Does Water Softener Damage Water Heater

Water softeners periodically go through a regeneration cycle to keep them functioning.

Does water softener damage water heater.

It destroys tank water heaters. Installing a water softener. Potentially harmful to the environment. Improves efficiency of hot water heaters by 22 to 29 percent.

Made of metal and constantly heating water this appliance will eventually corrode. Sodium is a great conductor of electricity. However what many people don t know is that a water softener can have damaging effects on their water heater which can cause them to have to replace their water heater sooner than expected. Worse the minerals deposits can close off the narrow flow passages through the tankless system causing water pressure in the house to plummet.

It speeds up the decay of the steel tank by about 5 times. No longer does soap coagulate and leave film however water softeners can shorten the lifespan of your water heater. The ion exchange that happens inside the softener swaps calcium and magnesium for sodium. They normally last about 8 12 years.

It can also reduce usage of detergents and provide other intangible quality of life benefits. Especially if you are regenerating the system often. Hard water contains high amounts of minerals such as magnesium and calcium. Does a water softener hurt your plumbing system.

Cons of a water softener. Water heaters are appliances that heat the water you use in your home. The main reason that water softeners can shorten the life of your water heater has to do with the anode rod. Water hardness is measured in grains and water with more than 1 grain.

Even within tankless water heaters the problems are similar. A softener will reduce calcium lime scale buildup inside pipes on fixtures and will reduce the sediment buildup inside a water heater which can potentially extend the life of the heater. The softener works by releasing its own chemicals into the water to reduce the calcium and magnesium making the water taste and smell better easier on your skin and clothes as well as protecting your water pipes. When the anode wears down the corrosive elements will move on to the tank.

Scale buildup along the heat exchanger slows down the movement of heat and efficiency suffers. Soft water can actually corrode the water heater anode faster.