Water Softeners - Worth It?

[matchstickmoocow]

The limescale in our area seems to be getting worse and worse every year! I'm so sick of seeing the wear & tear on my appliances, not to mention skin/hair etc.

Has anyone installed water softeners?? What was approx cost? What supplier did you use?

Was it worth it?

[lillipilli]

our area is really severe for hard water so cannot live without one really. So my answer is yes, totally worth it. We had one from previous owners from Harvey’s (block salt) and it was great. Now changed to kinetico but it’s only been a week or so so can’t comment. I prefer models that do not require electricity but otherwise there’s plenty of choice - look at big brands like BWT, Harvey’s/culligan etc. they vary in prices a lot

[lillipilli]

For one with electricity you are looking around £600 mark, non-electrical would be double that

[thenightsky]

I wouldn't go back to not having one. Terrible hard water here in Lincolnshire. Now my appliances live longer and the shower screen stays clear and I'm not chipping stalactites off the taps and ruining the chrome any more. I keep one little tap for hard water in the utility room though as I prefer it for tea making. We got our ages ago so I can't remember the cost, but it was a kenetico from a local company in Lincoln and I can use any make of salt block in it. Usually buy Harvey as they're a bit cheaper

[FinallyHere]

Absolutely. Had a water softener since mid 1980's in Thames Valley. Would t be without it.

They provided a separate tap for unsoftened water in the kitchen, with a filter.

Saves a fortune on bottled water

[Oblomov22]

Had a Harvey's Water softener in Surrey for 20+ years. Big old thing under the kitchen sink. Wouldn't be without it.

[GeneralMelchetsMoustache]

What does softened water taste like? I've heard it's awful but don't think I've ever tried it.

[iwantabreakfastpantry]

Can you install one water softener thing to work on the whole house or do you need to install a separate one in each room?

[FinallyHere]

I would say softened water tastes unpleasant. In our installation, water to the kitchen tap is not softened.

We mostly drink filtered water from a separate tap which includes a filter (renewed annually) which was put in as part of the installation. Filtered water is great.

[Bluevelvetsofa]

We’re in a very hard water area and a water softener makes such a difference. No limescale on taps, shower screens etc. Kinetico, I think, but it was a while ago. We’ll replace it when it gives up.