According to the United State Geological Survey, 89.3% of the United States is affected by hard water.
There is no doubt that water hardness is a nuisance. Its presence costs industry and consumers billions of dollars annually in cleaning expenses and maintenance. The labor and chemicals required to solve hard water problems and then the eventual replacement costs of equipment is astronomical.
CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS
Virtually any equipment you have that comes in contact with hard water is costing you money. Water heaters, dishwashers, sinks, toilets, shower heads, aerators, steam tables & ovens, ice machines, swimming pools and laundry equipment, towels, bed sheets, etc. are all affected by hard water. Water taste is bad; the buildings pipe system will need replacement. Expenses in maintaining a cooling tower, boiler or chiller are often your costliest equipment to maintain - all because of hard water.
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that just a ¼" of scale deposits will increase your energy bill by 40%.
The primary energy savings from solving hard water problems result from a decrease in energy consumption in heating and cooling applications. Scale reduces the thermal efficiency of heating systems by increasing the time it takes to achieve the required temperature. These saving are associated with the removal of scale formation.
Lime scale deposits can cause serious problems by restricting the water flow in your pipes and reduce thermal efficiency.
How Does a Water Softener Work?
All traditional water softeners use the same operating principle: They exchange calcium and magnesium ions with twice as much sodium ions. The process is called ion exchange and can be labeled as "ancient" or outdated technology. They are very expensive to purchase and maintain; require a lot of salt to operate. A water softener also requires a lot more water to regenerate. Water softeners pollute our precious environment and can be harmful to people on salt restricted diets.
With only 2.5% of the Earths water considered "fresh", it is important we do not add any more chlorides into the water stream, decreasing the amount of available fresh water on our planet.
The real question is; how do you solve hard water problems without the impact on our environment?
One way may be through an electronic precipitator. An electronic precipitator is an alternative to a water softener that utilized a scientifically developed signal charge from a coil wrapped around the pipe entering the home. This inaudible sonic wave hits the resonant frequency of the calcium molecules - changing their electrical and physical properties - so they no longer adhere to pipe walls or fixtures that come in contact with water.
A water softener alternative like ScaleBlaster offers all the same benefits of a water softener;
• Softer, silkier feeling water on skin, hair and clothes
• Soap and detergent can be cut back by 25% or more
• Brighter, whiter and longer lasting clothes, towels & sheets
• Reduces mold, mildew and corrosion due to hard water
but with the benefits of;
• No maintenance ever required
• Never adding salt or chemicals
• Or changing any filters
Bottom line is a water softener has a negative impact on the environment. They add sodium (chlorides) to waste water which then becomes a contaminant causing a major recycling problem for municipal water departments. Many areas, including Santa Clarita, CA, are banning their use or enacting regulations to limit use or regulate how the waste water is released.
A water softener alternative like an electronic precipitator is an ideal "green" product for all residential, commercial, and industrial application. An electronic precipitator like ScaleBlaster does not use salt and will save you as much as 20% in energy, water and sewer bills while at the same time helping our environment stay "green".
For more information, check out these water softener alternative systems.
Water Softener Alternatives - Protect Our Environment CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS