Lennox Water Analysis
- Water Hardness: 12.0 GPG / 205.2 PPM
- Hardness Level: Very Hard
- Water Source: Imported surface water & local groundwater
Your water's 12.0 GPG hardness is more than double the U.S. national average of approximately 5 GPG. This means for every gallon of water that passes through your pipes, a significant amount of dissolved rock mineral—primarily calcium carbonate—is present. This is the source of stubborn limescale on fixtures and costly damage inside appliances.
The Real Cost of Hard Water on Your Home
The 12.0 GPG water in your home deposits approximately 2.8 pounds of rock-hard calcium scale inside your plumbing and appliances each year. This buildup has significant financial consequences:
- Water Heaters: Scale acts as insulation between your gas burner or electric element and the water. This forces your heater to work 15-25% harder, wasting energy and money. A typical gas water heater's lifespan is cut from 12-15 years down to just 9 years in these conditions.
- Washing Machines & Dishwashers: Hard water reduces the effectiveness of soap. You'll likely use 30-50% more detergent to get clothes and dishes clean, an ongoing household expense.
- Kettles & Coffee Makers: The visible white crust you see inside these small appliances is a clear sign of what's happening unseen inside your more expensive systems. It also negatively affects the taste of your morning coffee.
How Very Hard Water Affects Your Family
While safe to drink, very hard water creates daily quality-of-life issues. The high mineral content prevents soap from lathering properly, instead forming a sticky residue known as soap scum. This affects you by:
- Leaving a film on your skin that can clog pores and aggravate conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
- Causing dry, itchy scalps and leaving hair feeling brittle and dull.
- Creating potential issues for sensitive family members; for instance, some find hard water less ideal for mixing with baby formula due to the high mineral load.
Filtration Guide for 12.0 GPG Water
With water this hard, targeted filtration is a smart investment. Your primary goal should be to protect your home's plumbing and major appliances.
- Best Overall: A salt-free water conditioner is an excellent choice for Lennox. It effectively prevents scale from forming in pipes and on heating elements without adding sodium to your water. For those with severe scaling issues, a traditional salt-based water softener offers maximum protection.
- For Drinking Water: To improve taste and remove dissolved solids, an under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) system is ideal. It delivers purity far beyond what a simple pitcher filter can achieve and ends the need for bottled water, which costs the average family $600-$900 per year.
A whole-house softener (around $1,500 installed) pays for itself in approximately 11.9 years through combined savings of $126 per year on energy, detergents, and delayed appliance replacement. A conditioner is often less expensive with similar protective benefits.