What is the effect of hard water on household appliances?

Hard water contains high levels of minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium, which can lead to scale buildup in household appliances. When hot water is used, these minerals precipitate and deposit as scale, which can accumulate in areas such as water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers. This buildup can significantly affect appliance efficiency by insulating heating elements, reducing heat transfer, and ultimately making them work harder to achieve the desired levels of performance. The result is often increased energy consumption and, over time, reduced operational lifespan of the appliances due to the strain caused by the scale deposits. Addressing hard water issues typically involves the use of water softeners, which can help mitigate these effects by removing the hardness minerals.