Pros and Cons of Commercial Water Softeners
Commercial water softeners treat hard water with sodium or potassium ions, thereby removing hard metals such as calcium and magnesium. Calcium and magnesium deposits can damage plumbing systems and appliances. Hard water can also dry out skin and make hair brittle from soap and mineral residue.
Installing a water softener for your home or business can save you a lot of money on plumbing repairs and appliance damage. While these systems can provide you with many benefits, there are drawbacks to using them. Depending on your requirements, you can decide if installing a water softener is in your best interest.
Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of installing a commercial water softener in your home or business.
Advantages
Softened water can extend the life of your pipes. Hard water leaves deposits on faucets, pipes and shower heads that need to be replaced every few years. You can also see the deposits and they can look very unsightly. It can cost $2,000 to $3,000 to replace the pipes and plumbing in your home.
Another benefit of softened water is that you get cleaner, softer clothes. Hard water makes it harder for laundry detergent to work, so you end up using more soap, or your white clothes start to turn gray. In addition, hard water makes it harder to wash soap off your clothes and dishes, and harder to wash off your body and hair when you shower. You’ll end up using more water or struggling to wash dishes and leaving water stains on them.
Appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, coffee makers and water heaters will last longer if you use a commercial water softener. Minerals in hard water build up in appliances, forming hard deposits and reducing their efficiency. Soft water will reduce damage to your appliances and make them more energy efficient.
Disadvantages
The disadvantage of softened water is that it is associated with health problems, so this should also be taken into account. Desalinated water contains high levels of sodium, which is a salt-based mineral. This can be detrimental to people with pre-existing heart problems such as strokes, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases.
Softened water is also not recommended for watering plants and gardens. The salt produced by industrial water softeners interrupts the flow of water to plant cells and can actually kill plants and lawns from thirst.
Another drawback to using a water softening system is the cost of purchasing and maintaining the unit. The cost to install a system in your home can range from $400 to $1,000, depending on the type of system you need for your home. You will also need to regularly salt the system. Softeners also add to the energy costs because they run on electricity.
Considering the pros and cons of installing a commercial water softener in your home, you can now make an informed assessment of whether having one is good for you. Some people do just that: they run a separate line, bypassing the softener system, to water their plants and get sodium-free drinking water.
Others buy water softening systems that don’t have to be on 24 hours a day. The automatic feature collects softened water in a tank, and when there is enough softened water in the house, the system shuts off, saving energy. Considering the cost, it may be cheaper to install a commercial water softening system than to replace pipes and equipment frequently.
