Operating Cost
What does owning a tank actually cost?
Salt, electricity, filters, water changes. The numbers most home tank brochures bury or skip. Adjust to your local rates.
Your tank
Full water change frequency
Annual operating cost
$844
Per year
$70
Per month
$4,222
5-year total
Where the money goes
Salt top-ups (attrition)
30 lb/yr lost to splash & towels
$21
2%
Salt for water changes
1100 lb tank, amortized across change cycle
$385
46%
Electricity (heater)
1.8 kWh/day at $0/kWh
$105
12%
Filter cartridges
6 cartridges/yr at ~$32 each
$192
23%
UV bulb replacement
Annual replacement
$140
17%
Water + sewer
215 gal per change
$1
0%
Where to cut
- •Buy salt by the pallet. 2,000 lb pallets from SaltWorks or Bulk Apothecary land near $0.60/lb shipped. Retail Epsom at the drugstore is 3-4x more.
- •Insulate the lid + floor. Heat loss is 60% of electricity cost. A reflective lid cover and 2" foam under the tank cuts the heater duty cycle 30-40%.
- •Set heater to 93.5°F, not 95°F. Skin temp varies; you'll feel the same and save ~$60/year on electricity at average rates.
- •Shower thoroughly pre-float. Sounds obvious. Most filter wear is from skin oils and hair products. Doubles cartridge life.
- •Test before changing water. If salinity is at spec and the water is clear, a top-up beats a full change. Annual full changes are conservative for solo use.
Last updated: April 2026. Estimates are averages and assume a single-user household with normal hygiene practices. Commercial-volume tanks (multiple floats per day, multiple users) need different math — check tank manufacturer specs. We don't sell tanks, salt, or hardware. Numbers shift with shipping zone, local water/sewer rates, and lid/insulation quality.
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