Hard water problems can lead to a number of issues around your home. But the biggest impact hard water can make is on your wallet.

There are 4 ways hard water is sneakily costing you money.

1. Cleaning and personal care
2. Energy bills
3. Clothing and fabric
4. Plumbing and appliances

Shampoo, lotion and detergent are all used to clean. Whether it’s for your body or clothes, softened water activates these cleaning products so they lather better. In turn, you use less soap during every cleaning cycle with softer water.

Hard water causes scale buildup in your home’s plumbing. This scale makes it hard for water to move causing you to lose more heat. This will affect your electricity bill because you’re using more energy to maintain temperature.

Hardness minerals in hard water make your clothes and towels rough and scratchy. This hurts the material making clothes less durable. The lifecycle of towels is also shortened.

Hard water scale also builds up in your appliances. This makes them break sooner than they should. Over time, hard water will cut the lifespan of your water heater, dishwasher and washing machine.

Adding these 4 issues together, hard water is costing you about $800/year.

Buying a water softener will solve all of these issues in your home.

If you suspect hard water is already leaving its mark in your home, watch our “How to Test Hard Water in Your Home” video to find where it’s lingering.

If you’re sick of hard water costing you, visit EcoPureHome and shop for your home’s solution.

The post The Impact of Hard Water on Your Wallet appeared first on HomeWater 101.

Despite having unruly water that causes problems all over the home—thanks, calcium and magnesium—some people are a little uncertain about purchasing a water softener. In fact, only an estimated 30% of Americans living with hard water have a water softener. The primary reason? Many believe that a water softening system costs much more than it’s worth. In fact, the opposite is true. Water softeners help you solve many common water-related problems around the home and they save you money.

Doesn’t a softener require a lot of energy?

A water softener doesn’t use as much energy and salt as you might expect. The total energy required to run a water softener over the course of one year is the same as an alarm clock uses in a year. And because most new softeners regenerate only when you need them to, water and energy use are optimized. For an average family of four, the water softener runs less than five times a month.

As for the salt, most families use fewer than 10 bags of salt over the course of a year to get the soft water they want. Newer water softener models are highly efficient, using much less salt than their predecessors.

Does soft water really make a difference?

The short answer? Yes. Soft water makes a huge difference when it comes to the longevity and performance of your appliances. Using soft water with your everyday appliances helps reduce wear and tear on them. Because a water softener prevents scale build-up in the pipes and on faucets, it increases their longevity and working power. Because your hot water heater doesn’t have to work as hard, you could save up to 27% on energy in just one year. Plus, water-using appliances last up to 30% to 50% longer when used with soft water, so you won’t have to replace pricey water heaters, dishwashers and washing machines as often.

Another bonus of using soft water? Better cleaning power. Soaps lather better and other cleaners are more effective, so you can use less and get cleaner results. Not to mention, you’ll spend up to 40% less time on tasks such as washing dishes and cleaning the bathroom.

Soften water for saved time and money

With a newer, more efficient water softener, you’ll see how it will pay for itself. You’ll use less of your cleaning products and enjoy longer-lasting appliances and lower energy bills. To find the best water softening solution for your home, visit EcoPureHome.

The post Myth: It costs more than it’s worth to soften water appeared first on HomeWater 101.

From your pipes and appliances to your hair and skin, hard water touches just about everything in your home. Because water is involved in most of your daily routines, the effects of hard water are felt everywhere—your wallet included. In the short term the costs seem negligible, but over the course of a year they add up. Multiply that over a water softener’s lifespan, and you’re well beyond pocket change.

Hard water affects your wallet in four main areas. By using a water softener, a household can estimate these approximate savings over the course of a year:

1. Cleaning and personal care (50% reduction in purchases of soap, lotion, detergent, etc.): $450 saved with soft water
2. Gas and electric use (heat loss due to scale): $60 saved with soft water
3. Washable items (clothes, towels, linens): $200 saved with soft water
4. Plumbing and appliances (repair and replacement): $90 saved with soft water

Total potential savings per year: $800¹

In 365 days, the little things do add up quickly. But hard water also has a big impact on your major water-using appliances. If you have hard water, you can expect to lose 30% to 50% of an appliance’s projected lifespan. Below is a look at the most common appliances and how they’re impacted by hard water.

According to a study completed by the Water Quality Association, by using soft water in your home, you won’t have to replace major appliances as often or pay for costly maintenance visits nearly as regularly.

But I already have a water softener

Like other appliances, water softeners don’t last forever. Age and daily wear and tear take a toll, lessening the softener’s efficiency and contributing to higher household costs over time. If you’re curious about whether you’re due for an upgrade, you can review some common indicators. Otherwise, here are some simple steps to keep your water softener working longer and more efficiently.

¹ Based on data from the Water Quality Association and a comparison of softeners manufactured since 2001.

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