Why You Need a Water Softener System

Why You Need a Water Softener System

In today’s blog post, we discuss all things soft water! Why hard water can be hard on you and your home and how a water softener system will help! 

Hard Water

It’s no secret that the water in Regina is well…a little rough around the edges. Hard water contains high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which can be hard, no pun intended, on your skin, hair, and overall plumbing. 

In your everyday life this may look like:

  • The presence of dry irritated skin
  • Spots on your dishes and flatware
  • Scaling and build up on plumbing fixtures (ie: bathtub and sink faucets) 
  • Residue on your dishes after they’ve been washed

So what’s your next move? The solution to your health and your corroding pipes desires….a water softener system! 

Benefits of a Water Softener System

A water softener system helps contribute to a healthier life and makes your home appliances last longer. What’s not to love? 

There are a number of benefits to having a water softener system:

  • Healthier Skin: You won’t have to worry about that “dry skin” feeling right after you step out of the shower which means you might save some $$ on moisturizing lotion as well! 
  • Stronger Hair: Is your hair feeling dry, damaged and somewhat lifeless? Styling tools and the type of hair products you use can sometimes play a role here, but typically the number one culprit can be hard water drying out your hair and scalp. When the harsh minerals are removed from your water, the difference will be shiny healthier hair. 
  • Softer Laundy: When your clothes are constantly being washed in water containing harsh minerals, fabrics can deteriorate over time, compromising the integrity and quality of some of your most favourite pieces. Say goodbye to mineral build-up on clothing leaving them feeling rough with an “unwashed” look. 
  • Purifies Water Taste: Have you ever had a tall cold glass of metallic tasting water? Then you know just how unpleasant the experience can be! A water softener removes that overly earthy taste, leaving your tap water tasting filtered and refreshed. 
  • Gentle on Pipes & Appliances: Hard water takes a toll on your home’s pipes and appliances. Over time corrosion occurs, leaving you with ungodly looking corroding spots and scale build-up that often ends with plumbing issues, aka more money out of your pocket. Soft water doesn’t leave a scaly build-up, ensuring the integrity of your pipes for years to come. 

North Star Water Softeners

At Reliance Heath, we trust North Star Water Softeners. Their simple to set, permanent program memory systems utilize meter-controlled regeneration, saving salt and water. With a great lineup of residential softeners, we’ll recommend the softener system that best fits your unique needs! 

The best part? When you rent a North Star softener from Reliance Heath, our annual rental fee includes routine maintenance free of charge. Thus, prolonging the life of your water softener system and saving you money in the long run. 

Your Soft Water Saviour

So, now that you’ve established that a water softener system is the best solution to combat hard water and all the effects that it can have on your body and your home, it’s time to soften things up. That’s where we come in! At Reliance Heath, ensuring that you and your family are well equipped with all the soft water that you need, 365 days of the year is our top priority. 

Our experienced and trusted experts are just one quick phone call away! Schedule an appointment today and experience the life-changing benefits of soft water. 

Why Am I Running Out Of Hot Water?

Why Am I Running Out Of Hot Water?

No More Hot Water? 

We’ve all been there. You’re in the middle of your much needed glorious hot shower after a long and tiring day and suddenly, as if out of nowhere a flood of piercingly cold water comes rushing through the shower head! “AHH” you scream as you try to maneuver your way out of the danger zone! You wait it out for a few seconds…..sometimes longer before it passes and you can get back to your lather and rinse. At this point you’re probably thinking one of three things (or maybe even a combination of these): 

  1. WOW, that was seriously cold!
  2. That’s the second time that’s happened this week! 
  3. Why the heck does this keep happening? 

Rest assured, we get it, we’ve been there and we can help! There are a few main reasons why this is happening and we can provide some helpful tips to avoid any screaming cold showers in the future! 

Excessive Hot Water Use

The first and most sometimes most common culprit resulting in lack of hot water is water usage. Particularly hot water over usage. Having your long hot shower right after you’ve cleaned up the kitchen from dinner and started the dishwasher may not be the best idea. Similarly, tossing those dirty gym clothes into the laundry machine right before your post-workout shower also won’t bode well in your favour. Being cognizant of when you’re using significant amounts of hot water and staggering those times so that your water heater has the appropriate amount of time needed to filter in new water and heat it will be pivotal in avoiding another cold shower blunder! 

There are also a couple of other helpful tips that we can provide to ensure that you’re making the absolute most out of your hot water! 

  1. Shorter Showers: Take shorter showers. The average shower usually lasts about 8.2 minutes, using 17.2 gallons of water. We know it’s easy to lose track of time singing along to your favourite playlist in the shower, but cutting that number down by 1-3 minutes can significantly reduce your hot water usage, energy consumption and your overall monthly water bill.  
  2. Load it up: Instead of tossing in a quick small load of laundry or popping in the 10 odd dirty dishes and cutlery, wait until you have full loads to run the dishwasher and the laundry machine. By doing so, you’re saving large amounts of hot water in the long run. 

Tank Size

Your water heater tank size could be another glaring indication of why your hot water keeps running out. As a general rule of thumb

Small Tank: A 50-60 gallon tank is sufficient for one to three people. 

Medium Tank: An 80 gallon tank is great for three to four people.

Large Tank: An 80+ gallon tank is best suited for four to six people.

If the size of your water tank doesn’t properly align with the amount of people in your household it could be the answer as to why you keep running out of hot water! It may be time for a water heater upgrade

Inefficient Elements

Have an electric heater and you’re continuously running out of hot water although you monitor and manage your usage? This may be an indication that a heating element in your water heater isn’t functioning properly. Electric water heaters typically have two heating elements. If one is burnt out, it significantly reduces the functionality and overall amount of hot water in your tank. Elements can stop working for various reasons: they may be burnt out or mineralization and build of could have occurred. We won’t be able to determine the problem until we come out and assess your water heater. 

Reliance to the Rescue

We’re here to get to the bottom of why you keep running out of hot water! At Reliance Heath, ensuring that you and your family are well equipped with all the hot water that you need, 365 days of the year is our top priority. Our team of trusted experts is just one phone call away! We’ll be out to assess your water heater and provide a recommended course of action! Say goodbye to cold water!

Electric vs. Gas Water Heaters: How Do They Work?

Electric vs. Gas Water Heaters: How Do They Work?

If you’re considering a new water heater—whether renting or replacing an old unit—one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to choose electric or gas. Both options provide reliable hot water for your home, but they work in different ways. Here’s what you need to know to make the best choice for your family.

How Gas Water Heaters Work

Gas water heaters use natural gas or propane as a fuel source to heat water. Inside the tank, cold water enters through a dip tube and settles at the bottom. A thermostat monitors the water temperature and signals the gas valve to open when heating is needed. The burner ignites, producing heat that warms the water in the tank. This cycle continues as you use hot water for showers, dishes, and laundry.

Key Features of Gas Water Heaters:

  • Heat water quickly and efficiently.
  • Typically lower operating costs in areas where gas is less expensive than electricity.
  • Require proper venting for combustion gases.

How Electric Water Heaters Work

Electric water heaters rely on heating elements inside the tank to warm the water. When cold water enters, the thermostat activates these elements until the water reaches the set temperature. Once heated, the elements turn off until more hot water is needed.

Key Features of Electric Water Heaters:

  • Simple installation—no gas lines or venting required.
  • Often more compact and easier to fit in tight spaces.
  • May have higher energy costs depending on local electricity rates.

Which Is Right for You?

Your choice depends on factors like:

  • Energy costs in your area.
  • Installation requirements (gas line and venting vs. electrical setup).
  • Efficiency goals and environmental considerations.

If you’re unsure which option suits your home best, a professional assessment can help. Experts can review your current setup and recommend the most efficient solution for your needs.

Ready for an upgrade? Contact us to schedule an evaluation and get the perfect water heater for your home.

5 Reasons To Rent A Water Heater

5 Reasons To Rent A Water Heater

Are you trying to decide whether you should rent or buy your next water heater with the intention of minimizing costs and maximizing efficiency? Today, we’ll take a look at the benefits of renting versus buying, ensuring that you make the best choice for you and your family’s lifestyle. With 5 clear benefits, your decision will be a no-brainer. 

Annual Cost

Cost is an important factor to consider when deciding to buy or rent a water heater. The average cost of purchasing and installing a new water heater can range anywhere from $1200- $1500. Ouch. This number doesn’t include service and maintenance fees which can average $100 per service. 

On the off chance that your purchased water heater leaks, you may have to call a plumber to come in and change your water heater. The moment that the plumber shows up you may be looking at a bill that could run anywhere from $100 – $400 depending on the time and severity of the issue. Mentally picturing all the dollar signs? We get it. 

At Reliance Heath, our water heaters are rented annually. When you choose to rent a water heater instead of buying one, you are agreeing to an annual fixed price, with no hidden charges or surprises. We will provide you with a recommendation that is tailored specifically to your personal needs. We are able to determine this by factoring in the size of your home and the number of occupants. Based on this information, we will install the Bradford White water heater that is best suited for your lifestyle. Our free-of-charge service includes a 12 point service inspection to ensure that your new water heater is running efficiently. Say goodbye to the daunting question: “how much is this going to cost me?”

Free Maintenance

We’ve touched on the steep maintenance fees that can rack up (often at the most inconvenient times) when you own your water heater. We understand that these unexpected problems can throw a wrench in your life and leave your wallet feeling much lighter than anticipated. When you rent a water heater through Reliance Heath, there are NO additional costs to service your water heater. We provide routine maintenance-free of charge to all of our customers, prolonging its overall efficiency and lifespan. 

Having an issue with your water heater? We’ll be out within a day to assess the problem and provide a resolution. Renting is ultimately the contingency plan that buying will never be able to provide you with.

Reliable Product Line

Although it may seem insignificant at times, hot water provides you with not only practical uses but relaxation and memories that shape the way you live your life. It’s the well-deserved bath after a long day and the teachable moments of washing the dishes with your children.

At Reliance Heath, we recognize the importance of this and that’s why we use only the best commercial and residential brand available. Our highly trained technicians trust Bradford White Water Heaters. Their large selection of gas, electric, and power vented water heaters provide our customers with: 

  • Quality: Never worry if you’re going to run out of hot water again. Bradford White water heaters are built to last. We’ve trusted their brand for years and our customers have continued to have hot water, year after year. 
  • Safety: Bradford White products are designed with the highest level of safety. Their well-designed and engineered safety valves provide you with peace of mind. 

The water heater brand and service that you choose should be able to provide you with effective and efficient hot water solutions. Bradford White and Reliance Heath will deliver just that. 

Ability to Upgrade

Are you seeing a significant increase in hot water due to additional occupants within your home or a number of other factors? No problem. When you rent, you have the ability to upgrade your water heater to the size that’s going to deliver the hot water that you require, 365 days of the year. Our team of trained technicians will assess your home and provide you with the size and type of water heater that best fits your unique needs. 

Peace of Mind 

Finally, the last and most comforting reason that you should rent a water heater is for peace of mind. If an issue ever arises, knowing that the team at Reliance Heath is just one quick phone call away can make a world of difference. We’re always here and available to answer any of your questions or concerns, free of charge. 

The Decision Is Yours 

At Reliance Heath Water Heater Rentals, we strongly believe in the quality of our products and services, and you should too. Have questions? We’d love to get in touch. Call Reliance Heath to learn more.