How Hard Water Is Damaging Your Appliances

Every month, you receive a bill from the water company for your water usage. But did you realize that the true cost of your water could be much, much greater? In fact, depending on your water quality, the water running through your home could be costing you a fortune. We’re referring to water that contains a high amount of mineral sediment, also known as “hard water.” Few people realize it, but hard water can be so EXPENSIVE. So if you have hard water, here are 3 ways that it’s costing you money:

#1 Hard Water Makes Your Appliances Less Efficient

Did you know that hard water is hard on your appliances? It’s true. Hard water can reduce the efficiency of your appliances by up to 48%, according to a study by the Water Quality Association (WQA). And that decrease in efficiency can lead to a 29% increase in your energy bills–costing you $1,500 or more over a 10-year period. (And that’s just for your water heater. The same efficiency loss would affect your dishwasher and your washing machine.)

#2 Hard Water Forces You To Waste More Soap & Detergent

When you have hard water, you have to use more soap, detergent, and other cleaning products. Over time, this can become a significant expense. Think about how much money you spend on dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent, bath & kitchen soap, lotions, and other household cleaners. Probably several hundred dollars a year, depending on the size of your family…and if you have hard water. (That cost could be reduced by 75% or more with soft water.)

#3Hard Water Reduces the Lifespan of Your Appliances

Hard water also causes a buildup of scale that can shorten the lifespan of your appliances by 30-50%!. In another WQA study, the heating elements inside water heaters using hard water failed after just 19 months. The water heaters using non-hard water lasted much longer—up to 15 years.

Appliance Type	Lifespan with Soft Water	Lifespan with Hard Water
Dishwasher	10	10
Washing machine	11	7.7
Faucets	9	5.4
Toilets	6.5	2
Electric water heater	13	6.5
Gas water heater	11	5.5

How Can You Tell if You Have Hard Water?

If you suspect you have hard water, here are some of the telltale signs to watch out for:

• Mineral buildup in sinks, bathtumbs, and on your water fixtures
• Spots on your dishes, glasses, and silverware that don’t come out in the dishwasher
• Water heaters that fail sooner than they should
• Soap scum in your bathtub or on your shower curtain/shower door
• Faded clothing (especially clothes that used to be vibrant & colorful)
• Dry, itchy skin and limp-looking hair

Or you can always contact Culligan to schedule a free water test. One of our technicians will come to your house and test your water for hardness and other contaminants.