Running costs
Softener salt vs potassium chloride cost
Sodium chloride costs about $5 to $10 per 40 lb bag. Potassium chloride costs $25 to $70, depending on the source, and you need more of it.
| Sodium chloride | Potassium chloride | |
|---|---|---|
| 40 lb bag | $5 to $10 | $25 to $70 |
| Efficiency | Baseline | 15 to 30 percent less |
| Adds to water | Sodium | Potassium |
Most homes use sodium chloride. People on a sodium-restricted diet should talk to their doctor, and can use reverse osmosis at the kitchen tap. Estimate your yearly salt cost.
Sources: Angi, University of Minnesota, Inch Calculator.
These are published ranges and general guidance, not quotes. In the Bay Area, Soft Patagonian offers free water tests.
Quick answers
Is potassium chloride better than salt for a water softener?
It adds potassium instead of sodium, but it costs several times more and is 15 to 30 percent less efficient, according to University of Minnesota research.
How much sodium does a softener add?
University of Minnesota Extension notes the amount is small compared with the salt in a typical daily diet. A reverse osmosis system at the kitchen tap removes it from drinking water.