Description
Limescale can be a major problem in hard water areas, causing blockages, requiring replacement of equipment, and decreasing heating efficiency and thereby increasing costs. Just 0.8mm of limescale can decrease heating efficiency by as much as 10%*. Observations have shown that the use of a HS38 may over time, lead to a reduction in the existing and problematic hard encrusted limescale from heating surfaces. Less limescale means greater efficiency.
HydroFLOW with its innovative patented design and unique, electronic signal, the HS38 is suitable for installation in houses of up to four bedrooms, and can protect combination boilers as well as vented and unvented cylinders.
The HS38 is designed to protect against hard limescale deposits in domestic pipelines and on heating elements and surfaces, to protect appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines, and to make limescale-stained taps, sinks and bathtubs easier to clean.
1. What is limescale?
Limescale largely consists of calcium carbonate deposit. It is a mineral residue which often adheres to heating surfaces inside of pipework, in a hard plaque or tartar-like layer.
In the home, limescale is often most noticeable on taps, in sinks and bathtubs, on showerheads and on the inside of domestic appliances such as kettles and dishwashers.
2. Why does limescale occur?
Water which is pumped to houses contains minerals. The level of these minerals will vary, depending on the geological make-up of the surrounding area, the way in which the water has been sourced (it may be ground water or surface water) and how it has been filtered for human consumption. In areas with ‘hard water’ (see map and explanation below), the water generally contains a relatively high amount of minerals when it reaches the home.
When water is rapidly heated, such as in a domestic heating system, this causes the minerals contained within the water to no longer be dissolved in the water and to stick to nearby surfaces (such as to the inside of a pipe, or to the plates of a heat exchanger element). Over time, layers of these mineral deposits build up and cause scaling or ‘furring’ in the plumbing system.
3. Why is limescale a problema?
When heating surfaces are covered with scale, their ability to transfer heat into the water is reduced. As a consequence, the efficiency of the system is affected. This has a knock-on effect on your domestic energy bills in your home.
Additionally, the presence of limescale on taps, in sinks, in bathtubs and inside kitchen appliances can necessitate intensive cleaning on a regular basis. This regular removal of hard scale deposits by cleaning can be time-consuming and may also involve the use of hazardous or unpleasant chemicals.
4. How exactly will the HS38 protect my home from limescale?
The HydroFLOW HS38 is a patented electronic water conditioner. It is a piece of equipment which fits around pipework and transmits an electronic signal into the water contained within. The signal propagates around the entire pipe system and causes the limescale present in the water to form into loose clusters. When the water is heated these clusters form crystals in suspension in the water which normally wash away with the flow, so that they no longer adhere to the inside of the pipework or to any other surfaces. Over time (depending on flow rate, water parameters, amount of heating etc), existing limescale which has already been formed in the system will begin to erode, again washing away with the flow of the water.
The HydroFLOW is environmentally friendly and easy to install – it involves no use of chemicals and requires no cutting or rearrangement of pipework. The HS38 unit runs off a standard power supply – all units are supplied with a standard plug and 3 metre-long power cable.
5. How does the HS38 eliminate the limescale from the wáter?
Unlike water softeners, the HS38 does not chemically alter the water. This means that the minerals are all still present. When the water is heated the minerals will form as powder. In most cases, this is washed away with the flow of water.
However, if the flow rate is low, then a small amount of this powder can build up over time, for instance in the bottom of a hot water cylinder, with the amount depending on the flow rate, hardness of the water and system configuration. If desired, this powdery residue can be dealt with by an occasional drain down or cleaning of the system.
6. ¿What if my home has pipes larger tan 38mm in outer diameter? Is the HS38 big enough?
You may require the installation of a slightly more powerful unit.
Please contact with CIC International Analytic and an engineer will advise you as soon as possible
7. What if I have a problema with limescale, biofouling or filtration in a larger comercial or industrial setting?
If you need assistance with preventing limescale or biofouling, or if you wish to improve filtration in a commercial or industrial application (such as in a cooling tower, swimming pool, water treatment plant or other setting), please take a look at the rest of our product range and contact with CIC International Analytic and engineer will advise you as son as possible.
