I have changed hundreds of electric water heater elements over the years when I was doing service work. I always knew a water heater on a water softener was cleaner but recently (before heating season) I had to change one of my own elements, the lower one. I was amazed to find the inside of my water heater, which is over 10 years old, looking like the day it was made. I'll keep my softener working for all the normal benefits you usually expect from it but this is another one not always thought about.