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Electronic Water Descalers

Water Descaler Technical

The problems with hard water
Hard water is rich in calcium and magnesium minerals. Hard water itself may not be considered a problem. However, the minerals in the water can lead to many other problems, including water systems. Limescale is the biggest problem caused by hard water.

Limescale is a form of crystalline calcium carbonate that is deposited out of hard water. Limescale is an all too familiar problem of hard water. It can lead to various problems in your home and skin health.

- Scale build-up in bathrooms and kitchens, particularly around water outlets.$0- Colours in washing can seem faded.
- Appliances and heating systems can become clogged with mineral deposits.$0- The efficiency and lifespan of appliances can be reduced as a result.$0- Hair and skin can become dry, brittle, and chapped.
- Soaps and detergents react badly, causing soap scum that is difficult to wash.$0- Lingering stains on glass and surfaces.

The mineral ions solidify when heated and bond to the nearest hard surface. When it is in contact with the inner surface of a pipe, it bonds with the existing scale build-up. This forms an ever-thickening hard residue.

Think limescale insulating the inside of a pipe

Over time, this residue can build up, blocking pipes and impeding water flow. The efficiency of heating systems can also decrease over time as the mineral buildup act as an insulator. Hard water can also lead to skin and hair problems too. Find out the effects of hard water on skin and hair.

Limescale also forms when water evaporates, leaving a scale residue that bonds to the surface. These scale deposits are most seen around water outlets or stains on glass and can be difficult to remove.

Do electronic water descalers work?

An electronic water descaler showing the coils of wire wrapped around a water pipe

An electronic water descaler (sometimes called a water conditioner) is one method to prevent hard water-associated problems. These are small devices that are connected next to the main water pipe. The device is connected to your main water pipe using wire coils wrapped around the pipe.

A water descaler does not alter or change the chemical composition of the water. Unlike water softening systems, nothing is removed from the water, and no chemicals are added. Using a water descaler does not soften water. Instead, it seeks to eliminate the associated scale build-up problems.

Using a water descaler can be a more effective water treatment method for removing the problems associated with hard water. A water descaler is a much more cost-effective solution that prevents scale build-up while retaining the health-beneficial minerals by charging the minerals.

Electronic water descalers are available for both domestic and commercial premises. Easy, economical solutions are available for both small and large homes. Heavy-duty water conditioning units are also available for larger commercial premises with more complex plumbing systems.

An electronic water descaler desgined for more complex water systems

How do water descalers work?
The purpose of water descaling is to affect the form of the calcium carbonate, not to change it chemically. This causes the calcium carbonate to remain as tiny particles suspended in the water instead of forming solid deposits without spoiling the water quality.

This reforming is effected using a time-variant magnetic field that is harmless to humans. The field is sufficiently concentrated within the antenna wound around the pipe to reform the calcium carbonate crystals. Unlike the static effect of a magnet, this field is tailored to optimise descaling.

The field uses computer-generated waveforms of varying frequencies to work effectively. Compared to electronic water softeners, this technique adds no additional chemicals to the water. It also does not affect its natural pH and retains all beneficial minerals. The result is still suitable for drinking water and cooking without a salty or metallic taste.

A diagram showing how the electromagnetic field from a water descaler works

The scientific effectiveness has been demonstrated by independent practical testing at The University of Bath. Compared with an unconditioned control, 10mg less scale was deposited per 300mm length of 25mm pipe after 30 days.

The inside of a pipe insulated with limescale before descalingThe inside of a pipe without limescale after descalingThe inside of a water pipe blocked by limescale

A close up of limescale

Check out these electronic water descaler FAQs.

Water descalers vs water softeners
Compared to water softeners, water descalers provide several benefits. Firstly, a water descaler is easy to install and set up. Once running, the descaler can be left to its own devices. The device will indicate a fault on the LED display if a fault occurs.

Salt-based water softeners also require regular salt replenishment to flush the resin beads. The ion exchange process replaces the hard water minerals with less problematic minerals. Water conditioning using this method is much more expensive and, most of the time, unnecessary.

Over time, the resin beads in water softeners become less effective at attracting minerals hindering the ion exchange. Regular regeneration is required using salt to flush the resin beads to solve this. Replenishing salt supplies can cost £8 to £25 per bag.

The water used during this regeneration process also becomes wastewater, leading to higher water bill costs. With a water condition unit, there is no increase in water bills. Power consumption is also much lower compared to reverse osmosis systems. Depending on the model, a conditioning unit uses between 2 and 9 watts of power.

Another great benefit of using water descalers is that all the health-beneficial minerals remain in the water. While you don’t get soft water, tap water is safe to drink without a salty or metallic taste. The beneficial calcium and magnesium remain in the water.

Most people can drink hard water without any side effects. Drinking hard water can contribute towards your recommended daily mineral intake. A common misconception about drinking hard water is that it can cause kidney stones. The majority of research has proved no such relationship.

Returns & money back guarantee
This is a performance guarantee. If you are unsatisfied with the scale removal and prevention results after 90 days of installation, please contact your authorised supplier. If the performance cannot be improved, you may return your unit.

In this instance, we will fully refund the purchase price. See our return policy for more details. Please note that this is in addition to our product guarantee against manufacturing defects (labour or material) for five years from the date of purchase.

This offer only applies to products purchased through Electrostore Online by phone or our website.