Water Unlimited – Increase your Sustainability with Clean Water

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Enjoying fresh, clean water in your home isn’t just a priority for health, but also sustainability. Softened water can help you extend the lifespan of your appliances, reduce your home energy usage, conserve water and more. Hard water is due to the presence of dissolved minerals that it picks up as it flows through or around rocks and soils containing these minerals. Hard water can actively work against your home’s sustainability.

Reduce Consumption

Hard water can shorten the life of your most used household appliances. Dishwashers, laundry machines, water heaters and refrigerators are important daily-use appliances in most modern homes. When one of them is out of commission it significantly impacts the functionality of your home. One of the best ways to reduce wear and tear on your water-using appliances is installing a whole home water filtration and softener system. Hard, mineral filled water can clog hoses, fixtures, and more reducing the overall lifespan of your water-using appliances 30-50%. The most sustainable thing anyone can do is to keep and maintain the items we already have. Installation of a water softener can eliminate the risk of mineral build-up and keep your appliances working longer.

Optimize Efficiency

Mineral build-up inside appliances also reduces efficiency and increases your water costs. As systems become filled with mineral deposits, water flow is decreased, in-turn decreasing the efficiency and effectiveness of your most used appliances. Water filtration systems allow clean, mineral free water to run through your home maintaining your appliances efficiency regardless of the quality of water that arrives at your door.

Conservation

Reduce your environmental impact by having fresh, clean drinking water in your home. Billions of plastic bottles end up in landfills each year and take hundreds of years to decompose. A water filtration system allows you to consume the freshest, cleanest water right from your tap and ditch the bottled water for good.

Choose an Efficient System

Not all water softeners are created equal in efficiency. Reverse osmosis technology efficiently uses a semi-permeable membrane that separates water molecules from everything else. The leftover contaminants get drained away in waste water. The Kinetico K5, produces only 1 gallon of waste water per gallon of filtered water. With an efficient water softener system, you’ll enjoy soft, filtered water without the excessive waste, allowing you to reduce your environmental footprint and lower your overall expenses.

Installing a water softener can increase your house-hold sustainability by reducing the mineral content in your water, extending the life of your appliances, and keeping your energy bills in check.

Spring Clean Your Water: The Importance of Regular Filter Maintenance

Spring is the time we all think about sweeping out those winter cobwebs and getting our homes in summer shape. Be sure to include maintaining your water filtration system on your list of to-dos. Neglecting regular maintenance can lead to system malfunctions or even complete breakdowns. So, make sure you know what your system needs and keep up with the schedule. Your system will thank you with reliable performance.

Fresh Filters

Although most water filtration systems have an indicator to notify when to change the filter, it’s a good habit to check your systems filters on a regular basis. Some systems may require only one change per year, while others may require more frequent changes. Check with your manufacturer on the recommended frequency for filter changes. Regular filter changes ensure your system works to the best of it’s ability to remove contaminants like lead, chlorine, and sediment.

Flush Away Debris

Over time, sediment, debris, and air can accumulate in your water filter system, leading to clogs or reduced efficiency. To avoid this, professionals recommend flushing your system each spring. Flushing helps maintain water flow and removes impurities that could affect water quality, in addition to maintaining your systems peak energy and filtration efficiency.

Sanitize Your System

Bacteria, algae, and mold can build up over time in your filtration system without periodic sanitization. Whether your source water originates from your city, a municipal well, or a private well on your own property, all water contains impurities in addition to those we can remove through the filtration system. Bacteria, algae and mold thrive in wet, dark environments like your water filtration system, so it is near impossible to completely avoid the presence of these organisms, but consistent disinfecting keeps your water healthy and safe for your family. Sanitizing keeps your system working properly and ensures that the water it delivers is safe and clean. 

Test Your Water

Annual water testing will ensure your system is working as it should. Many water system companies provide free water analysis to periodically analyze your water quality and confirm that your system is working properly. Even if your water appears the same (clear, no smell, etc.), quality can change at any time. The quality of your water source (before your water filtration system) can change at any time, so annual water tests are integral to ensure your system is providing the best quality water.

Is this DIY?

If you’re not familiar with your system or don’t feel confident working on it, it’s best to leave your spring maintenance to the professionals. If you open up your system or tamper with certain components, you could void your warranty.

Show Yourself Some Love This Valentines: Feel Beautiful Inside and Out With Soft Water That Enhances the Health of Your Hair, Skin, and Nails.

Soft water in your home helps support the health of your hair, skin, and nails by ensuring excess minerals are not deposited and products can work efficiently.

What is soft water?

Soft water contains low amounts of minerals, especially calcium and magnesium, whereas hard water has higher detected levels of minerals. Hard water is formed when water passes through deposits of chalk, limestone or gypsum. It is estimated that 85% of homes in the United States have hard water. Hard water can be treated using ion exchange water softeners to remove excess minerals and dissolved rock, significantly enhancing water quality. 

How does soft water enhance the health of your hair, skin & nails?

Homes with a water softener enjoy a better lather, better bathing experience, and peak performance of products applied to hair, skin, and nails.. Softened water also eliminates the harmful effects hard water has on your body due to mineral build up and destruction of natural oils in your skin and hair. 

Hair

Soft water increases the efficacy of your products and protects your hair from mineral build up. A 2018 study by the National Library of Medicine concluded that there is, “a significant statistical decrease in the strength of hair,” after being treated with hard water. Removing minerals including calcium and chlorine allows your products to work more efficiently and ensures minerals are not deposited onto your hair strands which leads to breakage, dullness & lack of luminosity. Mineral build up from hard water may be why your hair products don’t work as well as they claim to. Soft water will help your cleansers break through any build up and prevent future deposits to bring you the healthiest hair yet.

Skin

Enhance your skin’s vibrance and hydration by ensuring the water in your home is soft. A study published in 2021 concluded that water hardness, by itself, could lead to severe dry and irritated skin. Soft water allows your skin cleansing & hydration products to work as intended because it reduces mineral build up on your skin. If your skin is coated with minerals due to hard water, your products cannot work as intended. Although mineral build up may not be visible, it can increase dryness & act as a conduit for a slew of other skin issues including irritation, acne, inflammation, wrinkles, and premature aging.

Nails

Consistent hand washing with hard water can cause your nails to become brittle & flaky. Hard water minerals can also dry out your nail beds and stunt the growth of your nails. After some time, your nails can become thin, weak and discolored. You can’t control the mineral content of all the water you use to wash your hands, but you can ensure that the water at home is soft to ensure the long term benefits for your health.

Enjoy the benefits of soft water in your home!

Take your hair, skin, and nails to their most beautiful by having your home water tested and obtaining a water softener system if needed. Water Unlimited offers a Free Water Analysis test to see where your water may lie on the hard to soft scale. You can schedule your appointment here

Southwest Living November 2024


 

 

Kickstart Your Year with Clean Water: Benefits of Water Filtration Systems 

As the new year rolls in, it’s the perfect time to reassess your lifestyle, make healthier choices, and invest in your well-being. One of the most fundamental, yet often overlooked aspects of health, is the water you drink. This year, why not kickstart your health goals by incorporating a water filtration system into your home or office?

  1. Healthier Water, Healthier You

The most obvious benefit of a water filtration system is improved water quality. Tap water can contain a variety of contaminants, including chlorine, heavy metals like lead and mercury, bacteria, pesticides, and even microplastics. Over time, these impurities can contribute to health issues such as digestive problems, skin irritation, and even more serious diseases like cancer or neurological damage.

A good filtration system removes or reduces these contaminants, giving you access to clean, fresh water that supports overall health. Whether you’re using it for drinking, cooking, or even for your pets, cleaner water means fewer toxins entering your body.

  1. Improved Taste and Odor

Have you ever noticed a chlorine-like taste or an unpleasant odor in your tap water? Many people find that the taste of unfiltered tap water can be off-putting, and it’s no surprise. Chlorine and other chemicals used in the treatment process can leave a distinct taste or smell that makes drinking water less enjoyable. 

With a filtration system, you can improve both the taste and the odor of your water. Filtration removes the chlorine, sediments, and other chemicals that can create unpleasant flavors, making it easier and more pleasant to stay hydrated.

  1. Cost-Effective in the Long Run

Sure, bottled water might seem convenient, but when you do the math, it’s clear that it can become quite expensive over time. 

Water filtration systems, on the other hand, require a one-time investment, with a very low ongoing cost for maintenance. By installing a filtration system at home, you save money in the long term and reduce your reliance on single-use plastic bottles, contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle.

  1. Environmental Benefits

Speaking of sustainability, one of the biggest advantages of using a water filtration system is the positive environmental impact. By eliminating your need for bottled water, you’re cutting down on plastic waste that often ends up in landfills or the ocean.

By choosing filtered water over bottled water, you’re making a small but meaningful change toward a healthier planet.

  1. Better for Cooking

Clean water is not just important for hydration; it also plays a key role in the food we prepare. Water used for cooking can affect the taste and quality of your meals. Contaminants in water, such as chlorine or fluoride, can interfere with flavors and even disrupt the cooking process. For example, chlorinated water can react with certain ingredients, affecting both flavor and texture.

With filtered water, you’ll get purer ingredients, allowing your food to taste better and be free from unwanted chemicals. Whether you’re brewing a cup of coffee, cooking pasta, or making soup, the quality of the water you use directly impacts the final product. 

  1. Skin and Hair Health

If you’re struggling with dry skin, brittle hair, or scalp issues, the culprit could be the water you’re showering in. Hard water or water with high levels of chlorine can strip the skin and hair of their natural oils, leading to irritation and dryness. Over time, this can cause or exacerbate conditions like eczema or dandruff. Using filtered water in your shower can help protect your skin and hair from these drying effects. 

  1. Convenience and Peace of Mind

Finally, having a water filtration system in place offers peace of mind so you don’t have to worry about the safety of your drinking water. Whether you’re at home or at the office, you know that your water is clean, safe, and healthy.

A Fresh Start Begins with Fresh Water

As you set your intentions and goals for the new year, remember that something as simple as clean water can have a profound impact on your health and well-being. Investing in a quality water filtration system is a small change that can bring big benefits to your life—from better hydration to improved skin health and a more sustainable lifestyle.

This year, make clean water one of your priorities. Your body, your budget, and the planet will thank you!

 

 

Photo Credit: Photo by Oleksandr P:

Eco-Friendly Water Treatment Solutions for Your Home

When it comes to water quality, what you don’t see can cost you more than you realize. Hard water causes stubborn stains, shortens the lifespan of appliances, and drives up energy costs, while bottled water contributes to environmental waste and unnecessary expenses. Fortunately, there’s a better solution—one that’s good for your home, your wallet, and the planet.

With a modern water filtration and softening system, you can enjoy fresh, filtered water without the environmental toll of plastic bottles and protect your appliances from the damaging effects of hard water. Say goodbye to harsh chemicals, skyrocketing energy bills, and wasteful habits.

Eco-Friendly Drinking Water

Buying plastic bottles of water might seem like a convenient choice but it comes with a hefty cost to the environment. Billions of plastic bottles end up in landfills each year and take hundreds of years to decompose. By replacing this routine with installing a water filter in your home, you’ll save money and eliminate the hassle of lugging around plastic bottles, all while making a positive impact on the environment.

Hard Water Stains and Harsh Chemicals

We all know that hard water can cause unsightly stains on glass, tile, porcelain and other surfaces. This leads many people to rely on harsh chemical cleaners to remove them. Many ingredients used in cleaning products can be harmful to both your health and the environment. Volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) found in many cleaning agents are a significant source of pollution in the environment. With a water softener in place, you can prevent these stubborn stains from forming in the first place and avoid using harsh chemicals to remove them.

Effects of Hard Water on Appliances and Energy Use

Hard water doesn’t just cause pesky stains; it takes a toll on your home’s appliances and energy bills. Mineral buildup inside your hot water heater can lead to premature failure and reduced efficiency. This means your heater has to work harder, using up more energy and increasing your utility costs. Installing a water softener can prevent this by reducing the mineral content in your water, extending the life of your appliances, and keeping your energy bills in check.

Low-Waste Water Systems

Not all water softeners are created equal. Ones that use reverse osmosis technology don’t use any chemicals to make your water pure and safe. They use a semi-permeable membrane that separates water molecules from everything else. The leftover contaminants get drained away in waste water. However, the amount of wastewater a system produces is an important factor to consider when choosing a water softener. Some systems produce up to 3 gallons of waste water per 1 gallon of filtered water while others, like the Kinetico K5, produce only 1 gallon of waste water per gallon of filtered water. With an efficient water softener system, you’ll enjoy soft, filtered water without the excessive waste, allowing you to reduce your environmental footprint and lower your overall expenses.

Make the Switch Today!

By addressing hard water and ditching bottled water, you’re not just making your life easier—you’re investing in your home, your health, and the planet. Modern water filtration and softening systems offer a simple, eco-friendly solution for clean, soft water. Start saving money, energy, and time while protecting the environment. The benefits of soft, filtered water are crystal clear!



Vice President Sy Bruch Featured in Northern Nevada Guide

Our very own Sy Bruch is featured in the latest issue of The Northern Nevada Guide, sharing expert insights on the health impacts of Northern Nevada’s water system. Check it out here!

Read the full magazine here.

Maintaining Your Water Treatment System: Best Practices

Whether you’re using a whole-house filtration system, water softener, or under-sink reverse osmosis setup, taking care of your water treatment system properly can ensure that it continues to work efficiently for years to come. Here’s a guide to help you maintain your system with some simple, yet important, practices.

  1. Schedule Routine Inspections

Just like a car, your water treatment system needs regular check-ups. A yearly inspection is a smart, cost-effective way to make sure everything is running smoothly. Catching issues early can save you from expensive repairs down the road.

If you notice any signs that something’s off—like a difference in water quality or strange sounds from the system—don’t wait! Call in a professional to assess the situation. Addressing small problems before they become big ones is key to avoiding unnecessary wear and tear on your system.

  1. Install New Filter Cartridges as Needed

Most water treatment systems have an indicator that tells you when it’s time to change the filter, taking the guesswork out of the process. However, it’s still a good idea to check with your manufacturer on the recommended frequency for filter changes.

Keep in mind that cheaper systems might need their filters or membranes replaced more often, which can add up over time. For example, with Kinetico, we recommend just one annual sanitation and cartridge change for our under-sink reverse osmosis systems.

  1. Understand the Specific Requirements of Your System

Before installing any water treatment system, take the time to understand what maintenance it will require. For example, water softeners need regular salt refills, and filtration systems with activated carbon will require the carbon to be re-bedded or replaced after a few years. Neglecting these maintenance needs can lead to system malfunctions or even complete breakdowns. So, make sure you know what your system needs and keep up with the schedule. Your system will thank you with reliable performance.

  1. Flush the System Regularly

Over time, sediment, debris, and air can accumulate in your whole-home water filter system, leading to clogs or reduced efficiency. To avoid this, professionals recommend flushing your system periodically. Flushing helps maintain water flow and removes impurities that could affect water quality.

  1. Sanitize the System

It’s also important to sanitize your system to prevent the buildup of bacteria, algae, and mold, especially in the filter housings. This can be done using a diluted bleach solution or another recommended disinfectant. Sanitizing keeps your system working properly and ensures that the water it delivers is safe and clean. And remember, don’t attempt to clean or service your system while it’s in use—always switch the system to bypass or shut off the water supply first.

If you’re not familiar with your system or don’t feel confident working on it, it’s best to leave this task to the professionals. If you open up the system or tamper with certain components, you could void your warranty.

  1. Take Notes of Any Changes in Water Quality

If you notice any changes in water quality—whether it’s a shift in taste, color, odor, or pressure—it’s helpful to keep a record. These fluctuations can point to underlying issues that may need attention. If you need to call a professional, having a detailed log of changes will make troubleshooting much easier and help your technician address the issue more efficiently.

  1. Handle Components with Care

If you need to handle any parts of the system that come in contact with water, make sure to sanitize them before putting the system back into service. For instance, when changing a UV bulb, use gloves to avoid getting fingerprints on the quartz sleeve. Fingerprints can cause permanent etching when the system is running, which could compromise the UV light’s effectiveness.

Maintaining your water treatment system doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does require attention. By scheduling routine inspections, staying on top of filter changes, understanding your system’s needs, and keeping up with cleaning and sanitizing, you’ll ensure that your system continues to provide you with safe, clean water for years to come. If you’re ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to call a professional—sometimes a little expert help goes a long way!

NNBW’s Best in Business Finalist 2024

We are very honored to be nominated in NNBW’s Best in Business for Best Small Business! Thank you so much to our amazing community for your continued support. Congrats to all the nominees! You can cast your votes here until October 27th, 2024: https://www.nnbw.com/bestinbusiness2024/#/gallery

How to Choose the Right Water Filtration System for Your Home

 

Before you can choose the right water filtration system for your home, you need to understand what each water filtration system has to offer. 

Water Softeners

Hard water is classified as water that has high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. While safe to drink, these minerals can build up in your house’s plumbing and appliances leading to reduced productivity. They can also negatively impact the health and appearance of your skin, hair, and nails. To combat this, water softeners work to remove these harsh minerals from your water. 

Water Unlimited offers a wide variety of water softeners to perfectly fit the needs of you and your home. 

  • The Kinetico Series – The flagship series, these dual tanks provide an endless supply of clean, soft water for homes facing multiple or severe water issues. They operate without electricity and require no manual adjustments. 
  • The AquaKinetic Series – With a smaller design, this series operates based on efficiency, only regenerating based on your real-time water consumption.
  • The Powerline Water Softeners – This single tank design is tough on hard water, but easy on the wallet. It allows you to schedule the water regeneration for when you need it.
  • The Kinetico Premier Series Water Softeners – This series harnesses the energy of moving water to provide clean, soft water for years to come. 
  • The Kinetico Signature Series Water Softeners – This series ensures a continuous supply of clean water, regenerating based on your usage to save money, water, and salt. 
  • The Kinetico Essential Series Water Softeners – This compact, single tank design is perfect for when space is limited, while still providing a solution to basic water issues and protecting your appliances. 

Water Filters

In addition to hard minerals, your water could also have potentially harmful contaminants or unappealing odors. If your water has an unpleasant smell or if you are worried about the source of your water, a water filter could be the right solution for you. 

Luckily, Water Unlimited offers several options to keep your water safe and clean.

  • Whole House Water Filters – These systems are designed to handle water issues such as cloudy water, blue-green staining, or unpleasant odors head on.  
  • Whole House Membrane System – This no-salt solution effectively rids your water of contaminants, iron, minerals, and odor-causing impurities. 
  • Whole House Disinfection System – This system passes your water through intense ultraviolet light, neutralizing viruses and bacteria to make your water safe for consumption. 

Drinking Water Systems

If clean, safe drinking water is your primary concern, then a drinking water system could be the exact thing for you. Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and other pollutants can be found in even municipally treated water, so being aware and proactive is key

If you are concerned about your drinking water, check out these drinking water solutions offered by Water Unlimited.

  • K5 Drinking Water Station with VOC Guard – The pinnacle of reverse osmosis technology, this drinking water filter can produce over 40 gallons of clean water daily.
  • AquaKinetic – This three stage system makes maintenance a breeze and delivers fresh and clean water for drinking and cooking.
  • MACguard Filter – For those prioritizing the taste and odor of their water, this filter offers a cost-effective option for home water filtration. 

Whatever your water problems might be, Water Unlimited has the solution for you. Reach out today to find out more about how Water Unlimited can help you.