through a pipe can result in what is called scale buildup. Just as in the human body where blood vessels can be reduced in inside diameter due to cholesterol buildup, water pipes can gradually close up resulting in less water movement through the pipe and a lowering of water pressure.”
Even though the study performed by the Battelle Memorial Institute did not study the impact of unsoftened water on plumbing, their report describes significant damage to plumbing in the research facility.
“Although the pressure regulators and needle valves were tweaked throughout the testing to try to maintain constant testing conditions, all of the water heaters on unsoftened water were removed from the testing at some point due to the inability to maintain sufficient flow.” WQRF – Softened Water Benefits Studies
Appliances & Fixtures
The use of unsoftened water in appliances and fixtures could cause clogging or failure due to scale build-up. For fixtures and showerheads, this could mean reduced water flow or complete blockage. In the Battelle Study, both the low-flow faucets and showerheads “clogged up to the point of not allowing adjustment to a 1.25 GPM flow rate at any time during the test.” In comparison, the low-flow faucets and showerheads which used softened water, “made it through the testing without any problems.”
For appliances, the impact of hard water could range from scale buildup to impairing functionality, to shortening the lifespan of the appliance.
Energy
Reading through The Energy Savings Study and The Detergent Savings Study it is easy to see a distinct pattern. From the amount of detergent necessary to clean clothing, towels, linens, or dishes to inefficiencies caused by scale buildup in plumbing or appliances, it is clear that hard water negatively impacts energy consumption in homes. The finding from these studies presents noteworthy evidence to support water softening as an energy-saving solution for consumers. This statement holds true for dishwashers, clothes washers, and hot water heaters.
Dishwashers & Laundry
A key observation from the Detergent Savings Study was the temperature needed to clean both dishes and clothing could be significantly lower with the use of a water softener. This could offer substantial energy savings over traditional washing methods which require hot water regularly. All of this while offering an improvement in cleaning performance.
Hot Water Heaters (Gas Storage & Electric)
Unsoftened water has been shown to reduce efficiency and shorten the lifespan of gas hot water heaters. In the Energy Savings Study conducted by the Battelle Memorial Institute, when water heaters were utilized with a water softener, they “maintained their original factory efficiency rating for as long as 15 years.” In the same study, researchers found that running hard water through the water heater units, “cut efficiency by up to 48 percent.” (WQRF) The lifespan of the heating elements in the gas water heaters was reduced due to substantial scale buildup. The study states “Up to 30 pounds of calcium carbonate rocklike scale deposits can accumulate in electric water heaters.”
Tankless Water Heaters
The benefits of softened water extend to tankless water heaters as well. “The economic savings of softened water with instantaneous tankless water heaters can lead to recovery of the cost of a water softener and operating supplies in a period as short as a year. Softened water saves 40% of costs compared to operating on 20 grains per gallon of water hardness and saves 57% compared to operating on 30 grains per gallon hard water.” According to the WQA website, “Scale buildup shortened the lifespan of the heating elements inside electric water heaters, and some tankless water heaters using hard water failed after just 1.6 years.”
Hard Water Solutions
In a time when most consumers are looking for ways to lower costs, it is clear that treating hard water should be at the top of your list. Though the costs of unsoftened water may not be immediate, the long-term effects can devastate any budget. As the research from the WQRF has shown, water softeners offer savings on energy, appliances, plumbing, clothing, linens, towels, repairs, detergent, and soap.
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