Benefits of Using a Water Softener
It’s economical to run a water softener. It needs less than $3 in electricity annually.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 easier, help your appliances work longer and help you avoid plumbing clogs.
Clog-Free Plumbing and Fixtures
Soft water helps water flow smoothly in plumbing. Hard water causes mineral coatings to build up 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 fewer than 18 months. Soft water keeps 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 form limescale when they get hot. This can coat the heating elements in your appliances, lowering life span and efficiency.
As a result, your appliances may need repeated repairs or need to be swapped out earlier.
Efficient Water Heaters
Soft water maintains the efficiency of water heaters.
Gas storage and tankless water heaters operating on soft water hold on to the factory efficiency rating over a 15-year period. In comparison, using hard water for a gas water heater can lower 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 decrease the life of your heating element, because it has to work more to heat water.
Soft Skin, Brighter Laundry and Cleaner Dishes
Hard water minerals collect on your skin and in your hair, making it look dull. It can also contribute to painful razor burn.
Soft water is more efficient at rinsing soap residue, so you’ll have softer skin and sleeker hair. Plus, your clothes will look more colorful and your dishes will look cleaner.
Less Soap and Cleaning Time
When you have hard water, you have to use extra soap for a satisfactory lather. The minerals in hard water react with soap. This forms a scum on tubs.
With soft water, you won’t need to use as much time cleaning to get rid of soap scum. You’ll also use less soap.