How Hard Water Is Damaging Your Appliances

Every month, you receive a bill from the water company for your water usage. But did you realize that the true cost of your water could be much, much greater?

In fact, depending on your water quality,the water running through your home could be costing you a fortune.

We’re referring to water that contains a high amount of mineral sediment, also known as “hard water.” Few people realize it, but hard water can be so EXPENSIVE.

So if you have hard water, here are 3 ways that it’s costing you money: 

What our clients say

There’s a reason Metzner’s Culligan of Green Bay is the best water treatment company in with over 150 4.6-Stars Google Reviews.

I have dealt with Culligan for years with salt delivery for the water softener. Now purchased a water cooler with bottom loading. Love it😁 2/17/25 Had slight issue, with tube freezing, but they handled it. Naomi was very patient with me. Very good customer service.
Flexible delivery schedule. Friendly employees. Quality product.
On time service, friendly and professional personnel and always in communication with us in regards to deliveries.
Everyone has been incredibly helpful and super nice! We love our new water filtration system. I no longer fear to drink our water! Thank you!!!!
The gentleman was very knowledgeable and did his job well. Thank you.
Tony is fantastic to work with!!
Great service and follow up and always friendly!
Softener was not working and softening our water.
On time. customer service. communications
Great and dependable service. Down to earth people with no pressure sales involved. Have been servicing our equipment for years. NEVER an issue or concern with Culligan. The only thing they could do better is to bring the donuts with the salt delivery (just kidding!). Highly recommend them for your soft water needs.
Tony with Metzners was like a scientist with all his vials, droppers, test tubes! It was very helpful to see the differences in water quality from different sources in my house.Thanks for helping me clean up my water.
Tony P. is very knowledgeable and does a great job explaining water quality in an easy to understand way.
Tony at Culligan’s has a vast amount of knowledge and experience with water and water filtration systems. Can’t go wrong with Tony and Culligan!
Tony Passerell is great at informing clients and walking through options. He’ll help you manage PFAS in your water!
Tony is absolutely wonderful , he is extremely knowledgeable and can help you with almost anything and everything you need or have questions about. Highly recommend!!
Tony Passerell is fantastic! Extremely knowledgeable, professional and not pushy at all. Amazing how many dangerous chemicals are in our water and so grateful to have Culligan to make our water safe!
Tony Passerell is wonderfully knowledgeable! Highly recommend him for all of your water needs!
On time for appointments, calls to remind of appointments, friendly staff.
100 % satisfied
Very friendly and dependable service. If you aren't home for a delivery (and feel comfortable doing so) you can leave an entry open for them,let them know how to get in, and they deliver and fill your salt tank. They also take care of your equipment (if needed) in a timely manner.
I have been a water softening customer of Metzner's for a couple of years and recently decided to add a RO system to our home. From the initial call, the consult with Tony, the install with Chad and the follow up visits Metzner's delivered exactly what they said they would. The consult was thorough, the install was professional and not only did they do an onsight follow up to ensure no issues / leaks; they also did a phone follow up to ensure I was satisfied. I strongly recommend Metzner's Culligan to anyone looking for a water softening or RO solution. Thank you!!
Excellent service and attention to detail.
Reliable and always conscientious
For many years have had reliable salt delivery and periodic inspections for my water softener. All good and no complaints.
Great service. Great water. No issues. Culligan is extremely professional and kind.We have had Metzner’s Culligan drinking water for 5 years. How many plastic water bottles is that? Saved. Handled. Purchased.We liked it so much we now have their water softener, which has also been working so much better than our other one that just didn’t meet our needs. (Kaukauna)
The reverse osmosis water tank is located in our basement. We have good tasting cool water all the time.
Very satisfied as they are so knowledgeable and very good to work with.
Will recommend them to everyone
Great service and excellent that they carry it down the basement steps for us!
Employees were very helpful
I have dealt with Culligan for years with salt delivery for the water softener.
SHOWED UP ON TIME, DID THE WORK AS REQUESTED AND LEFT THE AREA CLEAN. THAT'S GREAT FOR ME.
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#1 Hard Water Makes Your Appliances Less Efficient

Did you know that hard water is hard on your appliances?

It’s true.

Hard water can reduce the efficiency of your appliances by up to 48%, according to a study by the Water Quality Association (WQA). And that decrease in efficiency can lead to a 29% increase in your energy bills–costing you $1,500 or more over a 10-year period.

(And that’s just for your water heater. The same efficiency loss would affect your dishwasher and your washing machine.)

shower-head
appliances

#2 Hard Water Forces You To Waste More Soap & Detergent

When you have hard water, you have to use more soap, detergent, and other cleaning products. Over time, this can become a significant expense.

Think about how much money you spend on dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent, bath & kitchen soap, lotions, and other household cleaners. Probably several hundred dollars a year, depending on the size of your family…and if you have hard water.

(That cost could be reduced by 75% or more with soft water.)

#3 Hard Water Reduces the Lifespan of Your Appliances

Hard water also causes a buildup of scale that can shorten the lifespan of your appliances by 30-50%!

In another WQA study, the heating elements inside water heaters using hard water failed after just 19 months. The water heaters using non-hard water lasted much longer—up to 15 years.

saving-money
Appliance Type
Lifespan with Soft Water
Lifespan with Hard Water
Dishwasher
10
10
Washing machine
11
7.7
Faucets
9
5.4
Toilets
6.5
2
Electric water heater
13
6.5
Gas water heater
11
5.5

How Can You Tell if You Have Hard Water?

If you suspect you have hard water, here are some of the telltale signs to watch out for:
  • Mineral buildup in sinks, bathtumbs, and on your water fixtures
  • Spots on your dishes, glasses, and silverware that don’t come out in the dishwasher
  • Water heaters that fail sooner than they should
  • Soap scum in your bathtub or on your shower curtain/shower door
  • Faded clothing (especially clothes that used to be vibrant & colorful)
  • Dry, itchy skin and limp-looking hair
Or you can always contact Culligan to schedule a free water test. One of our technicians will come to your house and test your water for hardness and other contaminants.