How to Save your Water Heater from the Damaging Effects of Hard Water
Hard water is a terrible nuisance to many homeowners – a ruthless villain that ruins almost anything that crosses its path. It can damage everything from your skin and hair to your laundry, plumbing systems, bathroom fixtures, delicate surfaces, appliances, and many others. However, one specific device that this culprit notoriously affects is your water heater.
You see, hard water contains several minerals, mostly calcium and magnesium. While these minerals probably won’t threaten your health, they can surely hinder the performance of your water heater and significantly reduce its lifespan. Your pipes and plumbing system can also suffer the same fate.
The reality is, no matter how efficient your water heater is, when hard water flows through it, the system’s efficiency will eventually decrease. Perhaps a few months or years later. That means you won’t be getting the energy savings and performance that you might have expected.
Thankfully though, there’s a simple and effective method that you can use to save your water heater from the damaging effects of hard water. This method will help eliminate hardness-causing minerals from your tap water that would otherwise wreak havoc on your home. We’ll reveal this treatment method later on, so sit tight.
Why exactly is hard water a problem for water heaters?
In regular gas-powered water heaters, the water is stored in the water heater’s tank then heated from the bottom by a set of burners. When hard water passes through the radiator, the hardness minerals can solidify and form limescale. Over time, this limescale builds up on the bottom of the water heater’s tank and forms a sediment layer between the burners and the water inside the tank. Briefly, the sediment insulates the heat exchangers, forcing the heater to run longer than usual and use up more energy while doing so.
The limescale buildup causes similar problems in electric water heaters by forming on the heater’s heating elements, thus reducing their effectiveness. Now, you might be thinking, “I have a tankless system, so my water heater will be fine.” Sorry to spoil the party, but even tankless systems aren’t immune to the destructive impacts of hard water. Limescale can still build up on the heat exchanger, reducing the transmission of heat to the water. Hence, the efficiency of the tankless system suffers similarly to that of a traditional tank system.
What are the effects of hard water on your water heater?
Limescale buildup is one of the most common instigators of water heater problems concerning hard water. As we mentioned above, limescale buildup forms a sediment layer between the heat source and the water, increasing the time taken to heat the water and causing the water heater to use more power.
Here’s a more detailed explanation on a few of the effects of hard water on water heaters:
- Shorter lifespan: The increased stress that hard water puts on your water heater can take a toll on the system over time. As a result, you’ll likely need to make more frequent repair calls throughout the lifetime of your water heater. Also, the unit will probably lose a few years of its life expectancy.
- Decreased efficiency: As we explained earlier, the limescale buildup from hard water can significantly reduce the efficiency of your water heater as it has to work harder and longer to keep your water warm. Reduced performance means that your water heating bills will increase and your water probably won’t be hot enough when you need it for things like showering, doing laundry, washing dishes, and so on.
- More frequent flushing: Usually, water heaters only need to be flushed about once per year. But if your home has hard water, the mineral buildup in the tank will require you to clean the system more often. Say, about every three months. Not only is that a waste of water, but it’s also a waste of your time.
How can you protect your water heater against hard water?
Some manufacturers recommend flushing the water heater tank regularly, but that’s only a temporary fix for a permanent problem. The buildup will start all over again unless you solve the hard water problem.
If you suspect that your water is hard, it’s best to test your water for hardness minerals to be sure. If the water hardness test returns positive, you can install a salt-free water softener in your home to prevent the buildup of hardness minerals and limescale inside your water heater.
A robust and affordable salt-free softener like the Springwell FutureSoft FS1 Salt-Free Water Softener will enhance the performance and efficiency of your water heater, lower your water heating bills, and keep your unit in pristine condition. The FS1 provides 99.6% of scale prevention without using chemicals. Plus, unlike some traditional systems, it wastes no water and does not discharge salt into the environment. Instead, it eliminates scale, extends the life of your appliances, and produces clean, great-tasting water for you and your family.
If you’re thinking about purchasing the Springwell FutureSoft FS1 Salt-Free Water Softener, you can get it factory-direct and enjoy all the great benefits of cutting out the middleman. But that’s not all. The FS1 uses NSF-certified components to ensure reliable and optimal performance. Plus, you’ll get a lifetime warranty on the tanks and valves, a six-month money-back guarantee, and free shipping. And if you cannot make the full payment at once, you can finance it with affordable monthly payments!
Final Thoughts
Your water heater is one of the most important appliances you’ll ever possess. You’ll realize this, especially during the winter season. Nonetheless, hard water continues to pose a grave threat to this precious device as well as other household components. With the Springwell FutureSoft FS1 Salt-Free Water Softener, however, you can prevent those nasty limescale buildups in your water heater and enjoy clean, warm water for years to come!
