Benefits of Using a Water Softener
It’s low-cost to operate a water softener. It needs less than $3 in electricity per year.2
A water softener only has to have 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 run longer and help you avoid plumbing clogs.
Clog-Free Plumbing and Fixtures
Soft water helps water flow easily in plumbing. Hard water causes mineral deposits to build up in your pipes and fixtures. This can lead to clogs and lower water pressure.
Showerheads in homes with hard water can lose 75 percent of their flow rate in less than 18 months. Soft water preserves the brilliance and full flow for faucets and showerheads, nearly as well as the day they were put in.
Soft water is doesn’t have a lot of minerals. It doesn’t create deposits in pipes or limit 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 make limescale when heated. This can spread over the heating elements in your appliances, decreasing life span and efficiency.
As a result, your appliances may need regular repairs or need to be exchanged earlier.
Efficient Water Heaters
Soft water maintains the efficiency of water heaters.
Gas storage and tankless water heaters running on soft water maintain the factory efficiency rating over a 15-year life span. In comparison, using hard water for a gas water heater can cut efficiency by up to 48 percent.
If you have 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 decrease the life of your heating element, because it has to work longer to heat water.
Soft Skin, Brighter Laundry and Cleaner Dishes
Hard water minerals build up on your skin and in your hair, causing it to become dehydrated. It can also lead to painful razor burn.
Soft water is better at washing away soap residue, so you’ll have softer skin and glossier hair. Plus, your clothes will look more colorful and your dishes will look more flawless.
Less Soap and Cleaning Time
When you have hard water, you have to use more soap for a decent lather. The minerals in hard water react with soap. This makes a scum on showers.
With soft water, you won’t need to spend as much time cleaning to get rid of soap scum. You’ll also use less cleaning supplies.