New research shows that about 85% of American households are living with some level of hard water, but only about 30% of them have some sort of water softener. If you have ever lived with hard water, then you know that daily life is made a bit more difficult due to the signs and effects. Nowadays, we are spending even more time in our homes, so we are seeing that the investment in a water softening system is well worth it.
What is hard water?
Water that contains high levels of dissolved hard minerals, like calcium and magnesium, is known as hard water. Hardness is caused by compounds of calcium and magnesium, and by a variety of other metals. Generally speaking, the classification of waters are: 0 to 60 mg/L (milligrams per liter) as calcium carbonate is classified as soft; 61 to 120 mg/L is moderately hard; 121 to 180 mg/L is hard; and more than 180 mg/L is very hard. A water test can decipher which category your home’s water falls within, which will also be helpful to know which water softener unit would be most effective for your home’s demands.
What are the signs of hard water?
There are many signs that point to hard water in your home. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you notice a slimy feeling on your skin or hands after washing or bathing?
- Are there white spots on your dishes or glassware?
- Is your hair dull or lifeless?
- Has your dishwasher stopped cleaning the dishes as it once used to?
- Does your bathing or laundering require more soap or detergent than you expected?
- Are your clothes dull or grayish?
- Does your tap water taste unusual?
- Has your blood pressure risen?
- Do your sinks, fixtures, toilets or shower surfaces have a white scale all over them?
- Is your water pressure lower than usual, maybe due to clogged pipes?
- Do you have to repair or replace pipes or water-using appliances more often than you should?
- Does someone in your home have frequent eczema breakouts or dry skin that is susceptible to razor burn?
- Is your skin itchy or dry?
- Does your energy bill seem higher than usual?
Will I save money with soft water?
We love this question and we love the answer even more! Besides your time and energy, there are some serious savings when you have soft water. Experts estimate that 29% more energy is needed to heat hard water in your water heater. Over 10 years, your water bill will be around $1,500 more with hard water. Additionally, the lifespan of home appliances decreases by 30-50% with hard water. And, annual costs for laundry detergent, bath or kitchen soaps and lotions is over $1,000 more with hard water. With a home water softener, you have the potential to save 75% on these very costs!
If you’ve noticed the signs of hard water lurking in your home, give us a call. We’re ready to help you make the right choice for your home. Softened water is worth every penny. And, those pennies will end up back where they belong … in your wallet!
