Many homes are located in
areas where there is hard water. Water
conditioners, or a soft water system, are installed
to make the water softer. The term "hard water" was
originally coined to refer to water that was
difficult or hard to work with. Hard water requires
much more soap, shampoo or detergent than soft
water, so your soap products don't stretch nearly
as far.
The effects of hard water are
felt most often in daily household activities such
as cleaning. The minerals present in hard water
inhibit soap's lathering and cleaning capabilities.
Homeowners are often concerned
that drinking softened water will increase the
level of sodium in their diet. Despite this myth,
softening your water will not result in
salty-tasting water. Sodium bicarbonate, which is
different from sodium chloride (table salt), is
formed through the water softening process.
The amount of sodium added to
water from the water conditioner depends on the
hardness of the water supply. When hard water that
is greater than 10 grains of hardness per gallon is
softened, there is only 20 to 40 mg of sodium added
to every 8 ounces of water. For comparison, an 8
ounce glass of low-fat milk contains about 120 mg
of sodium.
The majority of the sodium in
consumers' diets comes from processed foods and
table salt. The recommended daily allowance for
sodium is 2,400 mg. Drinking two quarts of softened
water would only add approximately 240 mg of sodium
to your diet. Individuals concerned about sodium in
their diet should consult their physician about
effective means of reducing overall sodium
consumption.
The solution to hard water
problems:
Hard water forms when
naturally occurring minerals enter water sources.
Over time these minerals are absorbed by
groundwater. The two most common types of minerals
found in hard water are calcium and magnesium
compounds. These minerals' presence can make
cleaning more difficult and can reduce the lifespan
of household appliances.
Installing a water conditioner
will alleviate hard water problem. Installing a
softener is quick, easy and greatly reduces the
natural hard minerals in the water, making it
easier to get clothes clean, leaving skin less dry
and irritated, and making showering more pleasant.
How a water
conditioner works:
During the water conditioning
process, water softening salt charges thousands of
tiny resin beads inside the water softener with
sodium ions. As hard water moves over the resin
beads, the calcium and magnesium minerals are
attracted to the beads and replaced with sodium
ions, creating soft water. Over time, the resin
beads will become full of minerals and need to be
recharged. This process is known as the water
conditioners regeneration cycle. The frequency of
regeneration varies depending on the water usage of
each home and the source of the water's hardness.
Softer water can save you
money:
The lifespan of appliances
such as water heaters, washing machines and
dishwashers can be reduced by as much as 30 % from
using hard water in the home. Also, when hard water
is heated, the minerals in the water can
precipitate out and form scales in the water
heater. These scales can build up and result in
increased water heating costs and eventual failure
of the heater.
If you have a hard water
problem, I recommend considering installing a water
conditioner. If will make your life a lot more
pleasant and save your appliances too.
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