With over 85% of Americans living in an area that has hard water, it’s likely that you have hard water yourself, or at least know someone who does. What some people don’t know, however, is that hard water is not a problem that you have to live with. There are some very real benefits to getting softened water.
What is softened water?
Hard water gets its name because of the high levels of minerals it contains – calcium and magnesium. When these minerals are removed, the water is considered “soft”. How exactly do these minerals get taken out? The most common way is through a water softener.
What does a water softener do?
A water softener operates under the principle of ion exchange. Ions of calcium and magnesium are replaced by other ions, such as sodium or potassium. Most traditional water softeners are hooked up directly to the water supply. The water flows through a salt filled tank where the ion exchange occurs. Then the water that comes out is “softened”.
What are the benefits of a water softener?
If you’re used to having hard water, you may not even realize all the benefits that could be yours if you choose to install a water softener. Here are just a few of the benefits of soft water in your home:
- Increased efficiency of water using appliances (hard water causes a scaly buildup, interfering with water flow and heat transfer)
- Lower energy bills (this is especially due to water heaters operating more efficiently with soft water)
- Improved life of plumbing (lime scale buildup from hard water eats away at pipes over time, making it necessary to repair or replace them more frequently)
- Save money on soap, shampoo, and detergent – soft water requires less of these cleaning agents to do the same job
- Softer, brighter clothes – hard water contains minerals that can be trapped in fabrics, making the colors duller and whites not so white
- Cleaner dishes, silverware, and glassware with no water spots
- Softer, moister skin
Are all water softeners created equal?
Most water softeners do a great job treating hard water and providing the benefits mentioned above. However, they are not all the same when it comes to their effect on the environment. Traditional salt-based water softeners discharge large amounts of salty brine water into septic and sewer systems. This can affect the permeability of soil and causing other environmental concerns.
The Salt Miner provides an alternative solution – salt is still used to soften the water but instead of being released into the septic or sewer system, it is extracted out of the water and collected so that it can be recycled or thrown away. This is more environmentally responsible and makes it possible to have a water softener even in communities where they are banned, or where there are local concerns regarding salt contamination. Contact us and we’ll show you how you can be enjoying all the benefits of softened water right in your own home.
