Benefits of Using a Water Softener
It’s economical to operate a water softener. It consumes less than $3 in electricity per year.2
A water softener only needs about 2.5 pounds of salt. That’s 80 percent less salt than dial-style softeners.
Soft water can make cleaning take less time, help your appliances last longer and help you avoid plumbing clogs.
Clog-Free Plumbing and Fixtures
Soft water helps water flow easily in plumbing. Hard water causes mineral coatings to accumulate in your pipes and fixtures. This can create clogs and decreased water pressure.
Showerheads in homes with hard water can lose 75 percent of their flow rate in less than 18 months. Soft water keeps the brilliance and full flow for faucets and showerheads, nearly as well as the day they were installed.
Soft water is doesn’t have a lot of minerals. It doesn’t leave deposits in pipes or restrict water flow in fixtures.
Longer-Lasting Appliances
Over time, hard water can cause minerals to accumulate in your washing machine and dishwasher.
The mineral deposits in hard water form limescale when they get hot. This can cover the heating elements in your appliances, reducing life span and efficiency.
As a result, your appliances may need frequent repairs or need to be exchanged earlier.
Efficient Water Heaters
Soft water preserves the efficiency of water heaters.
Gas storage and tankless water heaters using soft water keep the factory efficiency rating over a 15-year period. In comparison, using hard water for a gas water heater can cut efficiency by up to 48 percent.
If you use an electric water heater, up to 30 pounds of rock-like scale can build up in the tank from hard water. The scale is a poor heat conductor. It can reduce the life of your heating element, because it has to work harder to heat water.
Soft Skin, Brighter Laundry and Cleaner Dishes
Hard water minerals collect on your skin and in your hair, causing it to dry out. It can also lead to painful razor burn.
Soft water is better at rinsing soap residue, so you’ll have smoother skin and sleeker hair. Plus, your clothes will look less faded and your dishes will have fewer spots.
Less Soap and Cleaning Time
When you have hard water, you have to use extra soap for a decent lather. The minerals in hard water react with soap. This creates a scum on sinks.
With soft water, you won’t need to spend as much time cleaning to remove soap scum. You’ll also use less detergent.