| More than 60% of Britain suffers from the effects | | | | more detergent if you live in a hard water area. |
| of hard water*. | | | | How to minimise the effects of hard water |
| What is hard water? | | | | - Use the correct soaps and detergents. |
| "Hard" water is the term used to describe water that | | | | - Use a lower temperature setting for your boiler, |
| has a high content of dissolved minerals, specifically | | | | dishwasher and washing machine. |
| calcium and magnesium. It is not a health risk but can | | | | - Install an electronic descaler to soften the water. |
| cause a variety of other problems. | | | | The benefits of an electronic water descaler |
| Problems associated with living in a hard water area | | | | - Substantially reduce "scum" marks on sinks, baths |
| include: | | | | & kettles. |
| - Hard water can affect soap, shampoo and | | | | - Chemical free solution to water softening. |
| detergent performance, they produce less lather | | | | - No moving parts, fit and forget. |
| which then requires the use of more soap/detergent | | | | - No need for regular refilling or maintenance. |
| shampoo. This is harmful to the environment. | | | | - Self-monitoring, will indicate any system fault, |
| - Your hair may appear dull. | | | | internally or externally. |
| - Skin feels dry. | | | | - Avoid using more of environmentally damaging |
| - Clothes are more difficult to rinse. | | | | cleaning materials that become less effective in hard |
| - Deposits of scum can make fabrics feel coarse. | | | | water. |
| - Scale combined with soap equals scum - this clings | | | | - Does not effect the chemical composition of the |
| to baths, basins, tiles & taps etc making cleaning | | | | water, is healthy to drink. |
| more difficult and time consuming. | | | | - Relatively low cost solution. |
| Hidden costs | | | | - All the benefits attributed to softer water, kinder |
| - When heated hard water can leave deposits of | | | | to skin etc. |
| scale at a rate of 1.5mm per year. This cause boilers | | | | - Less Detergent Required |
| and tanks to lose capacity and pipes to narrow. | | | | - Reduce Heating Costs. Avoid using increasingly more |
| Government statistics demonstrate that 6mm of | | | | fuel to drive the system as scale reduces flow. |
| scale can reduce the efficiency of your heating | | | | - No tricky installation, easy to attach, & plug |
| system by up to 38%. This has obvious cost and | | | | into standard power outlet. |
| environmental implications. An average domestic boiler | | | | - Avoid having to prematurely replace pipe-work, |
| could cost more than £1,000 to replace. | | | | boilers, storage tanks, radiators, showers, washing |
| - The build up of 'limescale' reduces both the | | | | machines, etc. due to scale build-up. |
| performance and life expectancy of domestic | | | | How soon will I notice the benefits |
| appliances that heat water including your iron, | | | | Once installed, the unit will begin to soften the water |
| dishwasher and washing machine. This has a knock | | | | and prevent further build up of limescale. Deposits |
| on effect for the running costs of your home. | | | | built up over many years take longer to eliminate but |
| - The extra cost of limescale removers, fabric | | | | will disappear as softer water passes through the |
| softeners and detergents can equate to more than | | | | pipes, this process can take a few months but when |
| £200 per year. Your washing machine may | | | | you consider that the deposits have taken decades |
| need around five times as much soap and up to 30% | | | | to build up, it is a relatively quick process. |