If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t think about your water softener until there’s a problem with it. And, if you’re not using a water softener, you’re likely dealing with hard water, which is water that has high levels of magnesium and calcium. While hard water isn’t harmful to your health, it can cause issues with your plumbing and appliances. If you’re looking for ways to improve your home’s efficiency and reduce maintenance costs, consider installing a water softener. Here are the top benefits of doing so.
1. Reduced Energy Usage
One of the biggest problems with hard water is reducing energy efficiency. This is because hard water builds up on pipes and appliances, reducing the efficiency of water heaters and washing machines. The calcium carbonate in hard water can also leave a whitish powder residue on faucets and dishes. To combat this buildup, you’ll probably need to increase the amount of detergent you use and wash dishes multiple times. These added steps will cost you more at home and will drive up utility costs because of increased electricity usage.
A water softener can help prevent this issue because it reduces the mineral content in your water, which means that more miniature scale buildup will occur on appliances and plumbing fixtures. This will help increase energy efficiency and extend the lifespan of your devices.
2. Improved Skin and Hair Quality
After a shower, do you find yourself dealing with dry skin or brittle hair? That’s because hard water can strip your body of moisture as it washes over you. The magnesium and calcium in complex water bond to natural skin oils, resulting in dry and itchy skin. Some individuals have noted that their hair is easier to style after a shower when using a water softener because the minerals no longer strip away moisture from their hair.
A water softener makes it possible to avoid this problem by reducing the number of minerals in your water. This ensures that you’ll have conditioned skin and soft hair after each shower, regardless of how hard your local water is.
3. Fewer Plumbing Repairs
A less obvious benefit of using a water softener is that it can help reduce plumbing repairs. One reason for this is that hard water causes pipes to corrode more quickly than they otherwise would. This corrosion can lead to leaks and cracks in plumbing fixtures, which will need to be repaired or replaced over time. A water softener can help reduce this issue by helping prevent mineral buildup on your home’s plumbing system. Still, if you need any plumbing repairs done in Tucson, AZ, reach out to Rite Way Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing.
4. Improved Water Taste
If you’ve ever experienced a nasty bout of diarrhea or vomiting, you know how important it is to drink plenty of water. But if your local drinking water isn’t safe, you may not be getting the hydration you need. Fortunately, installing a water softener can help solve this problem by removing harmful impurities from your drinking water that could cause illness or damage internal organs.
A water softener effectively removes contaminants responsible for causing foul odors, tastes, and colors in your drinking water. This can make it possible to store water safely in the fridge or access safe drinking water without spending money on bottled water.
5. Enhanced Coffee Flavor
If you make coffee at home, you know how difficult it is to achieve a flavorful cup of joe. One of the most significant factors in coffee flavor is the mineral content of your water. When you use hard water to brew your coffee, you’re likely getting a weaker and more bitter-tasting cup than you would with soft water.
This problem can be solved by installing a water softener, which reduces the amount of calcium and magnesium in your drinking water, giving you more robust tasting coffee without using as much or as finely ground of a blend. It also ensures that your machine’s internal parts are protected from corrosion, which can reduce the risk of leaks and damage due to mineral buildup.
6. Improved Health
Another reason why people choose to install a water softener in their houses is because it has been said to provide health benefits. For instance, consuming soft water has been shown to help prevent osteoporosis.
This issue occurs because hard water binds with calcium in your body, preventing it from being absorbed into the bloodstream. As a result, you’re more likely to suffer from bone conditions like osteoporosis. By reducing the amount of calcium in your drinking water, a water softener makes it easier for your body to absorb calcium and maintain strong bones.
7. Enhanced Hair Volume
Many people have found that using a water softener has improved their hair’s volume and manageability. This is because hard water can leave mineral buildup on your hair, which weighs it down and reduces its volume.
The buildup can also cause your hair to appear dull and lifeless, which makes the overall condition of your locks look worse than it is. Once you install a water softener in your home, you’ll notice an improvement in the quality of your locks because hard water will no longer interfere with how your hair looks or feels.
You can maximize the benefits of using a water softener by installing one into your home’s water heater. This will further protect your skin and hair from harmful minerals that can cause dryness, itchiness, and dandruff.
8. Reduced Lime Scale Buildup
When it comes to keeping your house’s plumbing system running smoothly, one of the biggest problems you’ll need to deal with is limescale buildup. The minerals that cause this issue are often found in hard water, which means a water softener can help prevent the problem from occurring.
In addition to protecting your pipes from corrosion and other damage caused by scale buildup, using a water softener inside of your home can also help prevent the minerals from staining your sinks, toilets, and other fixtures.
9. Fewer Water Spots on Glassware and Dishes
As you probably know, hard water can leave behind mineral streaks and stains on your glassware and dishwasher. These spots not only make your dishes look dull and dirty, but they can also cause damage to the quality of the wash that gets performed by your dishwasher.
Using a water softener will ensure that these problems occur less often, allowing you to enjoy cleaner and more aesthetically appealing dishes every time.
10. Less Fading and Shrinking of Clothing
If you’ve noticed that your clothes fade and shrink faster than they used to, hard water is likely the culprit. While some detergents work well with softened water, many other brands can cause fading and shrinking because of minerals in the water.
A water softener removes these minerals from your drinking water before it reaches your home, which prevents it from affecting your laundry and ruining your favorite clothes.
11. Lower Your Monthly Expenses
It’s not uncommon for homeowners to see their monthly utility bills rise when they add water softeners into their houses. This is because most softeners use more electricity than standard water heaters do, which can lead to higher power bills.
However, some newer models have been designed to use less energy and function more efficiently. If you want to lower your monthly expenses, you should consider purchasing a water softener that’s energy-efficient.
A water softener has plenty of benefits that make your life easier and more enjoyable. If you’re interested in learning more about this type of home improvement, talk to Rite Way Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing about a water softener installation. We’re dedicated to serving all the residents of Tucson, AZ, if they need any of our heating, cooling, or plumbing services. Contact Rite Way Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing today for any of these services.
