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February 13, 2025
Home Water Softener Savings: $1,550 Per Year
Home water softener savings total $1,550 per year vs. hard water. Install WaterTech water softeners and enjoy 75% savings on plumbing and cleaning costs.
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The average American family of 4 saves over $1,550 per year by installing a whole home water softener system. Home water softener savings total roughly $125 per month. The payback period on most water softener systems is 20-26 months.
We interviewed the water softening experts at WaterTech to gain direct data about how much water softeners actually save the average household. They broke down 6 categories where homeowners save money with soft water:
- Plumbing and Appliances
- Home Energy Consumption
- Soaps & Cleaning Aids
- Personal Care
- Clothing and Linens
- Cooking
Water softener installation provides the greatest savings on plumbing, appliance efficiency and cleaning aid purchases. WaterTech estimates the average home spends 75% less per year on each of these costs.
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The Data: How We Calculated Water Softener Savings
WaterTech and Mother Modern Plumbing combined industry data over a 15-year span (2009 to 2023). This data was based on the following criteria:
- An average American household with 4 members
- Average water hardness of 10 grains per gallon (the national hard water standard)
- Data adjusted for minimum yearly inflation
We used this data to calculate the average monthly and yearly household costs of maintenance, appliance operation and cooking/cleaning items.
Then, we compared those numbers with the same average costs of households with whole home water softener systems.
What Does Hard Water Cost Your Household?
A family of 4 living with hard water spends $255.15 per month on plumbing repairs, appliance maintenance, and cooking and cleaning supplies.
Here’s a cost breakdown per month and per year of households with hard water:
The majority of spending was spent on cleaning and cleaning supplies — this includes clothing, dishes and bathing.
Why Does Hard Water Cost More Money?
Hard water creates inefficiency throughout your home. It affects far more than just that “nasty white junk” on your shower heads:
- Limescale and calcium deposits on your faucets and taps
- Reduced water heater efficiency
- Reduced dishwasher and washing machine efficiency
- Pipe and drain clogs caused by mineral deposits
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA.)) calculates the average family of 4 uses 400 gallons of water per day — roughly 12,000 gallons per month. With that much water usage, even a small amount of scaling and blockage compounds your monthly spending.
Softer water offers significant savings by reducing issues caused by hard water minerals.
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Home Water Softener Savings Analysis: $125/month
We compared the cost of water-related household items and repairs after the installation of water softening systems.
By comparison, the average 4-person household with a water softener spends $125.29 per month on plumbing repairs, appliance maintenance, and cooking and cleaning supplies.
That equals a 51% monthly savings vs. households with hard water issues.
Total Household Savings, Hard Water vs. Soft Water
A 4-person American household saves 51% of its annual water-related costs by installing a water softener system. That’s over $1,556 for the average homeowner.
The greatest single-category soft water savings are for plumbing and appliances (75%) and soaps and cleaning aids (75%). These categories alone save American families nearly $400 per year vs. households with hard water.
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Long-Term Savings With a Whole Home Water Softener
WaterTech projects the average U.S. household saves more than $15,600 over a 10-year span by installing a whole home water softener.
These long-term savings are directly tied to reduced appliance wear and tear, as well as a massive savings on soap and detergent.
On average, most homeowners make their money back on water softener installation within 20-26 months of purchase.
Soft Water Reduces Appliance Wear and Malfunction
A Water Quality Association (WQA) study found that exposure to hard water causes appliances to wear out 30% faster than expected.
For dishwashers, washing machines and water heaters, this means a lifespan reduction of 4 years.
Use Less Soap and Detergent With Softened Water
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) states that hard water directly causes soap scum and soap buildup — on your body and in your cleaning appliances.
The average household of 4 saves over $1,000 per year on soap and detergent by using a water softening system.
Whole Home Water Softener Installation: Let’s Save You Money
Whole home water softener installation protects water using appliances from burnout, pipes from scaling and blockage, and reduces the need for soap and detergent purchases.
Mother Modern Plumbing outfits Dallas-Fort Worth homes with state-of-the-art softening systems from WaterTech, one of America’s most trusted brands. We provide free in-home demonstrations of new equipment, plus the best warranty offer in DFW (6 years).
Schedule your residential water hardness testing service today, and discover the best water softening system for your household needs.
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