How Hard Water Destroys Appliances and What It Costs
The dollar impact of hard water on water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.
Scale buildup is invisible until expensive
Hard water minerals form calcium carbonate scale inside water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing. A 1/8-inch scale layer reduces water heater efficiency by 25%. The DOE estimates hard water increases heating costs 15-30%.
Appliance lifespan
Tank water heaters last 6-8 years instead of 12-15 in hard water areas. Tankless heaters are more vulnerable and may void warranties above 7-11 GPG. Dishwashers and washing machines fail years early.
The math
At 200+ PPM, hidden costs average $800-1,200/year. A softener costs $600-1,500 installed plus $50-100/year in salt. ROI in 12-18 months. Check your hardness.