What does a water softener
cost to run?
Once a water softener is fitted, the running costs are modest, but they aren't zero. Here's where the money goes, and what makes the difference between one softener and another.
Salt
Salt is the main running cost. The softener uses it to clean its resin during regeneration, so the harder your water and the more you use, the more salt it needs.
Softeners take block salt or tablet salt, depending on the model. You top it up yourself, and how often depends on your household's water use.
Water used to regenerate
Every regeneration flushes some water to drain. If you're on a water meter, that shows up on your bill.
Softeners that regenerate only when they've treated a set amount of water (metered) tend to waste less than ones that regenerate on a fixed timer whether they need to or not.
Electricity
Non-electric twin-cylinder softeners use no power at all. Electric models use a small plug-in transformer to run the control valve, which costs very little.
Our softener types guide compares the well-known brands.
Servicing
Most makers recommend a periodic service to keep the softener working efficiently. Check the handbook for your model.
What you save
Soft water stops new scale building up on taps, shower heads, kettles, cylinders and heating, so appliances and showers stay cleaner for longer, and you need less cleaning product and descaler.
Across our area the water is very hard. See the official figures for each town.
Hard water across Herts and Essex scales up taps, showers and heating. A softener fitted on the incoming main stops it at the source.
Keep reading.
Hard water in Herts & Essex
Why our water is so hard, what it does in your home, and how to check your postcode.
Read the guideTypes of water softener, explained
Harvey's, Kinetico, Monarch and Tapworks compared — power, salt and regeneration.
Read the guideWater softeners in Bishop's Stortford
Hard water and softener fitting in Bishop's Stortford.
Read the guideHad enough of
hard water?
Tell us where your stop tap is and send a photo if you can — we'll come back with a fixed quote for fitting a softener.