How Does Hard Water Affect Domestic Appliances? The Benefits of Using an Electronic Water Descaler

More than 60% of Britain suffers from the effects of hard water*.

What is hard water?

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"Hard" water is the term used to describe water that has a high content of dissolved minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium. It is not a health risk but can cause a variety of other problems.

Problems associated with living in a hard water area include:

Hard water can affect soap, shampoo and detergent performance, they produce less lather which then requires the use of more soap/detergent/ shampoo. This is harmful to the environment. Your hair may appear dull. Skin feels dry. Clothes are more difficult to rinse. Deposits of scum can make fabrics feel coarse. Scale combined with soap equals scum - this clings to baths, basins, tiles & taps etc making cleaning more difficult and time consuming.
Hidden costs

When heated hard water can leave deposits of scale at a rate of 1.5mm per year. This cause boilers and tanks to lose capacity and pipes to narrow. Government statistics demonstrate that 6mm of scale can reduce the efficiency of your heating system by up to 38%. This has obvious cost and environmental implications. An average domestic boiler could cost more than £1,000 to replace. The build up of 'limescale' reduces both the performance and life expectancy of domestic appliances that heat water including your iron, dishwasher and washing machine. This has a knock on effect for the running costs of your home. The extra cost of limescale removers, fabric softeners and detergents can equate to more than £200 per year. Your washing machine may need around five times as much soap and up to 30% more detergent if you live in a hard water area.
How to minimise the effects of hard water

Use the correct soaps and detergents. Use a lower temperature setting for your boiler, dishwasher and washing machine. Install an electronic descaler to soften the water.
The benefits of an electronic water descaler

Substantially reduce "scum" marks on sinks, baths & kettles. Chemical free solution to water softening. No moving parts, fit and forget. No need for regular refilling or maintenance. Self-monitoring, will indicate any system fault, internally or externally. Avoid using more of environmentally damaging cleaning materials that become less effective in hard water. Does not effect the chemical composition of the water, is healthy to drink. Relatively low cost solution. All the benefits attributed to softer water, kinder to skin etc. Less Detergent Required Reduce Heating Costs. Avoid using increasingly more fuel to drive the system as scale reduces flow. No tricky installation, easy to attach, & plug into standard power outlet. Avoid having to prematurely replace pipe-work, boilers, storage tanks, radiators, showers, washing machines, etc. due to scale build-up.
How soon will I notice the benefits

Once installed, the unit will begin to soften the water and prevent further build up of limescale. Deposits built up over many years take longer to eliminate but will disappear as softer water passes through the pipes, this process can take a few months but when you consider that the deposits have taken decades to build up, it is a relatively quick process.

* To see a map of hard water areas in the UK go to www.dishwasher-care.org.uk/facts.html.

How Does Hard Water Affect Domestic Appliances? The Benefits of Using an Electronic Water Descaler

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Kenmore Water Softener - Is The Kenmore The Top Choice To Help You Achieve Optimum Health?

Today, many people are buying the Kenmore water softener for their home in order to improve their health. With the amount of harmful chemicals and bacteria in our water supply, it is absolutely essential to have a purifier or softener of some sort in order to eliminate them and give you crisp, clean drinking water.

water softener resin

Kenmore water softeners range from the inexpensive Ultra soft 175 water softener to the top-of-the-range 880 model, with all the gradients in between. The Ultra soft 175 is perfect for a small household with average water hardness.

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Regeneration is initiated on demand, and it includes a usage increase option button to cover you if you have guests. It is operated via computer, which is set upon installation.

It has a six-hour memory in case of a power failure and comes with a one-year guarantee on electrics and ten years on the tank. At the other end of the Kenmore spectrum is the sophisticated Ultra soft 880, which is capable of softening the water of large households with hard water.

The Kenmore water softener is responsible for providing crystal clear good tasting water free from chemical contaminants and other impurities. It also gives great water for cooking, drinking, beverages and baby formula. There should be no compromise in water intake as water is the medium for digestion, absorption, and metabolism.

The Kenmore water softener prevents scale build-up on plumbing and appliances, encourages soaps to lather better and work more efficiently, increases the softness and overall life of fabric, and makes housework quicker and easier. It gives soft water for clean conditioned soft water for all of your household cleaning, laundry and bathing needs.

Kenmore includes a comprehensive section on the benefits of soft water. It prevents scale build-up on plumbing and appliances, encourages soaps to lather better and work more efficiently, increases the softness and overall life of fabric, and makes housework quicker and easier.

A Kenmore water softener features the following:

Dependable Controls: State-of-the-art electronics for dependable performance.

Rotary Disc Valve: Conserves water fewer parts, maintenance-free operation and is cost effective.

Quality Materials and Workmanship: 1 to 3 years warranty on parts.

Durable Resin and Salt Storage Tank: Corrosion resistant.

Therefore, if you are in the market for a new water softener, the Kenmore water softener should certainly be a priority to check out. Is it right of you? Only you can make that determination. Do your research, compare more water softeners, and find the best one for your health now.

Kenmore Water Softener - Is The Kenmore The Top Choice To Help You Achieve Optimum Health?

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Wasting Water Vs Conserving Water

Water is important, but it is also abundant. Or so most of us tend to think since we always have steady water supply. But H2O is not as abundant as you think, and scientists fear that at some point, the earth's H2O supply will be depleted. If you think you're not contributing to this possibility, think again. There are many ways water can be wasted, and you might be guilty of most of them.

How you might be wasting water

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1. Leaving the water running when doing certain tasks

This is a common way of wasting water, which some people are not even aware of doing. This is commonly done when people brush teeth, wash their face, or wash the dishes. Sometimes, out of sheer habit, people simply forget to turn the water off. Try to be conscious of your actions when using water. Shut off the faucet when brushing your teeth or soaping the dishes, then turn it on for rinsing.

2. Using a dishwasher

If you think using a dishwasher can keep water from getting wasted, then you're in for a surprise. Make sure you use your dishwasher properly; if not you will waste more water than you realize. Run your dishwasher only when it is full. It would also help to look for an Energy Star qualified dishwasher.

3. Showering and shaving

A lot of men and women leave the water on while shaving to have water ready when it's needed. What you can do, however, is fill the sink halfway with water then turn off the faucet. Also, while putting conditioner on your hair, you can turn off the shower while waiting for your hair to get conditioned.

4. Washing cars

Using a hose when washing cars can waste a lot of H2O. If you want to conserve water, use a bucket of water instead then use the hose for the final rinsing. And if you have a lawn, washing the car on the lawn will also water the lawn in the process, saving you even more water.

5. Leaking pipes

Do a regular check up of all your pipes, faucets, and toilets to make sure there are no leaks. Leaks can waste a lot of water. You may think that leaks are insignificant since they only release small droplets of water anyway. But it does so constantly. In an entire day that a leak is left unattended, you already waste up to around 200 gallons of water. If you see a leak in any of your pipes, faucets, or toilets, make sure to have it fixed as soon as possible.

6. Throwing stuff into the toilets

Do not throw anything into your toilets. Toilet bowls are not garbage cans. Some people throw tissue paper, hair, dead insects, and so on into toilet bowls then flush them down. This is an unnecessary use of toilet water.

Conserve water with help

You can get help in conserving water so you can save a lot at home, which will also help you save money in the process. What you can do is buy efficient water appliances such as low-flow showerheads and faucets. For water treatment systems, choose a unit that prevents backwashing, which wastes a lot of water. And to save energy as well, look for Energy Star qualified products such as water treatment systems.

Wasting Water Vs Conserving Water

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Descaling Metal Water Pipes - Reviews

There are several methods for internal pipe descaling. It is essential to gain some insights on what these different types of water pipe descalers are in order for you to correctly get the ideal one that is well suited for you; based on your intended purpose. Water with a high salt or mineral content has numerous damaging effects.

It is for this reason that water descalers were made in order to reduce or eliminate the mineral content present in the water to get rid of its negative effects. However, it is important to note that there are also salt-based water softeners that contribute to this problem; therefore the ideal type is the salt free type of water softener.

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One of the numerous types of descalers is the magnetic one. This involves the use of several magnets that are strategically placed in various places of a metallic water pipe. This system is said to be effective in preventing scale build-up inside the pipe; as well as soften the water. The cost of each magnet is quite expensive; and if you have a long pipe run then the required amount of investment is going to be quite huge. Because of this, only big companies are using this type.

The other type is the electric descaler that uses an electric pulse; sent through the water in order to effectively minimize or prevent scale build-up. Although this method seems effective in minimizing such build-up, the claim that it will also eliminate dissolved metals is dubious.

Reverse Osmosis is another type that is quite popular and common; mainly because this method has been used for several years already. This was first used for the purpose of desalinating sea water in order to make it potable and safe for drinking. This method is well known for providing excellent quality drinking water; that is why this is prevalent in many places today.

The electro-magnetic water descaler is another type; which is like a combination between the two other types: the electric and the magnetic. Hence, the principle behind this method is the combination of both the aforesaid two types. This is quite effective in preventing scale build-up; as well as in softening the water to some extent.

Water system descalers are not generally used in many households today because of the use of copper or plastic piping, but they are used on steel or iron pipes which are found in older homes. Filtering the incoming supply of water with a whole house filtration system will solve this problem with numerous other benefits.

Descaling Metal Water Pipes - Reviews

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Water Treatment Magnets Are Useful In Cleaning The Water

Water magnets are one way to treat hard water, when the water passes through the magnetic pull the minerals (calcium, and magnesium). The stronger the magnetic field the better your water is affected. This will reduce your costs for pipers and other systems because it is said that it will minimize your blockage caused from the minerals building up in your water system.

No more itchy skin!

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Since the water treatment magnets will collect a lot of the minerals from your water that makes your water hard, you should notice that your water would change. Like you will notice that your skin no longer has a residue or your skin won't itch as much any more. It will help you with your skin conditions.

When you compare this system with a salt solution system, magnets will be healthier for your family and plants because when you use a water softener (salt) you are putting large amounts of salt for your animal or family to drink, which can be deadly if consumed in large amounts. Salt will dehydrate you.

Usually people who have town water will use the magnets because there is chloride in the water and, it is said to be caught, by the magnetic system. For decades, people have been using this system to treat their water so that they can reduce the hardness caused by large amounts of calcium and magnesium. It also will de-scale your pipe and system build up.

Removing the icons

All you have to do is attach it to the intake water pipe and you will see and feel a difference. You can use them on copper and plastic pipes and you can attach the magnets by using wire, duct tape, a clamp, or even string. You want to place the magnetic between the main valve and the water heater and you may place another one on the pipe that allows the water to exit from the water heater. This way you are sure to remove some of the icons.

Hundreds of people use the magnets to help soften their water and have claimed that they can feel and even taste a difference in water. However there is some controversy on rather it reduces the amount of minerals are just neutralize them from showing their true colors.

However, it is proven that you will notice a different when you are showing or bathing. You may want to purchase drinking water; even though it won't really cause that, much harm to you, but it may taste funny or have a smell.

Water Treatment Magnets Are Useful In Cleaning The Water

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Total Hardness and Water Quality

Most adults have learned that water can be soft or hard. They have learned, too, that there is a connection between total hardness and water quality. Hard water reduces the power of your soap. In fact, hard water is often detected by noting the amount of soap required to form lather. Hard water may build up in hot water pipes and appliances, producing scale.

Hard Water Defined

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Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved calcium, magnesium, and other mineral salts such as iron. The greater the amount of dissolved minerals in the water, the harder it is.

Total hardness is measured in grains per gallon (gpg) or parts per million (ppm). If water contains less than 3.5 gpg, it is considered soft water. If it contains more than 7 gpg, it is considered hard water. The American Society of Engineers' water hardness classification table breaks it down this way.

* Soft: 0 to 3.5 gpg - 0 to 60 ppm

* Moderate: 3.6 to 7 gpg - 61 to 120 ppm

* Hard: 7.1 to 10.5 gpg - 121 to 180 ppm

* Very Hard: More than 10.5 gpg - more than 180 ppm

Making the Connection

Total hardness and water quality are connected. Hard water is safe for drinking, cooking, and other household uses, but it can cause problems.

One way in which total hardness and water quality are connected is the effect of such water on household plumbing. Total hardness means a build-up of scales inside pipes, especially those carrying hot water.

Total hardness and water quality are also connected in their effect on appliances that use water. Dishwashers and washing machines can decrease in cleaning and laundering ability. Water heaters can become less efficient. Refrigerators that dispense water can become clogged.

Aesthetically, total hardness and water quality are connected in those white, chalky deposits that accumulate on tubs, sinks, and cookware.

U.S. Water Quality

According to the 1997 National Water Quality Survey, 1 of 5 people surveyed in the U.S. is dissatisfied with the water quality in his or her home. This is related to the fact given by the U.S. Geological Survey: that 85 percent of the U.S. has hard water. Many people install water softeners in their homes to improve water quality.

Determining Water Quality

You can have your water quality tested if you are moving into a new area or a new home. If you have been living in the same home for a while, you will know if your water is hard by looking for these 7 signs:

1. You have difficulty working up lather from a bar of soap.

2. Your soaps and detergents don't seem to clean well - you have dingy laundry in spite of your efforts to get it clean.

3. In the shower or bath, your soap leaves a film on your body and hair - you have dry skin and dull, limp hair.

4. You have to battle soap scum on bathtubs, shower tiles and doors, basins, and fixtures.

5. You see an increasing buildup of scale on your cookware such as tea kettle, coffee maker, and pasta pot. Your plumbing also contains scale.

6. Clogged pipes or appliances mean that water flow is reduced.

7. Your water heating costs are increasing due to scale buildup and mineral deposits, and you have to replace hot water heating elements more often.

Improving Water Quality

Treatment can improve water quality. You may use electromagnetic water conditioners, water filters, or water softeners.

Electromagnetic water conditioners improve water quality by sending water through a magnetic field. As the water passes between the magnets, its calcium and magnesium ions lose their scale-causing properties. Studies show that this relatively new invention does not technically soften water, but water quality is improved in that it no longer causes buildup of scales. Clothing also lasts longer, which is a definite increase in water quality.

Water filters are a second option for improving water quality, especially drinking water. Water filters can provide healthy drinking water by removing chlorine and other contaminants contained in water. Water filters can soften water, but they will not prevent scale buildup in pipes and water heaters.

Water softeners are a common way of improving water quality, and come in two types: chemical and mechanical. The water produced by chemical water softeners is not acceptable drinking water. Packaged chemicals are added directly to improve water quality in laundering and bathing, and are effective both in protecting clothing and guarding against dry skin and hair. Mechanical water softeners installed in your home will replace dissolved calcium and magnesium salts with sodium. This water is also not acceptable for drinking, especially by those who have hypertension. The water quality is greatly improved, however, for other uses. Lime scale is prevented; water heaters function efficiently; and laundered clothing is both cleaner and longer-lasting.

Soft Water

On the other end of the spectrum, total hardness and water quality are a benefit when that hardness level is below 3.5 gpg or 60 ppm. Soft water allows you to use less shampoo and soap, yet have shinier hair and softer skin. Soft water requires less soap or detergent in shower, laundry, kitchen, and household cleaning chores. It helps close look cleaner and last longer. It keeps water-using appliances and plumbing from wearing out as fast. Soft water keeps dishes and eating utensils spot-free, and extends the life of tea kettles and other cookware. Soft water reduces cleaning time by eliminating soap scum and buildup of scales.

Total hardness and water quality are closely connected, and you may find it worthwhile to use a water treatment system to improve your water quality - especially your drinking water.

Total Hardness and Water Quality

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Culligan Water Filters Review

There are many types of Culligan water filters, but only three models have managed to inch their way up to the top ratings. These are: the Gold Series Culligan, the Iron Cleer Culligan and the Super S Culligan. Other water filter models from Culligan include the Filtr Cleer, built to segregate large portions of dirt, clay, soil and sediments from the water; the Cullar, which specializes in the removal of chlorine smell and taste from the water; and the Cullneu, which aims to control or neutralize the acidity in water. Conclusively, there is a Culligan model for every type of need - one of the great things about the Culligan is its highly customizable feature.

Specifically, the Culligan US-EZ-4 Undersink Filter passed the Consumer Search Review with flying colors, grabbing first place in the under-sink category of water filtration systems. This model is primarily easy to install and home owners have found that other brands of similar features do require professional service installations. The effective filtering results in great tasting water. The filters last longer than other types of filters, lasting up to six months - commeasurate to 500 gallons of water.

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Culligan water filters have their own drawbacks as well. Once you have purchased a Culligan, you are locked into using the Culligan brand of replacement filters which could cost a bit more than the others. Another setback is the reported breakage of some plastic parts, which renders the Culligan not very durable. Other consumers also find that the annual service contract is slightly expensive therefore, it is wise to read the contract thoroughly before signing up for a yearly service membership.

In totality, the performance of most Culligan models is satisfactory and answers to three of the average consumer's biggest concerns: easy installation, effective filtration and good tasting water. The plastic faucet in some of the models has been received negative feedback though, and the mediocre quality of the plastic used needs to be upgraded.

Culligan Water Filters Review

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