Benefits of a Water Conditioning System

Woman hand's filling the glass of water.

Every home depends on a constant supply of water. Whether it’s to shower, wash our clothes, clean our dishes or quench our thirst. We use water like a tool, but rarely do we stop to think that there may be ways to make that tool more efficient.

Roughly 85 percent of homes in the U.S. depend on a hard water supply, according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Water is very good at holding things, either by dissolving them or suspending them. While water is in the ground it picks up minerals like calcium and magnesium, which make our water hard.

Hard water can make our water supply a less effective tool in the home, causing damage as well as other household nuisances. By investing in a water softener you can eliminate many of the issues caused by hard water.

How Does A Water Softener Work?

A water softener is an appliance that attaches to your home’s water supply system. A water softener replaces those hard minerals with something else, in most cases sodium, which reduces the amount of hard water flowing through your pipes.

Salt-Free vs. Salt-Based Water Softeners

If adding sodium into your water supply is a risk health-wise for your loved ones, there is another option. Salt-free systems are often called “water conditioners.” They do not require salt or hard chemicals to run. Instead, they alter the chemical structure of water minerals through the descaling process. The main concern with salt-free systems is that they are not as effective in places where water sits, like in your water heater, whereas salt-based systems are.

Now that you’ve learned a bit about water softeners as well as your options, let’s review the many benefits of installing a water softener.

Less Soap Scum

Cleaning isn’t easy when forced to use hard water. Soaps and detergents lose their effectiveness by combining with the minerals in your water to form coagulated soap curd that gets left behind after washing. This is what leaves behind white spots, streaks, and residue on your dishes, tubs, showers, and faucets. It also dulls your hair and clothing by leaving behind icky residue.

By installing a water softener you’ll actually be able to use less soap as it increases in effectiveness. Your hair, skin, and clothes will feel softer and look brighter. Your dishes, sinks, and tubs will be shiny and clean.

Longer Living Appliances & Plumbing

The calcium and magnesium in hard water can build up over time inside of your appliances and your plumbing system. This buildup works to decrease efficiency, as well as shorten the lifespan of both your plumbing and appliances like your washing machine, water heater and even your coffee machine.

Energy Efficient

Installing a new appliance may not seem like the way to save energy, but a water softener will reduce the energy spend throughout your home. Soft water heats faster than hard water, increasing the efficiency of your water heater, which in turn uses less energy. It also increases the lifespan of your appliances, which conserves raw materials and the energy used in manufacturing. Over time water softeners have become even more efficient and are able to use up to 75% less salt than original models. This makes water softeners a great option not just for your wallet but for the environment too.

Bonus: Better Tasting Food & Water

Not only can a water softener save you money, time, and energy, it can also make your meals taste even better. By removing the hard minerals from your water, you’ll allow the natural flavor of food to come out, making your meal even better.

Contact your local plumber here at Ranck to start improving your home’s water supply today!

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