Soft Water vs. Hard Water
Before we dive into the differences between hard and soft water, let’s take a moment to touch on what hard water is and why you may not want it in your home. Hard water is water that is high in mineral deposits, such as magnesium carbonates and calcium. It gets its richness in minerals by passing through limestone, chalk, or gypsum in the earth. Hard water is not a hazard to your health, but it can have some unsavory effects on things around your home. Some of the side effects of hard water are mineral build-up on fixtures throughout your home, spots on dishes and in sinks, shorter appliance life, and dull or scratchy clothing.
Hard Water on Your Body
The effects of hard water on your body become more noticeable with persistent contact. Dry, itchy, or irritated skin. It can also cause clogged pores which leads to acne. Hard water is especially problematic for people who have skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis. Those with sensitive skin could experience irritation as a result of hard water. Not only does it leave behind the aforementioned soap scum on your skin, it can also fail to lather up and leave lingering detergent when you do laundry that can cling to clothes and irritate skin. Hard water is also a culprit in hair loss, due to the magnesium, calcium, and silica that lead to dry hair that will easily break. Hard water also leads to dandruff and destroys your hair follicles.
Hard Water on Your Appliances
Hard water will cause mineral build up around water fixtures overtime. Not only is mineral build-up around water fixtures and faucets unsightly, it has the potential to restrict the flow of water. A water softener works to extend the life-span and efficiency on all of your water-using appliances by preventing scale from building up in your water heater, washing machine, dishwasher, and other water-using appliances. The Water Quality Association (WQA) research indicates hard water damage takes years off the life of dishwashers and washing machines. Having a water softener in your home helps protect these costly appliances. Another bonus of using soft water for your appliances it that that with soft water, appliances need to use less soap and detergent and can be run at lower temperatures, yet be just as effective.
Hard Water Around Your Home
The most expensive hard water problem for homeowners involves your homes water heater. According to the Department of Energy, heating water accounts for 14% to 18% of the energy costs in your home, and it could be as high as 25%. Water heating is second only to heating your actual home when it comes to energy use. So it stands to reason that you’ll want your water heater to be running efficiently. The best way to do that is to make sure your water heater is on soft water.
Although there is no risk factor in having hard water, there are benefits to having soft water! With softer clothes and longer appliance life, you’ll be happy you installed a water softener and experienced the differences around your home. Need help finding the right fit? Experts at Indy Soft Water are here to help you find the perfect water softener to fit your family’s needs!