Water Softening: Worth The Investment

For some people, the idea of adding a water softening unit to their home seems like a luxury: something nice but certainly not necessary. In reality, a water softener may be able to save you money by eliminating the many problems that hard water causes. Soft water will also benefit your appearance. Those who invest in water softening soon find that it is something they cannot live without.

Plumbing

Because hard water contains high levels of minerals such as iron and calcium, it can cause buildup in your pipes and fixtures. Water softeners either eliminate or greatly reduce these minerals so that your water does not leave harmful deposits in your plumbing. If hard water is not treated, the buildup can shorten the life of your pipes by contributing to their corrosion and sometimes causing your system to clog. Research has shown that hard water can ruin a shower head in as little as two years.

Energy

Adding a water softening system to your home can also save money on energy. Hard water causes your appliances to "strain," meaning they use more energy. For instance, a gas water heater loses four percent of its efficiency when only five grains per gallon of water hardness is present. As a result, you will pay four percent more in energy bills for every 50 gallons of water use.

Skin and Hair

Your appearance also suffers when you are dealing with hard water. The deposits build up on your skin and hair, keeping much needed moisture out and leaving them dull and dingy. Hard water has been found to trigger eczema in some instances. It also causes the little scales on your hair shaft to stand out, making your hair feel rough. Soaps do not work well with hard water because the minerals stop them from lathering properly. If you notice that your hair and skin look better when you are traveling than when you are at home, the change is probably due to softer water.

Investing in a water softening system will make your life more comfortable while saving you money and helping to preserve the health of your plumbing system. Your skin and hair will look better, and you will also notice a reduction of unsightly buildup on your plumbing fixtures. Hard water affects your life in many more ways than you may believe. Consult with a water softening specialist like Anderson Water Systems to find out how adding a system to your home will benefit you.