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Installing a water softener can improve the water quality in your home or business. Water softeners can help save money on energy, increase cleaning effectiveness and reduce plumbing and appliance repairs. Can a softening system mitigate your supply’s hardness and provide all of these benefits at your property? Hard vs. Soft Water At least 85 percent of the United States draws from a hard water supply containing calcium, iron and other minerals that leech into the water from the ground before it enters the plumbing system. While these minerals are positive for human health, they can give the supply an unpleasant smell and leave spots and scum on bathtubs, sinks and dishware. Softeners use an ionization process to remove the interfering minerals, leaving only sodium behind. The result is known as soft water. It may taste salty and will not provide the minerals offered by a hard supply, but it is much easier to utilize for common household purposes. Households and businesses that opt for softening to reduce the challenges presented by hard water enjoy the following benefits. Increased Energy Efficiency According to the U.S. Department of Energy, water heaters account for up to 25 percent of energy use. Soft water heats up faster, reducing the time these systems must work to raise the temperature to your desired setting. For this reason, less water is used and less gas or electricity is consumed when operating showers, washing machines and dishwashers. A 2009 study by the Water Quality Research Foundation and Battelle Memorial Institute tested the efficiency of heaters running on both hard and soft water. The hard supply reduced the efficiency of the heaters by 48 percent. In addition, when cleaning with a softened supply, the temperature does not have to be as high. Researchers found the same cleaning results were achieved with soft water temperatures at 60 degrees in comparison with hard water at 100 degrees. A softener is an important investment for whole-building energy cost savings. Effective Cleaning Cost savings do not begin and end with the energy bill. Softeners increase the effectiveness of detergent and soap, so much less is required to achieve the same level of cleanliness. In washing machines and dishwashers, only 50 percent of the amount of soap previously used was necessary to remove stains and prevent mineral spots after water was softened. Washed fabrics retain brightness due to the lack of mineral deposits. Less shampoo is needed to achieve lather while showering, and the results are smoother, shinier hair and skin. Extended Plumbing and Appliance Life Hard water inflicts damage to plumbing lines, drains and appliances. The minerals in the supply build up within the pipes and hoses and prevent proper function or cause other parts to fail. The results of the same 2009 study found hardness caused some tankless heaters to break down in only 1.6 years. Showerheads lost up to 75 percent of their flow in 18 months. A softening system will reduce the chance of damage from mineral buildup throughout the home. Contact T.J. Huggard Plumbing for more information on the benefits of installing a water softener and discover how this investment can pay off for years to come.
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Plumber, Plumbing service, Residential Plumbing, Commercal Plumbing, Water Softeners, plumbing repair, rooter repair, tankless water heaters, water he,
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