Oh, you thought the price tag was it? Nope. Water softeners are like cats: they need ongoing attention—and a little money.
- Salt: You’ll buy bags of salt every few months. Budget $5 to $10 per bag. Depending on your water usage, that’s about $100–$200 a year. Tiny price for silky water.
- Maintenance: Some systems need a yearly check-up or a new filter. That’s $50–$150 annually. Not bad.
- Electricity: Yes, they plug in. But it’s like a nightlight’s worth—about $2 a month. You spend more on coffee.
One more thing: salt-free softeners exist. They cost $800 to $3,000 but don’t use salt. They’re great if you’re on a septic system or just hate the idea of salty water. But they don’t really soften—they “condition” the water. Know your needs!
