#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.)
#3 Hard 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?

Question

#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.)		
					#3 Hard 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?

Accepted Answer

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.