6 guides
Whole house water guides
Short answers first, then the details: what these systems cost to buy and run, which problem each one solves, and how to read your water test before you spend a dollar.
CostsWater softener installation cost in 2026Water softener installation cost in 2026: about $1,500 on average per Angi, $150 to $1,000 of labor, plus what drives the bill up and what salt costs each year.Read the guide →CostsWhole house water filter cost: system, install and five years of filtersWhole house water filter cost in 2026: $370 to $3,498 for the system in our data, $200 to $600 to install, and five-year totals that include every cartridge.Read the guide →ChoosingWhole house water filter vs water softener: which one do you need?Whole house water filter vs water softener: a filter removes chlorine, sediment or iron, a softener removes hardness. How to tell which problem you have, and when you need both.Read the guide →ChoosingSalt-free vs salt-based water softener: what each one really doesSalt-free vs salt-based water softener: only salt-based systems remove hardness; salt-free conditioners reduce scale with no salt, drain or power. Costs, limits and who each suits.Read the guide →Well waterHow to remove iron (and the sulfur smell) from well waterHow to remove iron from well water: test first, then match the treatment to your iron level, from cartridges under 3 ppm to air injection up to 30 ppm. Sulfur smell included.Read the guide →OwnershipHow long does a water softener last?How long does a water softener last? Resin typically 10 to 15 years, less with chlorine or iron; valves and tanks per their warranties. Signs it is failing and what replacing costs.Read the guide →