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Water shifts in an on-going
cycle. From rain or snow to when it falls to the ground and back up again to the
sky, it picks up dirt and gases and such particles causing the water
to be acidic. Having a water softener brings numerous benefits to you and your
home.
What is "hard" water?
Hard water contains a large amount of magnesium, iron and calcium and is calculated in grains per gallon (GPG). The Water Quality Association (WQA) classifies water hardness as follows:
| Classification |
mg/l or ppm |
grains/gal |
| Soft |
0 - 17.1 |
0 - 1 |
| Slightly hard |
17.1 - 60 |
1 - 3.5 |
| Moderately hard |
60 - 120 |
3.5 - 7.0 |
| Hard |
120 - 180 |
7.0 - 10.5 |
| Very Hard |
180 & over |
10.5 & over |
Ever wonder why your glass has spots
after using the dishwater? That is because the water is full of minerals that
are clogged in the water pipes. So even though soap is used as water evaporates, magnesium and
calcium (and iron) are left behind leaving those spots.
How does a water softener work?
A water softener is a unit used to remove minerals that cause water to be "hard." Since hard water contains the three minerals mentioned above, the water softener uses an ion exchange process. As water runs through the water softener`s resin beads in the mineral tank, the hard minerals attach itself to the resin releasing sodium into the water. By replacing those ions with sodium, the water is made "soft" thus having "soft water".
What are the benefits?
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Reduces your energy
bill- Since soft water reduces
build up in water heaters, homes can save up to 22% of the electric
bill or about 29% of the gas bill.
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Reduces scale
build up- Over time, the build up
that occurs in the water pipes increases and will have an impact on the
quality of the water and home appliances. Appliances such as
dishwashers and washing machines have pipes running through them. With soft
water, they can last up to 50% longer saving you a lot of money to repair or
to replace.
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Save money on cleaning
products- With soft water, you will be able to decrease the amount of
soap, detergents and dishwashing liquids.
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Longer lasting
clothes- Soft water will allow less
use of detergent to clean clothes and may even allow them to last 35%
longer.
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Improves skin and hair- reduces dryness, itching,
etc.
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