Benefits of Using a Water Softener
It’s economical to use a water softener. It uses less than $3 in electricity year-round.2
A water softener only requires 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 freely in plumbing. Hard water causes mineral coatings to gather in your pipes and fixtures. This can lead to clogs and reduced water pressure.
Showerheads in homes with hard water can lose 75 percent of their flow rate in less than 18 months. Soft water maintains the brilliance and full flow for faucets and showerheads, nearly as well as the day they were added.
Soft water is low in 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 become warm. This can coat the heating elements in your appliances, lowering life span and efficiency.
As a result, your appliances may need regular repairs or need to be exchanged ahead of time.
Efficient Water Heaters
Soft water protects the efficiency of water heaters.
Gas storage and tankless water heaters running on 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 cut efficiency by up to 48 percent.
If you use an electric water heater, up to 30 pounds of rock-like scale can pile up in the tank from hard water. The scale is a poor heat conductor. It can shorten 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 accumulate on your skin and in your hair, triggering it to look dull. It can also lead to painful razor burn.
Soft water is better at rinsing soap residue, so you’ll have silkier skin and shinier hair. Plus, your clothes will look more colorful and your dishes will have fewer spots.
Less Soap and Cleaning Time
When you have hard water, you have to use more soap for a satisfactory lather. The minerals in hard water react with soap. This makes 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.