Hard water can really shorten the lifespan of a water heater because the minerals, especially calcium and magnesium, settle at the bottom of the tank and create sediment buildup. That layer makes the heater work harder and can lead to higher energy bills or even overheating over time. In places like Amarillo, Texas, this is pretty common, so regular flushing helps a lot. I found this breakdown useful when looking into it myself: learn more about how mineral buildup affects plumbing systems overall.