How Water Softeners Extend Appliance Life and Improve Health

By Todd Jameson, Superior Water & Air

Investing in a water softener is one of the best decisions you can make for both your appliances and your health, especially if you live in an area with hard water.

Soft water not only extends the life of your water heater and other water-using appliances, but it also has a positive impact on your home, your clothes, and even your skin and hair. Below I’ll explain how an investment in your water softener is an investment that pays for itself in many ways. 

Extend the Life of Your Appliances

One of the biggest benefits of a water softener is how much longer your appliances will last. Hard water is full of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can wreak havoc on your water heater and other appliances. With soft water, you’ll significantly reduce the wear and tear on these systems.

It’s extremely likely, and the data supports this, that with soft water, you’re going to get a much longer life out of your appliances, particularly your water heater.

Water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines all take a beating from hard water, which shortens their lifespan. Using soft water protects these appliances from mineral buildup and corrosion.

Prevent Mineral Buildup

Hard water causes serious damage to your appliances over time because of the minerals it leaves behind. These minerals can build up in your water heater, reducing its efficiency and lifespan.

The water heater bears the brunt of hard water. When you heat water, the minerals and impurities fall out of solution, creating buildup.

It’s like when you make pasta and get that ring around the pan from boiling water—that’s the minerals baking out of the water.

With a water softener, you prevent this mineral buildup and help your appliances work more efficiently.

Protect Your Plumbing and Fixtures

The same minerals that damage your appliances also affect your plumbing and fixtures. Hard water leads to rings in toilets, buildup on shower doors, and even greyed-out clothes.

In Utah, most of our coverage area has hard water, sometimes 15 or 20 grains per gallon, which is well above the safe range for many appliances,” I tell customers.

In fact, some manufacturers only warranty their products for six months if you have water harder than 10 grains. Installing a water softener can help you avoid these issues by reducing the strain on your plumbing and fixtures.

Keep Your Skin and Hair Healthier with Soft Water 

Hard water isn’t just bad for your appliances—it’s tough on your skin and hair, too. The same minerals that clog up your water heater can dry out your skin and leave your hair feeling dull and lifeless. Soft water helps maintain your skin’s natural moisture and keeps your hair feeling softer and healthier.

We show our customers the effects of hard water not only on their appliances but also on their hair and skin. It’s just not debatable—hard water is bad for both.

Making the switch to soft water improves the overall feel and health of your skin and hair, while also helping your appliances run smoother.

Water Softeners Are an Investment That Pays 

While a water softener is an investment upfront, it quickly pays for itself by extending the life of your appliances and reducing energy costs. Hard water causes your water heater to work harder, which leads to higher utility bills and a shorter appliance lifespan.

Water quality, especially hard water, is the number one killer of water heaters and other appliances. By using soft water, you can greatly increase the life expectancy of any water-using appliance.

With a water softener, you’ll avoid costly repairs and replacements, making it a net savings in the long run.

Maintain Your Water Heater for Maximum Efficiency

If you already have a water heater, a water softener can still help extend its life. We often recommend draining and flushing water heaters to get rid of any mineral buildup and refilling them with soft water to prevent future damage.

If your water heater isn’t that old, we’ll often suggest draining it completely, flushing out the mineral buildup, and refilling it with soft water. That way, you can get much longer life out of it moving forward.

Regular maintenance combined with soft water can significantly extend the life of your water heater.

Expert Recap:

Here’s a quick recap of the top benefits of installing a water softener in your home:

• Extend the life of your appliances, especially your water heater.
• Prevent damaging mineral buildup in your water-using systems.
• Protect your plumbing and fixtures from hard water damage.
• Improve your skin and hair by reducing the harsh effects of hard water.
• Save money by avoiding costly repairs and replacements.
• Maintain your water heater for maximum efficiency and lifespan.

If you’re dealing with hard water and want to protect your appliances, improve your health, and save money, reach out to Superior Water & Air and ask for me, Todd Jameson. I’d be happy to help you find the right water softener for your home.