Are you considering a water softener for your home? You’re not alone. Studies from British Water show that over 60% of homes in the UK are supplied with hard water from their mains supply, which means the majority of people can benefit from installing a water softener. Contrary to popular belief softening your water does not need to be expensive, high maintenance, or complicated. Let’s explore some of the different things you should consider.
Quick Facts About Water Softening
- The average 4 person household could save upwards of £200 a year by installing a water softener
- Over 60% of homes in the UK are supplied with hard water from their water supplier
- Homes in hard water areas accumulate up to 70kg of limescale every year
- Just 1.6mm of limescale can cause a 12% loss in boiler heating efficiency
- Softened water saves up to 50% on the use of washing powder and soaps
Choosing The Right Water Softener For Your Home
Whether you’re looking to soften all of the water that comes into your property or for a compact solution to de-scale one appliance, here are some things to consider when choosing the best water softener for your home. You’ll be pleased to know that it’s a relatively straightforward process that involves just a few considerations.
- Water Usage – It is best to consider the size of the property (number of bedrooms and bathrooms) as well as how many people usually live in, or use the property daily. Studies show that an average person uses 250 litres of water per day, so you can easily work out your typical water usage with this calculation (250 x People In Household = Total Litres Per Day). All of our systems quote capacities in both the number of occupants and volume of water before regeneration, to help with this decision-making process.
- Water Hardness – If you are unsure of your water hardness then you can check with your local water provider, or get an idea from our locations with hard water page. A specific water hardness figure is important as this information is useful to ensure your water softener is programmed as efficiently as possible. Effective programming increases operational efficiency, reducing the amount of salt and water required to soften your water.
- Installation Location – It may sound obvious but you need to make sure you have space to install your water softener in a suitable location. Suitable locations include underneath a sink or in a utility room, close to where water enters your property. The system will require access to your incoming water feed, a drain and a power source if you choose a mains-operated system (non-electric systems are also available). Finally, it needs to be easily accessible so you can top up the salt as and when when required.
It is handy to note that the average person uses approximately 250 litres of water per day. This includes for drinking, washing, laundry and cleaning.
Common Home Water Softener Questions
How Much Does A Water Softener Cost?
The cost of the unit itself will of course vary depending on the type and size. As we pride ourselves on transparency, all of our prices are clearly displayed on our website. Unlike other home appliances, our range of Domestic Water Softeners can pay back the original cost in savings within just 2-4 years by protecting and increasing the lifespan of home appliances and kitchen/bathroom equipment. You can also expect lower heating bills and a reduced spend on soaps, detergents and cleaning products.
How Much Does It Cost To Install?
When it comes to installing a water softener you can either pay for a plumber to install it for you or install it yourself. All of our models have comprehensive instructions included, so firstly you may want to read the installation manual before making the decision to go DIY or get a plumber in. Depending on your plumbers rate, a water softener installation is usually between £150-350 however the cost will vary from plumber to plumber, especially if access to the mains inlet in your property is poor and if the install is particularly challenging (i.e. in a difficult location).
If I Move House Can I Take My Water Softener With Me?
Yes! Removing your water softener is as easy as removing a dishwasher or washing machine. However, if you do decide not to take it with you then there is evidence that having a water softener installed can help to sell your home as the buyer can be assured that you have taken measures to protect hot water systems, appliances and your taps and shower screen will be shiny and scale-free.
Should I Leave A Hard Water Outlet For Drinking?
It is up to you, but we would generally recommend leaving either a hard water line for drinking or using Reverse Osmosis for purification. Most of our customers prefer the installation of a reverse osmosis system over leaving a single outlet fed by hard water (which is usually a kitchen tap) as that way they can be sure that water used for cooking or to fill the kettle is soft but with a low sodium content ensuring the water is safe for everyone to drink. For the majority of adults, drinking softened water will have no health consequences, however for the extremely young and old or immuno-compromised, there may be.
Selecting A Water Softener
We are proud to offer a comprehensive range of quality Domestic Water Softeners manufactured from WRAS approved materials. Once you have understood the considerations detailed above, it should be easy to choose a system that is right for you. To make things as easy as possible we have broken down each model according to the recommended number of occupants within your home, just choose from the list below to view each relevant option.
If you are still unsure or want to double-check your selection with one of our experts, then please do not hesitate to get in touch with our team on 01622 933 853 or start a live chat.