Tags: Questions, Science
Do electronic limescale inhibitors work?
June 22nd, 2005, by Rich.
I’ve been intermittently toying with the idea of fitting an Anti-Limescale device to the water supply in our home.
Today, with the delivery of a new phone book, I got a flyer describing a product called ScaleWatcher which reminded me of my occasional curiosity with the subject. It’s a nice convincing-looking flyer, with a money back guarantee, so I’m tempted to give it a go.
We have a nice glass sided kettle so it’ll be really obvious if it actually works.
I may be forced to try a little experiment and take daily pictures of my kettle, so please spare me from the madness and give me some definite answers:
- Has anyone I know actually used a household electric water softener?
- Was the experience worthwhile?
- Are they any better than the magnetic or salt based ones?
March 9th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Similarly I have an interest in these items, as I sell water filters and would really like to be able to add these to our range.
Every one I have tried here in Bath, has not worked in back to back tests. Our water is hard (398mg/l).
Wessex Water have improved the quality of the water here, but I now have a “proper” softener.
That works, but it does need looking after and costs money to run (salt).
March 13th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Rich,
I, too, was just about to fit a water “conditioner” to augment the rather lame/expensive performance of our water softener, but thanks to your blog I’ve saved myself at least £100.
Where do I send the cheque….
Thanks!!!!
March 13th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
:D £100? That would be a monster bit of kit given that our local B&Q used to do them for £30. The amp on that baby must go all the way to eleven.
Perhaps Water Aid could do something more appropriate with it than I!
March 14th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
I’ve been making and selling our Little Plumbers for years and so far we have had nothing but praise. It’s really important to know if your plumbing system is VENTED or UNVENTED because if it’s vented you’ll need TWO units. One on the riser and one on the cold down pipe from the loft tank to the hot water cylinder. It shows you on my site.
It is also really important to speak to someone who “knows” what they are talking about because some Companies marketing electronic de-scalers simply don’t have a clue how they work. Also be sure you get one with a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE so if it doesn’t work you can get your money back.
We are proud of our Little Plumber range (www.littleplumber.com) and are happy to help anyone who needs to know a bit more.
March 23rd, 2007 at 4:58 pm
I’ve installed this one from Maplin:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=N72AU&DOY=23m3
http://www.kemo-electronic.com/en/module/m101a/index.htm
Doesn’t seem to be doing anything so far. I also uncovered this report by
the US Army that tested both static magnetic and electronic methods. It
found no effect.
http://www.cecer.army.mil/techreports/Hock_MagneticDescalers/Hock_MagneticDescalers.pdf
I think it’s probably hokum.
March 28th, 2007 at 9:45 am
It seems like they work for some people but not for others, so it’s very hit and miss. I am still considering buying a water imp. If it doesn’t work I can always send it back for a refund…
April 1st, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Having read thru the previous replies I am reasonably (not completely) convinced that these items are of little (if any) value.The lack of consistent evidence, scientific and anecdotal, would tend to suggest that the only parties who see positive results are parties who have a commercial interest in plugging the product/s. As with many ‘dubious’ products the more one pays the easier it becomes to identify the benefits. I’m looking to pay as much as possible.
April 9th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Several years ago - probably about 10 years ago - I bought and installed a Scalewatcher. I have to say that it did not work in anything like the way I had expected. That is to say, we continued to get limescale. The lack of success continued despite me being persuaded to try fitting on the outlet from our plastic coldwater storage tank.
However, I have encountered another product which promises to eradicate limescale. It is a CEPI Magnetic Conditioner produced by a Belgian company Vero Magnetics. The device is actually plumbed into the inlet water supply. It is said to work by causing the water to pass through what is in effect a magnetised funnel. Thereafter, the formation of hard and adherent scale is diminished or prevented - that is what the literature promises. The warranty promises replacement with another unit or complete reimbursement of the net invoiced sum within 2 years.
Why am I subjecting myself to manufacturer’s claims? First and foremost, I accept I have been influenced by a very persuasive salesman - a engineering friend of 30 years standing who works in the production of water features and who now has the distribution rights on the CEPI system in the UK. To be fair, he was not trying to sell me the product when the subject came up: we happened to be chatting on a social occasion and he did not know I had a prior interest in the subject.
From him I have gleaned the following facts: the CEPI device was developed by the man behing Vero Magnetics in the decade starting 1934. After the war, he patented his product worldwide. It has been used in a number of establishments where its very success has a curious effect. Go to, apparently, Rolls Royce and ask about their limescale problem. The answer will come that they do not have one. The reason is that many moons (and managers) ago, the CEPI units were installed and, because they require no maintenance or power, they have remained in place doing their job while those responsible for the decision to install them have moved on. Their legacy is perception that the factory has not got a limescale problem.
From my friend, I understand that the system is mandatory in Belgian households and that the Kent County Council is expressing interest.
As for me, well - I installed it into my rising main on Easter Saturday. I will wait and see. I have yet to install an additional unit, one between the pump of a power shower and the shower head, that is called for because the action of the pump removes the magnetising effect on the water.
I will keep you posted.
April 15th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Heres an interesting article with a load of references
http://www.etpwater.com/Reports/Keefe/keefe.html
April 15th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
And this
http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/sas/water/magnets/