Scale, Clogs and Higher Costs

The low water pressure is just one sign that hard water is at work. White scale may appear on your faucets and in your shower, and that same build-up is clogging your pipes and building up in your water heater. And with scale comes higher costs; water-using appliances become less efficient, using more water. For example, hard water uses up to 29 percent more energy to heat your water. And the lifespan of those appliances decreases by up to 50 percent. That means you have to replace those appliances more often.

Battling Water Woes Saves Money

An easy solution to banish hard water comes in the form of a water softener, which removes hard water minerals from your water before it flows to your pipes and fixtures, reducing scale buildup.
And it costs you less in the long run. A home that is affected by hard water spends an estimated $1,280 in laundry detergents, bath and kitchen soaps, lotions and household cleaners. But with a water softener, those annual costs plummet to an estimated $730. That’s a 40 percent savings.

Temporarily Tackling Hard Water

So that brings us back to the soap-in-the-eyes issue. The inside of your pipes may stay clogged, so the water pressure will remain an issue, but you can temporarily tackle the scale. Try a homemade cleaner comprised of 50-50 solution of distilled water and vinegar will spot treat scale buildup from hard water problems. Put baking soda and distilled water together for a slightly more powerful scrub. Lemon juice can also help temporarily clear those hard water deposits.

Permanent Burning Eyes Fix

For a more permanent solution to those burning eyes, try a Whirlpool water softener. With an easy step-by-step tool, you can determine the best water softening solution for your in-home water needs.

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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.