You may not think much about your water quality. It’s drinkable. It gets things clean. What else is there? Well, did you know contaminants in your water can lead to HVAC system problems? Here’s a look at how – and what you can do about it.
Hard Water
The most common problem with your water quality is called hard water: a buildup of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals in your water supply. The key sign that you have it is that soap doesn’t build up a good lather, and leaves behind a filmy residue on your skin when you’re done using it.
In addition to soap issues, though, hard water can also cause a scaly mineral buildup in your HVAC system. Calcium and magnesium deposits coat the inside of your unit, forming an insulating layer. But don’t insulation and HVAC go hand in hand? Not inside your system. The mineral layer traps heat or cooling inside the unit and prevents it from being released into your home. The system gets overworked, uses too much energy, and drives your power bill through the roof.
Those mineral deposits can also accumulate on your individual HVAC components. Over time, this causes them to corrode and break, at which point you’ll need to replace them. If the problem persists, the system could start breaking down frequently, as you’re forced to replace multiple components. Not only does this cost a lot, it wears the unit out and shortens its lifespan.
Improving Water Quality
Many people fight hard water with a water softener: an additive that counteracts the effects of the minerals. However, many of these softeners use salt, which can cause the same scaly buildup in your HVAC system, as well as in your pipes.
A better option is a whole house water filtration system. It removes the contaminants from your water at the source, before it circulates through your home, leaving you with water that’s clean, healthy, and contaminant-free.
To learn more about the importance of water quality, contact us at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company. Yuma trusts us for quality heating and cooling solutions.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 928-723-3183.
