8 Benefits of Installing a Water Softener System

Approximately 85% of homes in the United States rely on a hard water supply. The term "hard water" constitutes any water supply containing excess mineral particles of iron, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, limestone, and lead. It could also be water contaminated by waste materials from sewerage or industrial run-off depending on the location.

Though hard water is not literally unsafe, it"s not the best water for your home, as it can cause various problems related to cleaning and appliance use. Fortunately, it"s possible to eliminate these impurities contained in hard water through a process called water softening. The process entails removing or diluting the mineral concentrations in hard water, and in some systems replacing them with softer minerals like potassium and sodium.

Soft water has many benefits such as increasing the life span of your appliances and eliminating the build-up of scale in your bathtubs and sinks. However, there"s still more to water softening, as discussed below.

1.  Easier Cleaning

Dishes and clothes washed in hard water could end up having white streaks, spots, or soapy residue on them. Softening your water will make rinsing soap residue more thorough so that your clothing and dishes as well as your skin and hair will look and feel much cleaner after washing. Soft water also lowers the amount of soap or detergent needed for cleaning, which over time can add up to significant savings on the expenses for these products. And with soap film and scum behind you, you will find that your sinks, bathtubs, and showers stay cleaner for longer, and are much easier to maintain.

2. Less Regular Plumbing Repairs

If you have a hard water supply in your home, you are more likely to have more frequent plumbing repairs due to clogging problems. And regardless of how often you fix them, they"ll keep on clogging. The calcium and magnesium minerals contained in the water is to blame, as these tend to form particles that block the water supply.

The frequent damage to the water system and the poor water supply caused by the accumulation of mineral buildup in the piping can be alleviated by installing a water softener system. The system will convert hard water from the main supply into soft water and eliminate the minerals that damage your plumbing. Besides this, it helps to keep the system clean for longer, which means fewer recurrent repairs.

3. Less Maintenance for Water Appliances

The appliances in your home that use water, such as dishwashers, humidifiers, and washing machines usually have their expected lifespan. However, using hard water on these appliances can take a toll on their expected lifespan. Just as with the plumbing systems, minerals contained in hard water can build up inside these appliances and not only reduce their lifespan, but also decrease their overall efficiency.

Installing a water softening system can extend the life of your home appliances, which will save you money by having to repair or replace them less frequently. Long lifespans for such appliances are also beneficial to the environment by decreasing waste and conserving the energy and raw materials required for manufacturing.

4. Your Water Tastes Much Better

What if everyone could drink water straight from their faucet without risking their health? Although there are some people who don"t mind drinking the unpurified water, others opt not to do so because of the rather not-so-good taste and smell. This is because their water contains some minerals that produce a horrid taste and smell. It could also be due to the detritus and filth from these minerals that have formed over time.

A whole house water softener can make your water taste better and remove any unpleasant smell or taste. It will ideally cancel out the mineral contents and to produce odorless and great tasting drinkable water.

5. Makes Watering Plants Much Easier

The chlorine content in water drives many gardeners nuts, especially if they need to use the water for delicate plants. If you"re looking to water your houseplants with tap water, you may often have to let the water sit in an open container for at least 30 minutes before the chlorine drifts away. Otherwise, your lilies and other delicate plants will get a dose of chemicals each time you water them. Having a water softener system will essentially remove chlorine from the water, enabling you to water your plants straight from the tap.

6. Quicker Water Heating

Soft water is heated more quickly in hot water heating systems than hard water. In fact, using soft water in your water heaters can increase their efficiency by 22% (electric heaters), and by 29% for gas-powered heaters. The improved efficiency translates into less energy consumption and therefore reduced utility bills. This can be beneficial for both residential heating and cooling systems as well as commercial heating systems that require a consistent heating system to keep their operations and machines at optimal conditions.

7. Lowers the Risk for Skin Diseases

Soft water has been shown to produce positive results for the skin. It gives your skin a fairly soft feel, and keeps your body being attacked easily by the common skin irritants that cause minor skin diseases. It also cuts downs the incidences of psoriasis and eczema, especially in children. Several studies have also indicated that soft water helps to prevent dry skin conditions and helps make the skin clearer and suppler.

8. It Takes Two Years to Recoup your Investment

When you get a water softener system installed in your home now, you can recoup your investment in about 2 to 4 years. Based on previous data, you can save a lot of money with the softeners in terms of repairs, maintenance, replacements, utility bills, soaps, etc. All these can add up to the money you paid for the installation simply through the overhead and cost savings. This is one of the reasons why you should consider installing a water softener for your home.

If you think your home could benefit from a water softener system, it"s best to work with a professional installation service. Be sure to learn how hard the water in your area is, and research the various companies and water softener for sale. Ensure that the installation company is reputable, provides a money-back guarantee, and has certified installers.