Hard Water - The Problems and the Solutions
The Problem - Hard water on tap
In Britain today a very large proportion of the population (approximately 60%) is supplied with hard water or very hard water. Whether water is soft, hard or very hard, depends on the level of various salts in the water. In particular calcium and magnesium carbonate, these occur naturally in fresh water.
Hard water contains 200 to 300mg of these salts per litre (parts per million) and very hard water contains over 300mg per litre (referred to as limescale).
The Effect? Money down the drain.
Hard water cost money. Literally down the drain. Limescale deposits not only fur up and tend to block the water pipes, especially in heating systems, they also have an adverse effect on kettles, coffee makers, washing machines, dishwashers, electric irons and worst of all usually, the hidden effect inside the water tank, the boiler and on immersion heaters where in some cases the limescale can be 2" to 3" thick.
There is no pleasure in using hard water. It is difficult to lather, it can irritate your skin, particularly people who have eczema and of course young babies. It causes scum around hand basins, baths and showers.
Apart from the dangers of furring up there is additional cost of detergents, chemicals and water softening agents. How our products work is explained here - magnetic water treatment
Health Issues
Water softeners are used by people with sensitive skin and those who particularly like the feel of washing in soft water (as opposed to hard water) or are concerned about the possible long term effects of hard water and not using water conditioners on washing machines, dishwashers, kettles, coffee makers or other appliances install hard water treatment systems in their homes. Water softeners are also used by those who want to save money.
The Solution - What you can do
 Many people accept hard water because although they know about it, they are reluctant to acquire big and expensive pieces of water softener equipment to fit in their homes. Some haven't got the space for traditional hard water treatment or water purification equipment. Our magnetic water softeners (water conditioners) do not need specialist fitting, don't take much space and need no cutting of water pipes or replumbing.
You can now:
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contact us for further information on our water softeners or
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You can of course ignore the problem. Apart from the personal discomfort this will be a very expensive choice. Firstly your hot water system cost increases by 25% with just 4mm of scale, whereas the Water Imp costs only around £4 p.a. to run. The working life of your washing machine, coffee machine, kettle, electronic iron, immersion heater, dishwasher are all affected.
Extra soap and detergent used in hard water areas also cost money and can lead to skin irritation.
How can I be certain they will work for me?
Our research and experience indicates that our units work in all hard water areas of the United Kingdom and Europe. We have installations as far north as the Shetland Isles and as far south as the Channel Islands and from West Wales to East Anglia. Worldwide they are operating in Europe, Malta and the Canary Islands the USA and Australia. This research and experience enables us to offer with confidence our two unequivocal guarantees.
How soon will I see the benefit?
In a very short time. In approximately four weeks, you will notice the water begins to feel softer. Taps, shower roses and other outlets gradually lose their coating of scale. Lather will increase and the use of detergents will be reduced. Your appliances, washing machine, dishwasher, kettle, coffee maker, will all begin to shed their scale. If you are not happy, we have a no quibble guarantee.
To purchase or enquire please click here, to contact us or place an order over the phone, please click here.
Most important of all are the effects you do not see. The Super Imp will break down the limescale build up inside your boiler, hot tank, on the immersion heater, your heating system, including radiators.
Do the Water Imps conform to current safety standards?
The Water Imps bear the CE mark which signifies that they conform to the following European standards:
EN55014 (Emmissions)
EN50082-1 (immunity).
Here’s how our water conditioners work
The Water Imps are Electronic Water Conditioners (using magnetic water treatment) which use very powerful low frequency signals transmitted asynchronously via an aerial to create a strong magnetic field, which has the effect of altering the formation of calcium carbonate crystals (limescale), so that they remain in suspension in small particles and do not form hard crystalline deposits (hard water scale) inside pipes, boilers and domestic appliances.
| In more detail - When water passes through a magnetic field magnetic poles of water molecules are activated, the positive ca-ions and negative carbonate ions attract and collide. This in turn results in the formation of CaCo3 molecules corresponding to argonite, which subsequently crystallizes. Since these crystals are microscopic and flow with the water, scale formation is prevented and water is effectively softened. Magnetic water has a higher solvency power which along with micro crystalline calcium particles offers many health enhancing benefits. |
The result is that the limescale is prevented from depositing itself on pipework, water tanks, boilers etc., and even though the water is not actually softened in the traditional sense of the word, it has the same beneficial effects and feeling of softened water – with any chemicals.
Water Conditioning Advantages include the following:
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Inhibits Limescale deposits
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Less Detergent Required
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Reduces Heating Costs (lime scale build up can cost you an extra 25% extra in heating bills)
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Extends Life of Plumbing and Appliances
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Sink and Bath Surfaces Easier to Clean
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Keeps Shower Heads Clean
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Retain natural health giving minerals
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Water can be used for drinking and cooking
Our Electronic Water Conditioner Product Advantages:
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Silent and unobtrusive
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No power supply needed (certain models)
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Low cost £4 / £5 per year
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Easily Fitted, No Pipes to Cut, 30 minute DIY installation
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No plumbing, no chemicals, no maintenance, no fuss
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Modern technology, fully computerised
Magnetic Water Conditioner Research
Recent research shows that this magnetic treatment can reduce calcium carbonate scale formation by up to 80%. Modern development in the field of electronics has enabled us to bring about this revolution in water treatment. The result is effective breakdown of limescale and its prevention, without the problems of plumbing , installation, high running costs and maintenance. Moreover the Water Imps have the advantages of retaining healthy minerals in the water and eliminating the need for a separate drinking water tap.
Consumer reports
Consumer reports are important , but H2onics invented Super Imp and we wanted our product laboratory tested. With this in mind we are proud to be able to give you an outline of the 30-day trial conducted by the Department of Chemical Engineering University of Bath University on our water softners and other competitive hard water treatment products. More background information is given on the magnetic water softeners theory page.
Scientific trial
Tests were performed at RFI Laboratories, Basingstoke when the efficiency of the unit was proven. The objective of this trial was to evaluate whether or not a Super Imp water softner could reduce the level of scale formation within domestic hot water / radiator heating system.
A section of pipe from the system that had a Super Imp installed had no visible lime scale deposits in it, exactly as it did when the experiment was started.
When a section from the system without a Super Imp installed was examine, scale formation was clearly seen on the inside wall of the pipe. This trial reports showed significant results after just 30 days.
(Do you have photos of the trial)
The Experiment's Conclusions:
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The Super Imp device has been shown to reduce the deposition of scale under the conditions tested. This has been confirmed by analysis of both total dissolved solids and conductivity in parallel trials using a simulated domestic hot water / radiator heating system.
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The Super Imp has prevented the deposition of about 10 mg of scale/day for 30cm length of 1 inch pipe under the conditions tested.
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The Super Imp device has been shown not to effect the pH of water passing through piping where it has been installed.
Tests were also made on competitive products which were current market leaders and it was proven that the output from the Water Imps were superior to that of the other units over the effective low frequency range. This means that the stronger signals and stronger magnetic field which our aerial products have, have a more efficient effect on the breakdown of the crystals than the other units tested. | 
