Comparison Chart
1. Water Softeners
AVERAGE cost in 2022: $800 – $2,500
A water softener is a whole house filtration system that helps remove hardness from your water.
Hard water forms when your water supply contains minerals like calcium and magnesium, making it very hard.
When your water softener removes the hard minerals from your water, it’s better for all your pipes and appliances.
This scale buildup can be really hard on your plumbing system and appliances like your coffee maker and dishwasher, causing you to replace them sooner than expected.
PROS:
A water softener solves the following hard water problems:
Using more soap or detergent to work up a lather when you’re bathing or cleaning
Difficulties getting dishes or laundry clean
Damage to your clothing, causing them to wear out prematurely
Scale buildup in your washing machine, dishwasher, water heater and other appliances that use hot water
Dry-feeling skin and hair
Stains in your sink, toilet, shower and bathtub
Plumbing pipe damage due to mineral build-up inside your pipes
CONS:
You need to refill your softener with salt on a regular basis.
The more water your household uses, the more often you will need to replenish the salt.
The home water filtration system cost could add up here, but it’s necessary in homes with hard water.
Here’s how a water softener works
2. Reverse Osmosis Systems
Average Cost in 2022: $200 - $10,000
The price range is pretty wild. Some systems can be purchased for just a couple hundred dollars. On the other hand, certain RO systems sell for over $10,000!
A larger and more complex system is going to cost more than something small and simple, and point-of-use is a huge factor.
Under-sink RO filters are an affordable options, while systems that filter the entire flow of water in the home will cost considerably more.
If you get your drinking water from a private supply like a well, it may be susceptible to microbiological, chemical, or other types of contamination.
A reverse osmosis system removes these harmful contaminants.
PROS:
Here are some other great advantages to installing a reverse osmosis system:
Reverse osmosis removes dissolved solids, salts, minerals that cause hardness, organic chemicals and other impurities.
Improve the taste of water.
Treated water from a reverse osmosis system will not produce scale in kettles and coffee makers.
Remove contaminants such as chromium, mercury and nitrates.
No noise other than the sound of water discharging into the drain (usually a sink or a floor drain).
Don’t need to use salt or potassium chloride to produce soft water, so there are no added ions.
CONS
More expensive than ion-exchange water softeners but much cheaper than distillers.
The membranes used in the filtering process need to be replaced regularly.
Uses more water than other softening systems to operate
REVERSE OSMOSIS UNITS ARE USUALLY MORE EXPENSIVE THAN WATER SOFTENERS
3. Fridge Filters
AVERAGE Cost 2022: $1,600 - $2,500+ (FOR A REFRIGERATOR WITH A WATER FILTER) AND $30 - $100 (FOR REPLACEMENT FILTERS)
The cost of this home water filtration system includes a brand new refrigerator.
The fridge is hooked up to your home's plumbing system so that it has a constant supply of water to dispense.
Water flows through activated carbon that is located inside your fridge filter. The carbon in your filter attract contaminantss that are present in your water much like a magnet attracts metal.
These contaminants will stick to the carbon which successful removes them from your drinking water.
The resulting filtered water now available through your fridge's water dispenser.
PROS:
Fridge water filters are a very convenient and inexpensive way to get filtered water.
CONS:
There’s a high up front home water filtration system cost, and the filters need to be replaced periodically, usually about once a month.
Even though fridge filters are relatively inexpensive to replace, they cannot remove as many substances from your water as a reverse osmosis system can.
A FRIDGE WATER FILTER IS VERY CONVENIENT
4. Tap Filters
AVERAGE cost in 2022: $30 - $100 FOR FAUCET MOUNTED FILTER AND $7-$20 FOR REPLACEMENT FILTERS.
This is a pretty simple, low-cost home water filtration solution.
Purchase a filter that will fit your current tap. Connect your filter to your tap according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Turn on your tap and the water will pass through the filter and remove the contaminants that it is made to remove.
PROS:
Faucet mounted filters are relatively easy to use, install, and clean.
You can remove them and take them with you if you move. They’re a good choice for renters.
CONS:
Faucet mounted filters can be awkward if you want to use your sink as they take up space and stick out from your tap quite a bit. They’re also not very attractive to look at, and they can ruin the look of an otherwise beautiful kitchen sink.
In addition, they can decrease the rate of flow of your water from you tap. And if you have a pull-out, hand-held or spray faucet, you may find it difficult to get one to fit it properly.
Filter your water right from the kitchen sink
5. Simple PITCHER FILTERS
AVERAGE Cost in 2022: $20-$80 (FOR THE PITCHER) AND $6-$10 FOR REPLACEMENT FILTERS
These can be purchased pretty much anywhere.
Choose from small to large-sized pitchers that are equipped with a filter. Fill the pitcher with tap water and place it in your fridge so that it is ready to use when you need it.
PROS:
Pitcher filters are relatively inexpensive to buy and simple to use. There is no installation required.
An average filter will produce the equivalent of about 300 bottles of water.
CONS:
If fridge space is limited in your home, then having to make room for a large pitcher of water could be an issue.
The filters cost between $6-$10 to replace so depending on how much water your family uses, it could get quite expensive.
Once you fill the pitcher you need to wait for it to filter; you can't enjoy your water right away.
keep home water filtration system cost down with a Small, black, Brita 6 cup water pitcher with 1 easy to use filter
CHOOSE WATERSMART To keep A HOME WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM cost down
WaterSmart has been serving the Waterloo region including, Kitchener, Cambridge, Guelph, Brantford, and surrounding areas since 1994.
We can help you select the perfect home water filtration system for your particular needs.
We are committed to helping you improve the quality of your home's water. We live and work in the Kitchener-Waterloo region so we understand the hard water challenges of this area.
We know how to program your water softener for maximum efficiency and are familiar with the types of water softener repairs that you might need.
We also offer other effective whole house water filtration systems like reverse osmosis and fridge filters.
Want to learn more? Contact WaterSmart today to talk to one of our water systems experts.
14-105 Lexington Road, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 4R7
Phone: 519-886-7331
Fax: 519.886.8021
“We’ve had WaterSmart install a RO drinking system, water softener, electric hot water heater and plumbing for a new dishwasher. They do a great job and are efficient & thorough. Thanks guys!”— Sarah Playford