard water contains dissolved minerals, such as iron, calcium, and magnesium, among other contaminants and constituents. These hard mineral ions cause limescale buildup, which is often seen around plumbing fixtures and drains. Limescale can also build up inside water heater tanks, washing machines, dishwashing machines, and water lines. Because of limescale, hard water can negatively affect your hair, skin, dishes, laundry, and overall budget plan.

Hard water does not lather or rinse very well. As a result, it can leave behind a residue that makes skin feel dry and irritated, while causing the hair to look greasy and dingy. Additionally, people tend to use more soap, shampoo, and conditioner just to get a good lather, which leads to more frequent product replacements, thus costing more money.

As for laundry, hard water can fade and dry out fabrics. Not only does this make your clothes and upholstered items look more worn, but it can cost you money by forcing you to replace laundered items that have been damaged by hard water.

Because hard water leaves behind limes residues, it can make your dishes look cloudy and spotty. This often prompts homeowners to run the dishwasher cycle over again to get a better clean, which ultimately costs them more money in water and electricity bills.

Water Softening Costs

The average cost of buying and installing a new water softener is around $3,000. You could be spared from a large bill by opting for a magnetic or ion-exchange manual regeneration water softener. These tend to be the least expensive to install, usually between $100 and $400. As for buying price, you can buy a quality make and model for as low as $500 or $600. This could be one of your cheapest options.

How to Ensure You Get all the Benefits of Water Softening

Having a water softener installed in your home is one of the best methods of water softening and overall asset protection. However, in order to get the best results from your water softener, it is important that you make the right size selection. Not only must you choose a quality water softener, but you need to select the right capacity water softener.

You can make this determination based on the number of occupants within your home and the level of water hardness. On average, the water in the United States contains nearly 10 grains of hardness per gallon, while the average person uses 80 gallons of water per day. So, if you have 4 people in your home, your calculations will look like this:

People: 4
Gallons Per Person: 80
Grains of Hardness: 10
Gallons Used Per Day: 80 x 4 = 320
Total Grains Used Each Day: 320 x 10 = 3,200
Water Softener Capacity: 3,200 x 10 = 32,000

In this example, you would need a 32,000 grain water softener. Most homes use a 33,000 grain water softener, but for larger homes with more occupants, more conditioning is required. Overall, water softeners are worth the cost because they start saving you money as soon as they get to work.

Are you ready to learn your options for affordable water softening at home or in the office? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for professional sales, installation, service, and repair for all make and model water softeners, including saltfree water softeners.

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