Are you considering buying a water softener for your house? Are the pipes, fixtures, and appliances in your home suffering from the effects of hard water?
Installing a water softener is the answer to these problems, but there are several factors to take into account first. Understanding which system is ideal for your home’s requirements, what’s needed for continuing maintenance, and the overall expenditures is important, especially if you’re attempting to decide whether to BUY or RENT a water softener.
A water softener is a significant investment, and not everyone believes they can afford to make it. Since a water softener may always be rented, you can take advantage of a water system without spending a lot of money.
We’ll explain why purchasing and owning a water softener makes more sense than renting one in this article. Additionally, you’ll learn about a number of crucial factors you should think about before making your purchase.
Rent or Buy Water Softener?
Particularly if you own a home, hard water might be your biggest enemy. Your home’s equipment, such as washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters, frequently live shorter lives as a result.
Additionally, it contributes to the accumulation of white, chalky limescale around kitchen sinks and faucets and may even clog your pipes, lowering the water pressure in them.
The only method that has been shown to adequately treat hard water is to install a water softener of sufficient grade. Renting makes less sense if you intend to put one of these priceless gadgets in your home than purchasing and owning it.
Purchase or Rental Considerations
Renting has the advantage that there is less commitment if you move or decide you don’t like the type of system that has been built. Additionally, contractual obligations frequently include maintenance and repair fees, so the supplier will send a professional for any potential problems.
Conversely, the latest editions of water softening systems are robust, well-made devices. Because of this, producers are glad to show their faith in a great product by providing extensive warranties.
Renting a new water softener could be a smart alternative if you are unable to make a down payment and do not want to finance one. Remember that if you rent a system, it is probably used equipment, and you won’t know where it originated from or what issues it might have once it is in your area.
Remember that your options will be limited if you decide to rent a water softening system since you are unsure of whether you will like it or how it will help your property.
The initial cost of purchasing a new water softener is its main disadvantage. However, once you pay for a water purification system, you own it.
Financing alternatives are comparable to renting for those who cannot afford to make the required down payment, with the exception that after your payments are finished, you will be the happy owner of superb filtration equipment.
There are hundreds of softening systems available for you to select from, and skilled water professionals will help you every step of the way. You can be confident that your new system will be the ideal remedy for the hard water in your house.
Here’s Why Buying a Water Softener is Better than Renting One
If you rent a water softener for a long time, you’ll probably wind up paying more than you would have if you had bought one initially. Consider that you pay $25 per month to rent a system. It costs $1,000 to buy that system.
You will eventually pay more if you rent that particular softener for at least three and a half years. Even worse, you won’t actually own the system. When maintained properly, a water softener of decent quality can last between 10 and 20 years.
It is very likely that you may receive a used item, which may result in hassles and other problems if it doesn’t function properly.
The company may hold you liable for the cost of repair if the system breaks due to carelessness on your part, personal harm, mishaps, flaws from fire or freezing, or failure to follow usage instructions.
Some leasing agreements for water softeners stipulate that you pay for ongoing maintenance and repairs.
There might not be many rental options available to you. Although there are many various kinds of water softeners available, those utilised by rental firms require the least amount of plumbing system modifications and installation labour.
Sadly, this also means that you might not be able to utilise some of the greatest water softeners available because they need intensive installation and plumbing adjustments that are impractical when you are renting a unit for an unforeseen length of time.
Some landlords won’t let you set up a water softener on their property since doing so puts you at danger of having to pay to have the plumbing line changed or, worse, of being evicted. Remember that installing a softener necessitates cutting into the building’s main water pipe.
Various businesses provide renting programmes with short-term agreements. In other words, if the minimum contract length for the system is 24 months and you wish to stop the contract after, say, six months, you might still be required to pay for the entire 24 months.
Some businesses don’t include maintenance and repairs in their rental costs. You must therefore pay for those costs.
A water softener that you purchase is yours. It is yours. Nobody can take it away from you, therefore you are free to use it whatever you choose whenever you please.
You have access to a larger selection of softener models because there are hundreds of water softeners available for purchase. It’s improbable that you won’t locate the precise one that meets your unique requirements.
The value of your property can go up if you install a water softener. Any prospective buyer looking for safety and comfort in their living area will find it to be a great selling point.
Long-term costs may be lower if you buy a water softener rather than rent one. The maximum lifespan of softeners is 15 years, which is a fairly long time. Renting one for 15 years will probably cost you several times as much as purchasing the system.
Most dealers will provide a money-back guarantee and system warranty when you purchase a softener. These coverages might shield you from maintenance and repair expenses if the softener experiences a problem.
When compared to renting, purchasing and owning a softener entirely offers you a more long-term alternative.
Some dealers let you finance the system with small monthly payments that function like rent. But unlike renting, you’ll probably finish paying off the equipment quickly and own your water softener.
A water softener installation can frequently help you avoid a lot of hassles later on should you decide to sell or move out of your property, including:
- Replacing fixtures and broken appliances like washing machines or dishwashers
- Piping repairs
- Installing new water heaters
Keep in mind that harsh water is merciless! While putting your house on the market and getting ready to move, you don’t want to be spending a lot of money on those things.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Water Softener
Hard Water Level
The last thing you want to do is spend money on a fix for a problem that doesn’t exist. Therefore, you should test your water for hardness minerals to confirm that it is indeed hard before you purchase and install a water softener.
If the test for water hardness is positive, you can install a water softener in your house to shield your plumbing, fixtures, water-using appliances, laundry, hair, and skin from the harm that hard water can do.
Homeowner or Tenant
You are free to install a water softener in your house if you own it. However, if you are a tenant, you cannot put in a water softener without your landlord’s permission.
Perhaps this is due to the fact that, among other things, cutting into the main water line is required to start the softener. Tenants typically aren’t allowed to make alterations to the properties they rent.
Budget
Of course, cost is the most important consideration when selecting a water softener. In light of this, consider if you could comfortably afford to pay for a water softener in full. Keep in mind that some businesses let you “purchase now and pay later” even if you are unable to pay the system’s full price up advance.
In this way, you can get a high-quality softener without succumbing to dangerous debt. Additionally, the guarantee on some softeners provides lifetime coverage for unplanned repairs and replacements.
Type of Water Softener
Salt-free softeners and salt-based softeners are the two types of water softeners that exist. Make sure you are informed of the important distinctions between the two varieties before making your purchase.
Is there enough room in your house for a water softener?
A water softener should be put where it can easily access the home’s main plumbing system and where there is a place for the system’s waste water to be dumped. Because of this, you need make sure your home has enough room for such a system.
Water softeners come in a wide range of sizes, but after installation, there should be adequate room around them for convenient maintenance. Alternatively, you may also consider an outdoor water softener if you don’t have enough space inside your home.
Water Softener Rental Costs
Water softener rental cost varies depending on the system model and the rental company. Depending on the dealer, the size of the system, and other feature-related considerations, water softener leasing rates might range from $20 to $50 per month.
Consult the tenant to learn if the monthly rates include installation as well as ongoing maintenance and repair costs.
What is the cost of buying a water softener?
The softening capacity, size, and features of a water softening system affect its typical cost. A softener can be purchased for between $300 and $600 if you live in a small house with minimal water usage. Since a larger household uses more “soft” water, it may be necessary to install a larger unit if there are more family members living there.
Larger homes need a higher capacity system, which typically costs between $8,000 and $3,000. Some retailers include the installation cost in the list price. Even so, if you have sufficient plumbing skills, you may install the system yourself, or you can engage a local professional plumber.
The majority of softeners are totally automatic, so as long as the water softener installed is sized correctly, they can run for years with little maintenance. This reduces maintenance costs.
The most common type of water softener maintenance involves regularly replenishing the system with the proper salt. Only sal-based water softeners are affected by this procedure.
Final Verdict: Buy or Rent?
It’s tough to say that buying is always better than renting or vice versa because it constantly relies on specific conditions.
However, considering that a decent water softener requires relatively little maintenance and would likely survive for more than 10 years without needing expensive repairs, it makes more sense to buy a water softener than to rent one in the great majority of situations.
The investment will pay off in a little over two years if monthly rental charges are between $20 and $30 USD and a comparable model can be purchased for $600 USD including shipping from an online shop. In addition, the cost-effectiveness of your own water softener increases with time of use.
Renting can be a good option only if you won’t be able to buy a new softener any time soon and it’s crucial to you that you safeguard your plumbing system and home water using appliances from scaling right away, or if you just need a system for a short time.
If you decide to rent from a quality water softener rental company, keep an eye out for rent-to-own offers. If not, you will be paying for a product that you will never own.
Last but not least, why don’t you purchase a hardness test kit and determine the true hardness of your water? Hopefully, this will aid in your decision-making