Benefits of Using a Water Softener
It’s low-cost to use a water softener. It consumes less than $3 in electricity annually.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 last longer and help you avoid plumbing clogs.
Clog-Free Plumbing and Fixtures
Soft water helps water flow freely in plumbing. Hard water causes mineral deposits to gather in your pipes and fixtures. This can lead to clogs and decreased water pressure.
Showerheads in homes with hard water can lose 75 percent of their flow rate in shorter than 18 months. Soft water preserves the shine and full flow for faucets and showerheads, nearly as well as the day they were put in.
Soft water is low in minerals. It doesn’t create 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 make 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 regular service or need to be swapped out ahead of time.
Efficient Water Heaters
Soft water protects the efficiency of water heaters.
Gas storage and tankless water heaters using soft water hold on to the factory efficiency rating over a 15-year life span. In comparison, using hard water for a gas water heater can lower efficiency by up to 48 percent.
If you own an electric water heater, up to 30 pounds of rock-like scale can accumulate 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 collect on your skin and in your hair, causing it to dry out. It can also lead to painful razor burn.
Soft water is more efficient at rinsing soap residue, so you’ll have softer skin and glossier hair. Plus, your clothes will look brighter and your dishes will look cleaner.
Less Soap and Cleaning Time
When you have hard water, you have to use more soap for a good lather. The minerals in hard water react with soap. This forms a scum on showers.
With soft water, you won’t need to use as much time cleaning to remove soap scum. You’ll also use less soap.