We have very hard water in Boerne, Tx. And any pipe, appliance or surface in your home that comes into contact with hard water is at risk of damage. One appliance that is surely affected by our hard water is your water heater. Lets take a look at the effects that hard water can have on the performance and efficiency of your water heater and how a water softener can eliminate those problems.

How Hard Water is a Problem for Your Water Heater:

 For most gas-powered water heaters, the water that’s in the water heater’s tank is heated from the bottom by a burner. If your Boerne area home does not have a water softener then it has hard water, the minerals in hard water can solidify in the form of limescale and build up on the bottom of your water heater’s tank. This forms a layer between your water heater’s burner and the water inside the tank, making it much more difficult for your water heater to keep your home’s hot water at the right temperature.

 If your home has an electric water heater, limescale can cause similar problems by building up in the bottom of the tank and on your water heater’s heating elements which greatly reduce their effectiveness while using much more energy to heat the water.

The effects hard water has on the performance of your water heater:

• Decreased efficiency. By creating a rock solid barrier at the bottom of your water heater’s tank, hard water will significantly decrease the efficiency of your water heater because your unit will have to work harder and longer to keep your water warm. This will increase your water heating utility bills and can also mean that your water won’t be hot enough when you need it for things like bathing, washing the dishes and laundry.

• More frequent flushing. Typically, water heaters only need to be flushed and cleaned about once a year. However, if your home has hard water, the buildup of minerals in the tank will require your water heater to be flushed much more frequently (as often as every 3 months). This is not only a waste of water, but also a waste of your time and money.

• Shorter lifespan. The stress that hard water puts your water heater will take its toll over time. Not only will you likely need to call the plumber more often, but minerals also eat away at the inner lining of the water heater's tank causing it to leak and forcing you to replace the water heater much sooner than you would if you had a water softener. 

 By installing a water softener in your Boerne home, you can prevent the buildup of hardness minerals and limescale inside of your water heater. This will maximize the performance of your water heater, lower your water heating bills and keep your appliance operating efficiently. If you suspect that hard water might be affecting the performance of your water heater, give Boerne Plumbing a call for a Free Water Test so we can measure your water hardness level and recommend the right system for your home.

If you have any questions about the effects hard water can have on your water heater, or if you’d like a water system serviced or installed in your home, contact Boerne Joe' Plumbing, your water softener and water filtration system dealer in Boerne, Tx..

We provide service all over Kendall County, including towns like Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch, Leon Springs, Bergheim, Tapatio Springs and Comfort, Tx.