How 8.0 GPG Water Affects Your Family
The minerals in hard water react with soaps to form an insoluble film, which can lead to several common complaints.
- Skin and Hair: This soap scum residue can leave skin feeling dry and hair looking dull and lifeless. For those with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema, it can be a persistent irritant.
- Reduced Cleaning Power: Shampoos, soaps, and detergents don't lather as richy, meaning you use more product to achieve the same result, whether you're washing your hair or a load of laundry.
Filtration Guide for Cortez's Hard Water
With water at 8.0 GPG, you have several effective options that can provide significant benefits.
- Top Recommendation: A salt-free water conditioner is an excellent, low-maintenance choice. It won't remove the minerals, but it will prevent them from forming damaging scale, protecting your plumbing and water heater.
- Alternative: A traditional salt-based water softener will provide the same protection and also give you that 'slick' soft water feel, better lather, and cleaner dishes.
- Drinking Water: For improving taste and removing contaminants, a quality pitcher filter or an under-sink filter is sufficient.
Treating your water provides long-term value. While a full softener can save $86 per year in energy and detergent costs, its payback period is long at 17.4 years. The primary benefit is preventing the premature failure of a costly water heater or dishwasher.