Is A Home Water Softener Worth It?
Due to the initial investment, many homeowners don’t think a water softener system in their home is worth it. However, if you are dealing with a number of water problems linked to hard water, a home water softener can be a worthwhile investment.
While it’s always a good idea to be frugal with spending, a water softener system may eventually be able to pay for itself over time. And the general upkeep costs and energy requirements to run the system won’t end up breaking the bank either.
Let’s take a closer look at the potential issues hard water can cause, and how a water softening system in your home can help.
Problems With Hard Water
Drinking hard water causes no problems in humans or pets. The minerals contained in both properly sourced well water and municipal water sources are safe for consumption. However, hard water can cause other issues including:
- Stains and spots on clean dishes
- Poor lather in showers
- Poor lather in washing machines
- Mineral buildup in plumbing
While most of these issues may seem minor, over time they can become more of a problem, especially the mineral buildup in plumbing. These mineral deposits can clog pipes, decrease the effectiveness of plumbing valves, and even prevent some valves from opening or closing entirely.
You may also notice an increase in energy costs with hard water. Your water heater will have to work harder to heat up water, which in turn will increase your energy costs. If that wasn’t enough, you may notice shorter lifespans from appliances that use water such as refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, toilets and sinks.
Water Softener Investment
The initial cost of a new home water softener system is what many homeowners will balk at. The systems are not cheap, however their ongoing maintenance and upkeep costs will not be a painful expense.
For example, a water softener will need the regular addition of salt to the system to keep your water softened. The average family will only go through 10 bags of salt on average, which is a very affordable necessity.
Additionally, the daily energy costs of having your water softener running will barely be noticeable. In fact, a modern water softener won’t use any more energy than the daily use of an electric coffee pot appliance.
Energy And Cost Savings
After the initial investment of a water softening system, you may be wondering if it can pay for itself, or at least help reduce your overall energy costs. Luckily, a properly installed and regularly maintained water softener can help improve your energy efficiency and may even lower your overall annual energy costs.
You can also rest assured knowing softened water will not be able to leave mineral deposits in your plumbing or fixtures, leading to a longer lifespan and less maintenance or repairs needed overall. In general, the initial investment of a water softening system can in fact be well worth the cost for most to consider
How is Concord’s Water Quality?
According to Environmental Working Group, Concord’s water ranks 10/10 and better than most cities. However, they also mention that legal limits for tap water contaminants have not been updated in almost 20 years, so you should take that number with a grain of salt. They also recommend a reverse osmosis system to maximize your water quality.
You might also want to check out the Contra Costa Water District website, which contains more information, including the annual water quality report.