Water softners: Electronic vs. Salt...

[Mike Deblis]

Hi,

We live near Tonbridge in Kent, which is a hard water area. We are putting in UFH, and the supplier is recommending a softener - they are suggesting either a "Salamander Electrolytic Scale Inhibitor" (approx 170 quid), or a "Genus SD500 metered high-flow water softener" (approx. 490 quid).

Are these reasonable options? Is there any evidence at all that these "electronic" scale inhibitors work at all? If they do, it'd be very convenient, as the SD500 requires filling with salt every 4 months...

Thoughts? Experiences?

many thanks

Mike

[Doctor Evil]

Try a Scalewatcher electronic and try it for 6 months. If no joy then get your money back. I have an electronic one and it works. Depending on conditions sometime they are not that effective.

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[Christian McArdle]

None whatsoever, unless you consider "working" in terms of making their inventors very rich by supplying a 5p bit of plastic with flashing LEDs for

170 quid, making a cool 169.95 on every sale.

Go for the metered high flow ion exchange softener. That actually does something.

Christian.

[Christian McArdle]

You could also try casting a spell. Just as likely to be effective.

They rely on setting the price at a level that you won't bother. They know that they don't work. If only 50% send them back because the others are too embarrassed or credulous, then they'll still make a healthy profit.

Yeeeeeessss. (Paxman style).

Christian.

[Doctor Evil]

Stop making thing up. I have one and it works.

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[Doctor Evil]

You could also stop making things up. I have one and it WORKS!!!!!! Nothing worse than a know-it-all.

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[Mike Deblis]

How do you know?

Mike

[Pete C]

Hi,

What do you want the softener to do, protect a boiler from scale or create soft water for showers and bathing? An electronic one might do the former but won't do the latter very well.

cheers, Pete.

[Mike Deblis]

Just protect the UFH/manifold components. I couldn't give too much of a monkeys about domestic use (though perhaps I should...)

Mike

[Christian McArdle]

It speaks to him. He hears voices...

Christian.

[Christian McArdle]

The UFH itself should not have constantly replaced water, unless there are some nasty leaks. It recirculates the same water. There is absolutely no need to protect any sealed central heating system against limescale. You should put corrosion inhibitor in though, ensuring it is compatible with your UFH solution.

Only water systems using fresh water need protection, basically your cold supply and DHW. If it doesn't come out of a tap, then don't worry.

Christian.

[Doctor Evil]

You are an idiot.

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[Doctor Evil]

I looked and hey presto, it works. Duh!

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[Steve Firth]

None.

[Doctor Evil]

Mine works

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[dennis]

If it does come out of a tap buy the one that needs the salt. Its an ion exchange based one and they do actually soften the water.

The concept of fitting one to the sealed side of a heating system makes me think you need to reconsider who is doing the job for you.

[Adrian C]

It consumes electricity, true.

-- Adrian

[Gel]

I have an electronic one, but makes little difference; tried after my conventional one failed.

Can highly recommend The Genus range which the trade use, but they have no website to my knowledge. Much cheaper than local water softener coy here near Newbury.

[Doctor Evil]

And gets rid of scale. IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get it?

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[ARWadsworth]

I thought that was a TV detector. Usually shown to non licence holders about

10 seconds after an inspector sees your TV through the window.

Adam