How Can a Water Softener Save Me Money?

Hard water is the silent money drainer that, if left for a long period of time, can completely empty your wallet. A water softener is the quickest, easiest and most cost-effective solution to this problem because they are built for efficiency.

The main reason to install a water softener system in the home if you live in an area with hard water is to save money. Water softeners use ion exchange to remove magnesium and calcium ions, which are the mineral content that makes water ‘hard’. Scale and scum accumulation in your household can be limited by using soft water, and areas with scale and scum can be treated. When combined with soap and washing detergents, you’ll notice the water feels smooth and silky on the skin, allowing for much more efficient washing.

Water softening, although a great money-saving method, requires maintenance

There are several benefits to your household that you will notice right away. Saving money will also become easier over time.

Save Money on Your Household Appliances

With softened water, dishwashers and washing machines require up to 70% less soap and 50% less detergent, according to a study.

Many of your household appliances require water, like your boiler, kettle, and shower, and hard water will be reducing their lifespans considerably. Hard water minerals cause scale build-up which leads to damaged plumbing and restricted water flow. Consequently, this means more mechanical problems, such as limescale build-up on the heating elements, requiring expensive and damaging acid washing. Washers that seal joints can also become calcified and which causes leaks. By installing a water softener system, your appliances will be protected from harmful hard water, saving you money on repairs and replacements.

By removing minerals from the water before it runs through your appliances, a water softener limits the damage scale buildup can cause. Some appliances can be doubled in lifespan by a water softener.

Save Money on Your Energy Bills

Hard water can wreak havoc on the efficiency of your water heaters, increasing your energy bills. The scale build-up from hard water minerals will not only damage the heating elements in your appliances; it slows down the transfer of heat into the water so they have to work harder for longer. A water softener can eliminate these hard minerals, ensuring that the heat exchanger works as efficiently as possible with the soft water. The more efficient your heating system is, the more money you will save.

Installing a water softener is an initial expense. When it’s installed, you’ll begin saving on your household bills immediately. Depending on the soft water system that’s best for your household, the only regular cost would be for block salt, which is minimal – anywhere from £2 to £5 per person per month.

Save Money on Your Cleaning Products

With hard water, limescale builds up on taps, sinks and shower screens which is one of the hardest things to clean. Two options are aggressive, chemical cleaners or rough scourers, both of which can damage your surfaces. Softened water is completely free of limescale, so by installing a water softener, your surfaces will simply wipe clean. This means that you will spend less money on expensive cleaning supplies. Furthermore, big savings can also be made by reducing the amount of washing machine detergent by two-thirds after installing a water softener. While the amount of shampoo and conditioner you use will also be dramatically reduced.

In spite of the fact that we all have our favourite brands, and you may be more extravagant in some areas, the average savings on general family toiletries and household cleaning products will range between 70% and 90% when considering the following factors, and working on the basis of a two bathroom property.

How much is a water softener?

The cost of a single-cylinder water softener starts at £500, and the cost of a twin-cylinder softener starts at £1,600. Installation costs on average £350, so be sure to budget for that as well. 

The installation cost of a water softener is around £350 and the monthly rental would be around £30. Often, these costs can be included in the monthly rent to help spread the cost. 

Salt should cost between £1.25 – £2.50 per person per month as a rule of thumb. Water bills should increase by around £5 including VAT on average each year.

It is worth noting, however, that owning a water softener is a very cost-effective investment that will ultimately save you money. Because of this, it will reduce the costs associated with cleaning limescale build-up on a continuous basis. As a result, you will not need to deal with appliances that do not perform properly or that need to be replaced as a result of the damage caused by hard water.

Overall, a water softener is one of the best investments you can make and will save you money in the long run. Why not contact one of our experts today? Email at: info@kindwater.co.uk or call on 01728 746764.