Whole-House Water Filtration Cost of Ownership

Plan the payback of a whole-house water filtration system by mapping upfront cost, annual maintenance, and the bottled water spend you will eliminate. Enter installation cost, yearly upkeep, current monthly spend, and the expected lifespan to see lifetime savings and the months required to recover the investment.

Total turnkey cost to buy and install the filtration system.
Filters, media, service calls, and upkeep you expect each year.
Average monthly cost for bottled water, jugs, or delivery you plan to replace.
Number of years you plan to run the system before major replacement.

Estimates ignore potential rebates, warranties, or property value impacts. Validate maintenance schedules with your installer.

Examples

  • $3,200 install, $280 annual upkeep, $95 monthly spend, 10-year life ⇒ Ownership costs $6,000.00 over the decade versus $11,400.00 on bottled delivery. Monthly savings of $71.67 repay the upfront outlay in about 44.67 months, producing $5,400.00 lifetime savings.
  • $1,850 install, $180 annual upkeep, $45 monthly spend, 8-year life ⇒ Total ownership runs $3,290.00 versus $4,320.00 staying with deliveries. With $30.00 in monthly savings, the system pays back in roughly 61.67 months and saves $1,030.00 overall.

FAQ

Should I include electricity for pumps or UV lights?

Yes. Add expected electricity or salt costs into the annual maintenance input so the ownership total reflects all utilities.

How do I factor in financing charges?

If you finance the system, add the total interest to the system purchase input or increase annual maintenance to cover loan payments.

What lifespan should I use for carbon or mixed-media systems?

Most whole-house filters last 8–12 years before major media replacement. Use the conservative end of manufacturer guidance for more reliable budgeting.

Can I compare multiple scenarios?

Yes. Run the calculator with alternate maintenance costs or monthly spend levels to see how different usage patterns affect savings and payback.

Additional Information

  • Payback months divide the upfront installation cost by net monthly savings after maintenance.
  • Lifetime savings compare total ownership cost to staying on bottled or delivery service for the entire lifespan.
  • Annual maintenance costs are multiplied by the lifespan to capture filter, media, and service expenses.
  • If monthly savings are zero or negative, the calculator flags that the system will not repay its upfront investment.

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