Battelle Institute Findings
Soft Water Saves Money & Increases the Life of Your Appliances.
Water softeners can save significant amounts of money and energy, a new study by the independent Battelle Institute revealed. The study, commissioned by the Water Quality Research Foundation (WQRF), found that water softeners help preserve the efficiency of water heaters and major appliances. Battelle Memorial Institute is a world-renowned independent testing and research facility dedicated to applied science and technology development.
Key Findings From the Study:
Showerheads and Faucets:
Faucets and showerheads in situations with softened water performed well throughout the study; maintaining a brilliant luster and full flow.
Showerheads using hard water lost 75% of the flow rate in less than 18 months.
Faucets using hard water could not maintain the specified 1.25 gallons per minute flow rate because of scale collection of the strainers which were almost entirely plugged after 19 days of testing.
Appliances:
In the study, dishwashers and washing machines were operated for 30 days and 240 completed wash cycles on soft and hard water sources. The units using soft water were almost completely free of any water scale buildup. As the report states, they appeared as if they could be cleaned up to look like new with just a quick wipe down. The appearance of the inside of units using hard water showed the need for de-liming and cleaning due to the buildup of mineral scale and deposits.
Gas Water Heaters:
Gas storage tank household water heaters operated on softened water maintained the original factory efficiency rating over a 15-year lifetime. On the other hand, hard water can lead to as much as a 48% loss of efficiency in water heaters. Each five grains per gallon of water hardness causes a 4% loss in efficiency and 4% increase in cost for gas storage tank water heaters when using 50 gallons of hot water per day; 48% less efficient than with softened water.
Electric Water Heaters:
Up to 30 pounds of calcium carbonate, a rock-like scale can accumulate in these heaters over time. The study showed that in the electric storage water heaters operating on unsoftened water “the life of the heating element can be expected to shorten due to scale buildup increasing the operating temperature of the element.”
Tankless Heaters:
Indoor instantaneous gas water heaters (tankless heaters) operated on softened water maintained the original factory efficiency rating over a 15-year lifetime. The study found that tankless water heaters completely failed to function because of scale plugging in the downstream plumbing after only 1.6 years of equivalent hot water use. Softened water saves 34% of costs compared to operating on 20 gpg and saves 47% compared to operation on 30 gpg hard water.
The Jayson Company provides more than 75 years of water quality expertise and is an authorized 3M Water Dealer. We will analyze your need and provide a free estimate for the water softening system that will ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency for any home or business. Call (855) 529-7661 today for your free estimate and water quality test.
