Water Softeners:

How They Create a Positive Impact on the Environment

Kinetico Utah

441 West 12300 South,

Suite #A700

Draper, UT 84020

800-969-4420

info@KineticoUt.com

Water-softening systems are known for their effectiveness in extending the

service life of appliances. Many households are upgrading to the use of these

technologies, as more people recognize that minerals found in hard water

collect on the insides of appliances, negatively affecting shelf life and

efficiency. The benefits of water softeners, however, do not stop with cost-

efficiency. It also creates a lasting impact on a much larger scope: the

environment.

Because water softeners enable

appliances to extend shelf life, the

Water Quality Research Foundation

says that this reduces waste and

saves raw materials and energy used

in creating new equipment. Studies

show that there are three important

environmental aspects water

softeners satisfy:

1. Sustainability

Water softeners do not have much negative effect on the environment because

of its overall effectiveness in reducing energy consumption and carbon

footprint. A study assessed how much energy and carbon footprint can be

lessened using water softening systems. Experts say that 24% of efficiency is

wasted in gas storage tank water heaters when using hard water. Because the

equipment gets easily worn out, consumers are more likely to get rid of the

appliance.

2. Pollution Reduction

Water softeners minimize disposal of

appliances, hence the reduction of waste.

This is one manner in which the

equipment helps reduce pollution.

Softeners significantly cut or completely

eliminate contaminants such as barium

and radium. The Water Quality Research

Foundation found that the maximum

contaminant level for barium is 2 parts

per million (ppm). For radium, it is5 to 15

pCi/L. Water softeners also eliminate lead

and other metals, which could cause

damage and water pollution to pipes in

residential areas.

3. Energy conservation

Further studies evaluated the energy consumed by appliances that work using

hard water. Experts say that gas heaters that do not have water-softening

systems consume 29.57% more energy than gas heaters that operate on soft

water. Electric heaters that ran without water softening systems consume

21.69% more.

These three factors prove that water-softening systems don’t just help

households save money and energy. More importantly, the technology creates

a positive impact on the environment.

RESOURCES:

http://kineticoutah.com/soft-water/

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/

interior/1275126

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/ip/ip7/ip7.htm