Water that contains a high amount of dissolved minerals is considered “hard”. It is often the result of ground water collecting calcium and magnesium as it rises through limestone. The higher the mineral content level, the harder the water. Hard Water is typically measured in grains per gallon (GPG) and hardness varies across the country. Even if you don’t live in the “very hard” or “extremely hard” water zones, you may experience the effects of hard water.
Hard Water Symptoms
The following indications of hard water can be found throughout the home:
Soap’s efficacy is reduced by hard water. When using soap in the kitchen or bathroom, one may discover that it is less effective. Some soap mixes with the minerals in hard water instead of completely dissolving. Because less soap dissolves, you may need to use more to get “clean.” Undissolved soap may still cling to your skin or hair, dulling and lifeless it.
Mineral deposits in pipes can reduce water flow and raise water costs. Lime-scale buildup accelerates as the flow is constrained. Obstructions can cause pipe damage and clog appliances, resulting in inefficiency. This may also necessitate costly repairs or replacements. According to a 2009 research commissioned by the Water Quality Association, the impact of hard water on domestic appliances and fixtures can shorten the life of dishwashers and washing machines by years.
Energy savings may be significant for high efficiency equipment. Some high efficiency models’ warranties may be invalid if used with hard water. Hot water heaters, whether gas, electric, or tankless, will not last as long or be as efficient. Running hard water through hot water heaters reduces efficiency by up to 48%, with scale accumulation decreasing the heating components’ lifespan.
How do I treat Hard Water?
There are two primary options for addressing hard water: water softeners, and water conditioners. Salt-based water softeners remove minerals from your water, while salt-free water conditioners prevent the minerals from adhering to your pipes and appliances.
Water Softer
A mineral tank plus a brine tank compose a classic salt-based water softening system. It is often installed at the point where water enters a home’s plumbing system. This is also known as the “Point of Entry” (potential link). The softener exchanges hard water minerals for sodium through a process known as ion exchange.
Small polystyrene beads, often known as resin, are used to fill the mineral tank. The beads are negatively charged. Calcium and magnesium, the major minerals in hard water, are both positively charged. As the hard water travels through the mineral tank, these minerals adhere to the negatively charged beads.
To make a brine solution, the brine tank employs ordinary salt (sodium). Sodium ions contain positive charges as well, but not as strongly as calcium or magnesium. When the brine solution is flushed through the system tank, it comes into touch with the calcium and magnesium-saturated polystyrene beads.
When the beads are saturated, the device goes into a three-phase renewing cycle. A “backwash” phase first reverses water flow to flush debris from the tank. A “recharge” phase then transports the concentrated sodium-rich salt solution from the brine tank to the mineral tank. The sodium settles on the beads, replacing the calcium and magnesium that are washed away. Finally, the mineral tank is flushed or “regenerated,” removing excess brine and refilling the brine tank.
The majority of popular water softeners have an automated regeneration feature. The most simple form features an electric timer that regularly flushes, recharges, or “regenerates” the system.
Health Concerns
The salt remaining in softened water may be an issue for persons on sodium-restricted diets. Installing a separate water dispenser that skips the softener is one option. You may also use potassium chloride instead of salt, but it will cost three to four times as much.
Environmental Concerns
The output of salt brines from water softener regeneration can have a deleterious influence on water quality in groundwater basins, recycled water, and wastewaters. Higher salt and chloride concentration raises treatment costs and limits wastewater reuse for agricultural and industrial purposes. It can also make it difficult for a wastewater treatment facility to meet total dissolved solids discharge limits (TDS). Mineral concentrations are passed on to the environment because most wastewater treatment plants do not remove appreciable mineral concentrations from the waste stream. As a result, a rising number of towns prohibit the use of salt-based water softeners.
Salt-Free Water Softeners
While salt-based water softening eliminates hard water minerals, the salt-free procedure (also known as water conditioning) does not. It does, however, modify their shape.
Water Conditioners use a physical process known as Template Assisted Crystallization to pass water through a catalytic medium (TAC). The hardness minerals are crystallized, resulting in a “hardness crystal.” These crystals are incapable of adhering to surfaces, such as the insides of your pipes or appliances. This approach is less successful than salt-based systems and will fail if subjected to high quantities of hard water.
How can I pick the best option for me?
If you wish to handle hard water concerns in your house, the first step is to evaluate your present water, which you can do using your municipal water report or by testing the water yourself.
Once a difficulty level has been determined:
Salt-based water softeners remove minerals that cause “hardness.” If the hardness of the water is significant, a salt-based water softener may be a preferable option. Some towns, however, do not allow salt-based water softeners.
Hardness minerals present in the water are not removed by salt-free water conditioners. Scale accumulation is decreased, and salt is avoided. There may be less soap used and cleaner laundry. Salt-free water conditioners are useful in medium and moderate hardness circumstances.
Post time: Jul-04-2022