5 Ways Soft Water Could Save You Money
In these challenging economic times, many homeowners are looking for ways to cut their household expenses. While you may have considered cutting corners on your grocery bills or trying to implement energy saving measures, you may have overlooked one of the simplest ways to save money; switching to soft water.
Hard Water vs. Soft Water
Many consumers are unsure about the differences between hard and soft water, and whether their water supply is one or the other. Simply put, hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium dissolved particles. The degree of water hardness depends on the level of particles. The main difficulty with determining whether you are affected by hard water is that it has no appreciable taste difference. A basic water test will determine the level of water hardness, based on the parts per million.
The Hidden Savings From Soft Water
While changing to soft water would seem to offer negligible savings to your household expenses, there are actually at least five major savings to be had. The first of these hidden savings is related to saving money on your detergents. From dishwashing soaps to shower gels, laundry detergents to body soap, you may not have realized how the cost of your detergents has been creeping up due to the hardness of your water.
Hard water affects the performance of detergents, leaving laundry appearing grimy looking, skin feeling dry and dishes looking spotty. This cleaning underperformance is usually attributed to the detergent and you may have found yourself using more and more or switching to more costly products. Fortunately, switching to soft water will have an immediate effect on how effectively your detergents clean. This means that you will find yourself spending less on detergents throughout the home.
The second saving to be made is on your energy bills. When your detergent is working efficiently, there is no need to use 100 F degree washing cycles in an effort to get your clothing or dishes clean. By decreasing the water temperature, you will immediately save money on your energy bills while achieving great cleaning results.
The third saving is a more long-term cost. Softened water can help improve the lifespan of your appliances. Hard water encourages the build-up of scale on your water using appliances including water heaters, dishwashers and washing machines. This scale can damage vital components of the appliance leading to breakdowns and the need for premature replacement.
The fourth cost saving to be had is related to the efficiency of your water heater.
While your water heater may be rated with an excellent efficiency rating, hard water compromises its performance. Fortunately, soft water can help to maintain the original rating. This means that if you have taken the time to install the most efficient model, you can support and optimize this performance by using soft water.
The fifth saving relates to a reduced risk of plumbing issues. Hard water slows down drains, clogging pipes and constricting water flow like cholesterol plaque in human arteries. This means that you may find that you are paying hefty bills for plumbers to come and restore proper water flow in your kitchen or bathroom. Switching to soft water helps keep plumbing clear, reducing the need for unexpected plumbing emergency bills.
While many may consider the purchase of a water-softening device to be an unnecessary expense, there are a great number of reasons to consider installation. Although this type of system is an investment in your home, you may be pleasantly surprised at the savings that can be achieved.
About The Author:
Greg Scott is President of Valparaiso based Miracle/EcoWater Systems, the premier water conditioning company in Northwest Indiana serving the Lake, Porter and LaPorte County areas. A 3rd generation water treatment professional, Greg grew up in the family owned business started by his grandfather in the late fifties. He has made water treatment his life and under his direction and high-standards, the company’s water treatment experience, knowledge, and products are unrivaled in region.
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