BENEFITS OF CONDITIONED WATER

Clothes and dishes washed in hard water may end up with white spots, streaks and soapy residue. Water softening helps rinse soap residue more thoroughly, leaving your clothing and dishes as well as your hair and skin looking and feeling cleaner. Soft water also reduces the amount of soap or detergent you need for cleaning, which helps to lower expenses for these products. With less soap scum and film left behind, you may also find that bathtubs, showers and sinks stay cleaner and are easier to maintain after you install a water softener.

The minerals found in hard water can build up on the insides of appliances, shortening their usable life and decreasing overall efficiency. Water-softening systems extend the life of washing machines, dishwashers, water heaters and other appliances that use water. If your appliances last longer, you'll save money by replacing these items less frequently. Longer appliance lifespans also benefit the environment by reducing waste and conserving the raw materials and energy used in manufacturing.

Hot water heaters can heat softened water more quickly than hard water. Water Softeners can improve efficiency by 22 percent for electric water heaters and 29 percent for gas-powered units. Improved efficiency reduces energy consumption, resulting in lower utility bills.

Hard water leaves scaly deposits in plumbing fixtures and pipes. As these deposits build up over time, they cause clogs and corrosion that can shorten the life of your home's plumbing system. By reducing mineral deposits, water softening systems minimize buildup and reduce the risks of clogs and corrosion, extending the life of the plumbing system and helping fixtures operate more effectively. For instance, if you have hard water, your shower heads can become so clogged that they are virtually useless in less than 2 years, according to the Water Quality Association.

Bathing, brushing your teeth and shaving all use a considerable amount of water. When bathing, consider taking a shower instead of taking a bath to conserve water. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, an average bath uses approximately 70 gallons of water, while a shower only uses approximately 25 gallons of water. You can further reduce the amount of water used when showering by taking shorter showers.

When brushing your teeth or shaving, turn off the tap when not rinsing the brush or the razor to conserve water.

You should use a dishwasher whenever possible instead of washing the dishes in the sink, if you own a dishwasher. Only run the dishwasher when it is full, and scrape plates and cookware instead of rinsing them off. If you do not own a dishwasher, turn the tap off regularly when washing the dishes to conserve water.

Adjust the water level on the washing machine according to the amount of laundry. Do not use the full water setting if the tub is less than full. Consider purchasing a new washing machine if your current machine is old. Certain washing machines use up to 50 percent less water than older machines, according to Energy Star. When purchasing a new washing machine, look for the Energy Star logo. Washing machines with the Energy Star logo have met certain criteria for saving water and electricity.