Water softeners can save significant amounts of money and energy in the home, according to a major study by the independent Battelle Institute. The report, commissioned by the Water Quality Research Foundation (WQRF) in 2009, found that softeners help preserve the efficiency of water heaters and major appliances, as well as keep showers and faucets unclogged. In the study, dishwashers and washing machines were operated for 30 days and completed 240 wash cycles on soft and hard water sources.  The units using soft water were almost completely free of any water scale buildup, and they appeared as if they could be cleaned up to look like new with just a quick wipe down.  The appearance of the inside of units using hard water showed the need for de-liming and cleaning due to the buildup of scale deposits.