Running costs are about $5–$15 per month for salt pellets. That’s less than a fancy coffee run. You’ll need to refill the brine tank every few months—a 15-minute task. That’s it. No special filters, no complicated rituals.
For salt-free systems (often called “descalers”), maintenance is even lower—no salt to buy, just a cartridge replacement every 6–12 months. The trade-off? They don’t remove hardness completely, but they prevent scale. Both are valid paths to a happier home.
Let’s be real: the biggest “cost” is just deciding to do it. Once you do, your life gets a little softer and a lot more fun.
