Water bills have been on the rise in recent years, and although it might seem like your system will go on working regardless of the changing weather conditions or the age of its components, the last thing you need is to end up with a hefty repair bill on top of the utility charges you’re already struggling to pay. It’s therefore never been a better time to take an interest in how water mains work, and start protecting your system – as soon as possible!
in this article
Why Install a Water Softener?
Over time, hard water causes a build-up of dirt, scum and limescale in your system; the calcium and magnesium ions found in this type of water wear away at most metal surfaces, and react negatively to soap that finds its way down the drain. This results in an unwelcome build-up of residue that can’t (for obvious reasons) just be scrubbed clean.
A water softener helps protect your boiler and pipe-work by replacing these harmful ions with neutral, sodium ones, which barely react to the hard water and flush out all the hard minerals that are building up in the system. This will give you back clean, blockage-free pipes that run smoothly and efficiently. A water softener can be installed in any boiler or old hot water tank, and works for up to a year at a time. It sounds like a great investment, but before you make a blind purchase it’s probably good to know: just how much does a water softener cost?
UK Water Softener Prices
The following water softener cost comparison table brings together the various water softener costs for a number of different models and makes, including major brands. This allows you to compare Culligan water softener prices and Hague water softener prices and the different type of units they offer to UK homeowners:
| Manufacturer or Model | Basic Water Softener Unit | Expert Water Softener Unit | Water Softener Installation Cost |
| Pure-Choice | £395 to £900 | £900 to £2,000 | £1,450 |
| Culligan | £550 to £650 | £1,160 to £1,500 | £1,000 |
| Hague | £570 | £1,590 | £900 to £1,230 |
Of course, these prices are just estimates, and for more specific water softener prices or the cost of installing a water softener you should get in touch with a local or national contractor. They will usually be able to provide a free quote based on the size of your home, the type of boiler you have and whether you live in a soft-water or hard-water area. The bigger the water system, the higher the water softener system costs.
Water Softener Salt Prices
The cost of water softener ultimately depends, however, on how much salt you will need over the annual period; the larger the home and the system, the more salt needs to be poured into the softener unit to maintain the correct level of sodium ions. Obviously the final charge will therefore continue to increase year-on-year, depending on water softener salt prices and how much you need to purchase. In the long run, however, you are sure to save money on reduced repair and maintenance bills; water softener ensures the regularity of the system, and ultimately keeps things running smoother for longer.
Sources: Pure-Choice, Culligan, Hague. Prices are accurate as of December 2012.