Effects on Skin and Hair
Moderately hard water can leave your skin feeling dry and your hair looking less vibrant. The dissolved minerals react with soap to form a residue that doesn't rinse away easily. This film can clog pores and leave hair feeling coated or difficult to manage. Many Portsmouth residents notice an immediate difference in skin and hair softness when they visit an area with softer water.
Sensible Filtration for Portsmouth's Water
At 6.5 GPG, a full whole-house water softener is usually not a cost-effective choice for most homeowners. The financial payback is very long, but targeted filtration can make a big difference.
- Recommended Solution: For drinking water, a quality activated carbon pitcher filter or a faucet-mounted filter is an excellent and affordable choice. These will improve taste and remove chlorine.
- Cost Analysis: A whole-house softener (~$1,500 installed) would save about $68 per year, resulting in a payback period of over 22 years. For most Portsmouth households, simpler, point-of-use filters offer a much better return on investment.
An under-sink RO system is also a great option to eliminate spending on bottled water, which can cost a family $600-900 per year.