Do water softeners increase home value
Last updated on: September 1, 2023.
Only a homeowner who has experienced hard water and all its effects on family members and household appliances like washing machines will understand the importance of a water softener, even more so when they live in a region that has high levels of calcium, magnesium, and trace amounts of iron in the water.
While some homes in the suburbs or rural areas use a well and the groundwater for their use, city dwellers get their water supply from the municipalities.
Whatever the water source, hard minerals abound, and homeowners seek a solution to alleviate the problem.
However, installing a water softener can be costly and require plumbing work that will affect home construction. It may not make a difference if you plan to live there permanently.
Some people buy homes as an investment, and others sell their homes either because they are moving up in the world or they need the money. It is at the time of sale that the question of a home’s value comes up. Selling your home would mean selling it along with all your additions, including water softeners or any other whole-house appliance like the HVAC unit.
We will explore the topic in this article to address the all-important question of added value to the property with whole house water treatment systems.
Do water softeners add value to the house?
New buyers may not want to buy a home and then take on the additional cost and effort of installing a water softener. They would rather buy a home that is already fitted with the required amenities so the move can be made effortlessly.
It is more so when the new owners are used to having plenty of softened water and don’t wish to go back to hard water or go to the trouble of softening it for their needs.
Therefore, it is clear that a water softener can add value to the house. You can increase your home’s equity by $5,000 to $10,000 by adding a water softener. However, it is vital that the water treatment system is of good quality and has been maintained properly.
Do you need to get a permit to install a water softener in your house?
Any permanent additions to your home may require a permit. But, in the case of water softeners, where you live will be the deciding factor. Some parts of the country don’t require a permit, but others do.
You can check with the local building department or a homeowners’ association about a permit before investing in a water softener and getting it installed.
6 ways in which water softeners can help you save money:
Water softeners do more than soften water. They help you save money.
1. UTILITIES
An energy-efficient water softener will cut down your utility bills.
2. LONGER-LASTING APPLIANCES
Your household appliances will last longer and require less money for their upkeep.
3. WELL-MAINTAINED PLUMBING
The plumbing system will not need extensive work to remove limescale build-up or replace corroded pipes.
4. MORE ENDURING CLOTHES
Your clothes will last longer as they won’t get frayed or become dull with hard water.
5. LESS CLEANING AND WASHING SUPPLIES
You will spend less money on cleaning supplies, soaps, and shampoos because softened water produces more lather and needs less soap.
6. NO MORE BOTTLED WATER
You will save money with softened drinking water as you won’t need bottled water.
Research shows that a water softener can increase your home’s equity anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000, although exactly how much value it brings may vary.
If you want to add to your home value, here’s a tip. Install the best water softener in the market and let it bring in greater returns.
Best water softeners for homeowners:
Our verdict on the best water softeners for homes is the Whirlpool WHESFC Pro Series.
Whirlpool WHESFC Pro Series – Softener/Whole Home Filter Hybrid for soft water
Our research shows that the best quality water softener for homeowners is the Whirlpool WHESFC Pro Series – Softener/Whole Home Filter Hybrid.
You get a 2-in-1 water softening system because it has a single tank to remove hard minerals. The hybrid water softener has a 31000-grain capacity and can remove 120 grains per gallon and remove traces of iron at 3PPM. It is a smart water softener and uses demand-initiated regeneration technology, saving salt and water.
It is designed, engineered, and assembled in the USA. The best part of this unit is that it doesn’t need replacement filters. The in-built filtration system reduces sediment and removes the taste of chlorine from the water.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What are the benefits of having a water softener in your home?
Having a water softener reduces limescale build-up in water heaters, pipes, and plumbing systems. It also ensures a cleaner kitchen and glassware. It extends the life of household water-using appliances and maintains clothing for a longer time to save money on getting new clothes. It ensures that your skin and hair are not affected by hard water.
Moreover, it helps reduce expenditure on cleaning supplies, soaps, and shampoos.
2. What are the home upgrades that may increase the value of a home?
Several upgrades help increase the value of homes. Some of them include interiors, and others, the curb appeal.
Finishing the basement, changing doors and windows, adding reinforcements to the front door, adding a porch or a new work/ living space, etc., would come under these upgrades.
However, some upgrades involve less maintenance. Replacing the HVAC unit is one. Installing a new water softener is another. Making your home energy-efficient with smart appliances can add great value to the property’s price.
3. Should you invest in a water softener?
Investing in a water softener would come under a personal choice. However, with the increasing levels of hardness in water and your family’s welfare in mind, it is wise to invest.
Water softeners ensure softened water and increase the lifespan of your plumbing system, water fixtures, and other home appliances that use water.
They also reduce the cost of your energy bill, the cost of buying cleaning supplies, and other personal cleaning products.
4. How big of a water softener do you need for your house?
It is quite easy to find out the size of the water softener you need for your house. All you have to do is multiply the number of people living at home by how many gallons of water they use per day.
Once you have that number, you should multiply it with grains of hardness, i.e., PPM, to know how many grains need to be removed per day. You can select the water softener with the required grain capacity based on the final number.
Conclusion
Families install water softeners in their homes because they find the hard water intolerable.
Regardless of hardness levels in the water, you will find that it is noticeable because they show up in white spots on faucets, showerheads, glassware, and your clothes will look more worn out than they should. But it is the scale build-up on water heaters and tarnished fixtures that potential buyers will notice first.
Therefore, it makes sense to install any type of water filtration system, a new water softener or upgrade an existing one not only to enjoy softer water but also to increase the value of your home considerably.
About The Author
Judith— a passionate water treatment specialist — is a wastewater management enthusiast, clean drinking water advocate, and someone with deep personal experience and knowledge about various water equipment. Her work was mentioned in countless notable water associations. Previously she was an editor at Water Alliance.