How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Water Softener?

Water softener installation cost factors

It can be tough to decide on a water softener for your home. In addition to the water softener system cost, there are many factors to consider with water softener replacements. Let’s take a look at the cost of a soft water system, how to install a water softener, and what kind of water softener you need for your home. 

When it comes to water softener replacement cost, the size of your home and your home’s water usage makes a difference. 

House size

While the size of your house can determine what type of home water softener you need, it’s not the square footage that matters. Instead, consider how many water outlets there are in your home. The more water your home uses at once, the bigger your water softener should be. 

You can measure your home’s daily water capacity by testing for water hardness. To do this, send a water sample to a lab for testing, purchase an at-home DIY water testing kit, or get a water quality report from your local water company. 

Where you live

Where you live also makes an impact on the type of water softener system you need. For example, metropolitan areas may charge more for materials, labor, and installation compared to rural areas because of the demand and higher cost of living. 

Plus, your city could have a higher mineral content, which means harder water. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, cities with harder water include Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Tampa. 

Some places require a permit for water softener installation. In addition to a permit, several cities also require a licensed plumber for the installation, as well as an inspection. To find out what your city requirements are, consult a local installer. 

Framing, electrical, and plumbing alterations

It’s possible you’ll need to budget for framing, electrical, or plumbing work for your water softener replacement. Depending on your water main location, you may need to install new plumbing pipes. The cost of new pipes can range from $0.50 to $1.00 per linear foot for standard CPVC. 

Water softening systems also need electricity to run properly. If you don’t already have electricity close to your unit, you may need to hire an electrician to reroute the wiring. This can cost anywhere from $3 to $5 per square foot. 

Lastly, ensuring your home is up to code and can withstand the load of new additions is important. At times, framing needs to be added - if that’s the case, you could be looking at up to $3,750 for the project. 

Type of tank

Another factor to consider is the type of tank you need – a single tank or a dual tank. Single tanks are better for smaller households since they take up less space and cost less than a dual tank. However, single systems often regenerate at night, meaning they shut down to wash out so they can effectively soften water the next day. 

Dual tanks are recommended for larger homes that require access to soft water at all times. The downfall to these types of water softener systems is they take up more space and have higher upfront costs ranging from $950 to $5,000. 

On the flip side, dual tanks have many benefits, such as:

• Constantly offering soft water
• Higher water efficiency with less waste and less salt
• Different types of units, including traditional salt, salt-free, and reverse osmosis 

Labor costs

The cost of labor for water softener installation varies depending on the complexity of your project and if you decide to hire a professional or DIY. On average, you can expect to pay around $150 for a simple, under-the-counter unit and up to $1,000 for a whole-house water softener. 

Service and maintenance costs

There will be service and maintenance costs no matter what kind of water softener replacement you go with. Typical annual maintenance contracts cost approximately $100 to $300 per year and include inspection, flushing and cleaning, and salt refills. 

Additionally, different types of water softening systems - such as ion exchange and reverse osmosis systems - require inspections every two-to-three years. The brine tank needs to be checked every three-to-four months to prevent salt buildup, double-check to make sure the system is working properly, and replenish the salt or potassium. 

Here are the upkeep costs if you learn how to install a water softener and DIY: 

• Water treatment repair: $150 to $900
• Salt: $5 to $10 for every 40-pound bag
• Potassium: $50 to $70 per 40-pound bag
• Resin: $90 to $130 per bag
• Cleaner: $8 to $20 per container
• Rust remover: $5 to $10 per container

Water softener replacement cost by type

The type of water softener replacement matters as well. Costs range between $500 to $6,000, depending on the kind of system. These are the most popular types of water softener systems:

• Ion exchanger: $400 to $1,000 
• Salt-free potassium: $500 to $3,000 
• Well water: $500 to $1,500 
• Magnetic/electronic: $200 to $400 
• Water distiller: $50 to $2,000 
• Reverse osmosis: $100 to $1,800 

Ion exchanger

Ion exchangers, also known as conventional water softeners, are the most common type of water softener system. These systems use salt to trap hard minerals in the resin tank and go through an exchange process to remove them. Ion exchangers require regular salt refills. 

On average, these systems cost between $400 and $1,000, with installation costs ranging from $500 to $3,000. 

Salt-free potassium water softener

Instead of using salt to neutralize hard water ions, salt-free potassium water softeners use potassium to prevent buildup. These systems are safer for septic tanks; however, potassium costs more than salt, so you’ll incur higher operational and up-front costs. 

Salt-free potassium water softeners cost around $500 to $3,000, with installation costs ranging from $800 to $4,000.

Well water softener system

Well water softener systems run from water pumped in from a well rather than a municipal system. Because of the varying filtration, these systems tend to remove more minerals and impurities in the water. Extra filtration includes chemical injectors for chlorine, iron removal, and pre-sediment filters. 

On average, a well water system costs $500 to $1,500 with varying installation costs. The installation cost depends on how many filtration features are needed for your softening system. 

Magnetic/electronic softener cost

As the name suggests, magnetic softeners use magnets to neutralize ions. Magnets are placed around the pipes and prevent buildup. The downside is standing water that doesn’t flush through the system can cause stains, so these types of water softener systems are not recommended for homes with extra hard water. 

These are newer systems that cost between $200 and $400, with installation costs ranging from $200 to $600. 

Water distiller

Water distiller systems create water vapor at near-boiling temperatures to eliminate contaminants like heavy metals, fluoride, and bacteria. While this type of system doesn’t remove all chemicals, they do get rid of minerals and heavy metals to make your drinking water taste better. 

Water distiller systems cost between $50 and $2,000, with installation costs ranging from $150 to $1,500.

Reverse osmosis filtration

Reverse osmosis filtration goes above your average water-softening system. For instance, this system is designed to remove minerals and other harmful contaminants from drinking water. Often used in tandem with other softener components, reverse osmosis filtration is available as an under-sink unit. 

Reverse osmosis filtration costs between $100 to $1,800, with $1,000 to $2,800 for installation. 

Water softener installation: DIY or hire a pro

Water softener replacements don’t often come with step-by-step instructions. Hiring a professional installer is recommended unless you’re highly experienced in under-the-sink installations. 

When it comes to larger water system installations, always hire a local handyman to complete the job. Because of the intricacy of the job - including plumbing, electrical, and possibly framing - a professional is needed to ensure the project is properly completed.