How much does a Culligan water softener cost

Last updated on: September 1, 2023.

Water softeners are systems that help remove hardness-causing minerals from water. These minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, can cause a variety of problems in the home, including hard water stains on fixtures and appliances, reduced soap efficiency, and build-up in pipes.

A water softener will help to protect your home from these problems and keep your water flowing smoothly. It also helps improve drinking water.

One of the reasons why water softeners have become popular is because of the increasing amounts of hardness-causing minerals and trace amounts of iron in the water supply irrespective of the water source – city water or water from the well. 

Several brands and models of water softeners are available in the market today, each with its unique features and benefits.

Still, almost all of them are known for their quality and reliability, and they come in different sizes to suit your needs

Culligan water softener is one of them. We will discuss Culligan’s unit in this article, its cost, and how it works. You will also read about buying or leasing it for the short term. Culligan’s water softener prices vary based on the model, grain capacity, tank capacity, salt delivery, and size.

How much does Culligan water softener cost?

How much does Culligan water softener cost?

While Culligan is a popular brand, you will need to call the dealer to find its cost. There can’t be a fixed cost, mostly because they vary by unit, model, and size. Before asking for the price, you would need to know details of your requirements, including the level of hardness in the water.

Culligan water softener prices are never displayed on their website. They prefer to send a Culligan water representative to your home to discuss the pros and cons of their various models.

More often than not, people already looking for water softeners may be more easily swayed into making a buying decision when faced with a representative from the nearest local Culligan dealers.

However, you can also find pricing information online by reading about it in this article. The price of a Culligan’s water softener ranges from $1700 to up to $8500. The wide range is more to do with the additional features and advanced technology.

Culligan’s cost includes more than the device. It includes a free water test, professional installation, and other services.  The in-home water test can help you select the type of water softener you need.

How much does it cost to lease a Culligan water softener for your house?

How much does it cost to lease a Culligan water softener for your house?

If buying a Culligan’s water softener is not feasible because it is too expensive, or you live in a rented home, you can always consider leasing or renting a unit. The cost of leasing starts from $49/ month.

All other services from Culligan’s are included, such as the water testing, upkeep, and maintenance of their device. 

How does a Culligan water softener system work?

Culligan’s ion-exchange water softener works by using the ion-exchange process, removing minerals from hard water, such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals can cause a build-up of scale on fixtures and appliances, as well as clothing.

How does a Culligan water softener system work?
Culligan Water Softener

A water softener will also improve soap and detergent efficiency since they will work more effectively in softer water.

The process of removal begins when hard water enters the Culligan unit and passes through resin beads. These beads contain sodium ions, which attract and bind to the hardness minerals. This exchange process continues until the resin is full of hardness minerals and can no longer work effectively.

At this point, the unit goes into regeneration mode, during which salt is used to cleanse the resin beads so they can be reused.

Culligan also offers salt-free water conditioners, ideal for small areas and rentals, cabins, or vacation homes. They solve your water softening needs without taking up the space of installed water softeners.

Experts Review on Culligan Water Softener Systems:

Experts Review on Culligan Water Softener Systems

Culligan is a trusted name when it comes to water softeners. The company has been around since 1936, and its systems are used in homes and businesses all over the world.

Culligan offers a variety of water softener systems to meet the needs of any customer, and a solid warranty backs their products.

The Culligan Gold Series Water Softener is one of the most popular models. It uses salt to remove minerals from hard water, and it can soften up to 80 gallons per minute. This system also features an automatic regeneration cycle that keeps it working efficiently for years.

Another popular model is the Culligan High-Efficiency Water Softener. This system doesn’t use salt, so it’s better for the environment. It can still soften up to 80 gallons per minute, and it has a compact design that makes it easy to install.

If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line water softener, then you need to check out the Culligan Platinum Series Water Softener. This system can soften up to 200 gallons per minute, making it ideal for large families or businesses. It also includes a built-in filter that removes impurities from your water supply.

Culligan’s reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment devices have a reverse osmosis filter to remove hard minerals and can work as a drinking water system.

These reviews give us an understanding of Culligan’s and their different devices. But there may also be a few other factors to consider when deciding on a water softener.

Other experts offer a less favorable review on Culligan’s water softener and its effectiveness on high hardness levels. 

Our Verdict: Are Culligan Water Softeners Worth It? [No]

Our Verdict: Are Culligan Water Softeners Worth It? [No]

​​Our extensive research shows us that a Culligan water softener may not be the best option for you. We have done research on the various water softeners based on water softener costs and performance. While there are several favorable reviews on Culligan’s devices, and comparing water softeners, our verdict is No. It is not worth the price, even if they are ion exchange water softeners or other dual tank water softeners.

Culligan water softener prices are high

Culligan water softener prices are high

Culligan’s water softeners are expensive. A typical Culligan water softener could cost around $2000. That may be too much money for something that may not even work as well as you would like.

Frequent breakdowns

Frequent breakdowns

Second, Culligan water softeners have been known to break down frequently. This means that you could be spending a lot of money on repairs.

Not environmentally friendly

Not environmentally friendly

Third, Culligan water softeners use salt to soften the water, which can cause environmental problems.

Water softening quality

Poor Water softening quality

Finally, many people believe that Culligan’s don’t actually soften the water very well. In conclusion, there are much better options available than Culligan water softeners.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How many years does a Culligan water softener last? 

A new Culligan water softener can be expected to last 10 – 12 years. That is if it is well maintained and serviced regularly.

While Culligan’s devices may not need bi-monthly upkeeps, it is still best if they are inspected every six months to a year.

2. Why do people hate Culligan water softeners?

Customer reviews say that they find Culligan’s water softeners too expensive. The upfront cost is too high, and its operations are also costly.

Many prospective customers also found they were frustrated at not finding prices listed on the Culligan website.

Apart from the cost of the unit, their installation services are costly as Culligan’s water softeners don’t accommodate a DIY. Replacement parts are not cheap either, nor are Culligan-specific water softening salts.

All these are reasons why people hate Culligan water softeners.

3. How often should a Culligan water softener be serviced?

If you want an appliance to last long, it must be serviced regularly and maintained. The same is true of water softeners if you want them to perform optimally. A Culligan water softener works best when serviced once a year.

4. How long does it take to install a Culligan water softener?

Installing a Culligan water softener can take around two hours. The technician will come with the necessary tools and equipment for the installation.

All you need to do is make sure that the area around the location is accessible near the water entry point. 

5. Does Culligan use salt?

While Culligan offers several salt-free water treatment equipment, its salt-based water softeners use salt. Culligan offers its own water softening salt for those salt-based units.    

5. Does Culligan use salt?

Culligan offers a variety of salts for water softeners. The Culligan Pro-Soft water softener salt comes in 50 and 80-pound bags. They also have 44 lbs, which costs around $12.75.

Conclusion

While it is true that several regions across the country are facing hard water problems, and homeowners are eager to buy a basic water softener, they need to gather some pertinent information before making the investment.

They need to know which model will suit their water softening needs and budget. The most expensive water softener is not necessarily the best in the market, and the same is true of the least expensive one.

Articles such as this and a few other customer reviews can help with making a sound decision. Moreover, understanding that most brands have rental options ought to make it easier. 

We aim to give you some data on a particular brand, Culligan’s, as their website does not list prices directly. We have given you a range to give you some understanding of how Culligan’s water softener works and its costs. You may use this as a starting point in your search for the best water softener for your home needs.

About The Author

Our Web Producer

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.