What is the environmental impact of a water softener?

In this blog, you can read about the environmental benefits of a water softener and how much it costs. The short answer: on balance, a water softener is good for the environment. The savings on chemicals, energy and the replacement of appliances more than offset the limited additional use of salt, water and electricity required by the water-softening process itself.

Does a water softener mean you need to use fewer chemical cleaning products?

Limescale binds to washing powder, shampoo and cleaning products, meaning you need to use more of them to achieve the same result. Softened water contains no limescale, so you need to use less of all these products and can even stop using chemical descaling agents altogether – for your coffee machine or kettle, for example. This makes a difference not only in your home, but also in the amount of chemicals that end up in the sewers via your waste water. You can read exactly how this works on our page about Less soap, shampoo and cleaning products thanks to soft water.

Does a water softener save energy when used with water heaters and central heating boilers?

Limescale acts as an insulating layer on heating elements, for example in your Quooker, kettle, central heating boiler or hot water tank. As a result, these appliances have to work harder to reach the same temperature. Softened water prevents this limescale build-up, which can result in energy savings of up to around 10% on these appliances. In our blog about the consequences of limescale You can read more about what difference this can make to your energy bill in practical terms.

Do household appliances last longer with a water softener?

Yes, and that’s an aspect of the environmental impact that’s often overlooked. Limescale causes heating elements and pipes to wear out more quickly, meaning appliances such as your washing machine, dishwasher and Quooker need to be replaced sooner. Softened water prevents this wear and tear, meaning appliances last longer. Fewer replacements mean fewer raw materials and less energy are needed to produce new appliances. You can read more about this on our page featuring the benefits of a water softener.

Is the salt consumption of a water softener bad for the environment?

The use of a water softener goes hand in hand with the use of salt, but that in itself is not harmful to the environment. In the winter of 2014–2015, some 100 million kilograms of road salt ended up on the streets, without this causing any environmental problems. An average family uses between 50 and 75 kilograms of salt per year for their water softener – a fraction of that amount. There is therefore no environmental problem whatsoever.

In short, the salt consumption of a water softener is not a cause for environmental concern.

In short, it’s good for the environment

In short: a water softener uses a little extra salt, water and electricity, but that pales into insignificance compared to the benefits it brings. Fewer chemicals, a lower energy bill and appliances that last longer. On balance, that’s simply a win for the environment.