Have you noticed your water heater making strange sounds? Or, perhaps you’re simply not getting the amount of hot water you expect. In either case, there’s a good chance that hard water is to blame. That’s because hard water and water heaters are enemies! What do we mean by that? Let’s first look at exactly what hard water IS and then, what it DOES.
Hard Water Defined
In simple terms, hard water can be defined as water that has a high quantity of dissolved minerals, typically calcium and magnesium. How MUCH of those minerals are present influences the total water hardness, measured in milligrams per liter. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, any measurement above 60 mg/L is considered hard.
How do you know if you have hard water? Sometimes, you can simply see its effects around you – a white, crusty buildup on your sinks and faucets or water spots left on glassware even after they’ve been cleaned. The only way to know for sure, though, is to get your water tested. Once you know your home’s water hardness level, you can make an informed decision about possible solutions.
Now, let’s look at the problem at hand – why hard water and water heaters don’t mix well.
How Hard Water Affects Water Heaters
1. Hard water can cause mineral buildup inside your water heater.
If you’ve been living with hard water for any length of time, you’re likely already familiar with mineral buildup on your sinks, faucets, and other fixtures. The problem becomes even worse inside your water heater. That’s because as hard water heats up, the excess minerals within it precipitate and form scale buildup. Over time, this mineral buildup coats your water heater’s heating elements and makes them less effective.
2. Mineral buildup from hard water makes water heaters less efficient.
Scale buildup inside your water heater acts as insulation, making it more difficult to effectively transfer heat from the heating elements to the water inside the tank. This puts your water heater into overload mode, requiring more energy to heat water to the desired temperature. Reduced efficiency and greater energy consumption means you could experience higher energy bills than you would without hard water.
3. Hard water reduces the lifespan of water heaters.
Speaking of higher expenses, hard water will likely have you spending more money to replace your water-using appliances, such as your water heater. That’s because mineral buildup corrodes and damages water heater parts. These parts will fail over time. As a result, you will be left with frequent water heater repairs. Or, premature replacement of the unit may be required if the damage is extensive or not cost-effective to repair.
4. Hard water can cause water flow restriction.
Mineral accumulation from hard water can block pipes within the water heater itself as well as those leading to the rest of your home. Inside the unit, internal parts can become damaged. Outside the unit, you may notice reduced water pressure and flow.
Get the Ultimate Solution to Your Hard Water Problems in Santa Cruz
As we mentioned, hard water doesn’t just affect water heaters. It can wreak havoc throughout your home, leaving water spots on dishes, mineral buildup on fixtures, and making your hair dry and brittle. Rather than relocating and hoping for better water, or choosing to put up with hard water problems daily, why not solve the problem at the source?
With a soft water system for your home, you can say goodbye to hard water problems for good. With an efficient water softener, you may even be able to recoup costs by lowering your utility bills and saving money on soaps, detergents, and other cleaning supplies.
At Conner Water Systems, we offer a variety of affordable and eco-friendly home water softeners that are sure to meet your household’s water usage and quality demands. Simply contact us today and our water treatment experts will work with you to find the best water softening solution for YOU!
