Hard water is simply water containing minerals such as calcium and magnesium.

Soft water is treated, filtered water containing no minerals except for sodium.

Water from rainfall is naturally soft. As rainwater filters through the Earth and into our drinking water supplies, it naturally picks up certain minerals. These minerals are ,for the most part, essential and are sometimes preferred over soft drinking water. Some mixtures of hard water also tase better!

So Why Do We Soften Our Water?

Tap water is not normally used for drinking – it’s main use is for cleaning. Hard water is the main culprit for smudged looking glassware, mineral buildup around our faucets, and the scum that accumulates around your bathtub. Even taking a shower in hard water can be a bit less pleasant that soft water. Hard water can also be less energy efficient by making your dishwasher and washing machines work harder.

Soft water is a dream for those who like cleaning their homes. Soap lathers better in soft water, and there is much less buildup around the house to have to clean up in the first place. Even your clothes and skin will feel soft.

How Do You Get The Advantages of Both Hard and Soft Water?

Soft water is not recommended for those who need to watch their sodium and need to supplement other lifesaving minerals into their diets. The softening process adds sodium into the water and removes all other minerals.

You can combat the sodium in soft water by reverse osmosis, distillation, and deionization.

How Do You Know If You Have Hard or Soft Water?

The degree of hardness standard as established by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (S-339) and the Water Quality Association (WQA) is:

If you’re looking for the best heating unit to keep your home warm, there are several options on the market. One of the classic options is a furnace, which uses a natural gas flame to heat air and then spread that hot air around your home. If you want to go super “old school,” there’s also always a wood-burning stove.

Another option, however, is a heat pump. Heat pumps are like reverse air conditioners, drawing heat from outside and converting the heat into indoor warmth. If you’re looking to install a new heating system, which one works best for you? First, you need to ask yourself some questions.

Should I Use an Electric Heat Pump or Natural Gas Furnace?

While furnaces usually run on natural gas, heat pumps run entirely on electricity. While neither is “better,” each one can provide benefits based on your own needs. Some areas of the United States may not have easy access to natural gas, making an electric heat pump a more desirable option.

Other areas may have very high electricity rates, making a gas furnace seem like a better idea. Take a brief look at your energy options: do you have access to natural gas and electricity? Which one is more costly for you? There is also the danger of carbon monoxide to consider. When natural gas or oil burns within a furnace, it produces carbon monoxide.

While furnaces have mechanisms to filter out carbon monoxide, they can still leak this dangerous gas when old or broken. Gas-burning furnaces, or anything that burns gas, can also pose a fire risk due to the internal flame.

Finally, burning fossil fuels is also harder on the environment, and is itself a limited resource. These issues can be entirely avoided by relying on electricity through your heat pump.

What Kind Of Climate Do I Live In?

Another factor to consider is your climate. Heat pumps were actually originally designed for the coastal United States, especially California. Because they draw heat from outside, heat pumps only truly work at temperatures above freezing, and they work best at temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

A heat pump is perfect for those chilly California winters where your toes are cold at night, but there’s no ice hanging from your doorway. If you deal with snow, icy temperatures, or anything below freezing, a furnace is the better choice.

Is a Heat Pump More Efficient?

Overall, heat pumps can be more efficient and less expensive than a gas-burning furnace. They also avoid the danger of carbon monoxide, pose less of a fire risk, and don’t use fossil fuels.

Because they use the same technology, heat pumps can sometimes even be converted to work as air conditioners, saving you an extra bit of hardware! However, they aren’t designed for everyone—if you experience below freezing temperatures or if you have high electricity rates, a heat pump may not benefit you.

Over at Zierman Plumbing and Heating, we would be happy to work with you and discuss the pros and cons of a heat pump or furnace. We can look at the needs of your home, the climate you’re in, and your gas or electricity rates. From there, we can help you pick the system that best fits you. Call us today to get started!

Here in California, we don’t tend to use heaters and furnaces for most of the year. In fact, other than those couple months in the middle of winter, your furnace or heater may go entirely untouched. That may mean saving on heating costs, but it can also lead to several other issues. When your heater sits for that long, it may have problems that you’re not aware of. Here are some problems that a heater may accumulate after months of being unused:

1. Fire Hazards

When you leave anything alone in a home for too long, it starts gathering dust. Dust, debris, spider webs (and spiders!), and other material can gather inside your heater. Check your return and supply vents for dust and webs, and see if any dust has built up on the heating components themselves. Usually, you can wipe these down yourself. Be sure to do this before you turn the heater for the first time. Otherwise, your home will smell a little “burnt” as your heater burns off all of that dust and debris! Even above that, debris could also catch fire, which is extremely dangerous.

2. Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is called the “silent, cold weather killer.” Carbon monoxide is a gas that is produced when fuels are burned. Your stove, furnace, water heater, etc. can produce carbon monoxide, though usually in small, safe amounts. However, an old, poorly ventilated, broken, or improperly maintained furnace can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. The Center for Disease Control recommends installing a carbon monoxide detector. They also recommend an annual maintenance check for your furnace or heating system. This gas can kill, and infants and the elderly are particularly at risk. Be sure to safeguard your home today.

3. Obstructions

Does your garage always seem way too full? In warmer seasons, it may seem tempting to fill up all that extra space near your furnace with beach chairs, old boxes, furniture, and more. It’s so easy to forget about that pile of stuff before you turn your heater on. Obstructions in front of your furnace, especially flammable ones, can be very dangerous. They can catch fire, or stop your furnace from working properly. Be sure to remove anything within a couple feet of your heater before turning it on this season.

This season, beat the rush when it comes to your heater maintenance. Don’t wait until the coldest day of the year to get your furnace checked. Instead, get your annual check today, before you’re left out in the cold! Be sure to install your carbon monoxide detector, remove obstructions, and remove any dust that you can see. Then, call Zierman Plumbing today for your professional heater and furnace maintenance. We will examine all heater and furnace components, make you aware of any issues, and do a full cleaning of your appliance. We will also ensure proper ventilation, and that all parts are in full working order. We’re expecting a lot of heater repair and maintenance calls once it gets colder, so be sure to beat the rush by calling today!