How much does it cost to run a water softener?
A water softener costs about 0.07¢ per hour, 1.7¢ a day, $0.53 a month and $6 a year at typical use (24 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Electric water softeners use a control valve that draws about 3-6 W continuously plus a little during regeneration, roughly 30-50 kWh a year. Non-electric models like Kinetico use none.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.00 | 0.07¢ | $0.02 | $0 |
| 2 hours | 0.01 | 0.1¢ | $0.04 | $1 |
| 4 hours | 0.02 | 0.3¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| 8 hours | 0.03 | 0.6¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| 12 hours | 0.05 | 0.9¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| 24 hours | 0.10 | 1.7¢ | $0.53 | $6 |
Cost to run a water softener in every state
The same water softener costs $4 a year in North Dakota and $15 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.36 | $4 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.37 | $4 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.40 | $5 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.40 | $5 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.40 | $5 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.41 | $5 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.41 | $5 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.41 | $5 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.41 | $5 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.41 | $5 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.41 | $5 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.45 | $5 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.45 | $5 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.45 | $5 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.45 | $5 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.45 | $5 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.46 | $5 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.47 | $6 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.47 | $6 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.53 | $6 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.60 | $7 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.10¢ | $0.69 | $8 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.10¢ | $0.70 | $8 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.10¢ | $0.71 | $8 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.78 | $9 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.78 | $9 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.82 | $10 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.83 | $10 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.86 | $10 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.86 | $10 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.89 | $11 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.96 | $12 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 0.2¢ | $1.27 | $15 |
How to cut the cost
- Use demand-initiated regeneration rather than timed; it saves salt, water and a little power.
- Set the hardness value correctly so it doesn't regenerate more often than needed.
- Soft water extends water heater life and keeps elements efficient; flush the heater yearly.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Regenerates based on actual water use, cutting salt and water waste.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water softener | 4 | 24 hours a day | $0.53 | $6 |
| Well pump | 1,400 | 1 hour a day | $7.67 | $92 |
| UV water purifier | 40 | 24 hours a day | $5.26 | $63 |
| Electric water heater | 4,500 | 4,500 kWh a year | $67.46 | $810 |
| Video doorbell | 4 | 24 hours a day | $0.53 | $6 |
| Security camera | 5 | 24 hours a day | $0.66 | $8 |
| Smart home hub | 3 | 24 hours a day | $0.39 | $5 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a water softener per hour?
A water softener drawing 4 watts uses 0.00 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.07¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.05¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 0.2¢.
How much does it cost to run a water softener per month?
At typical use (24 hours a day), a water softener costs about $0.53 a month and $6 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a water softener use?
Most water softeners use 0 to 15 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a water softener use?
About 0.10 kWh a day and 35 kWh a year at typical use (24 hours a day).
Does a water softener use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 35 kWh a year it's a small share (0.3%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a water softener or a well pump?
At typical use, a water softener costs about $6 a year versus $92 for a well pump. So the water softener is cheaper by about $86 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a water softener?
- Use demand-initiated regeneration rather than timed; it saves salt, water and a little power.
- Set the hardness value correctly so it doesn't regenerate more often than needed.
- Soft water extends water heater life and keeps elements efficient; flush the heater yearly.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.