Electronic limescale remover

mutley74

BG man on boiler inspection recommended we get a electronic limescale remover fitted. Either from BG at £150, or done ourselves. He showed me that the limescale is starting to foul the boiler exchanger, shower heads..

I seen Wickes sell their own brand for £40. Not sure how easy these are to fit in terms does one need to replumb them to go thro the unit or do these electronic devices fit around the pipe?

Also can anyone suggest/recommend a good electronic limescaler that will last for years?

Bikertov

I got one when we renovated our house. I was very sceptical about them, but thought for aout £30 - 40 is was worth a punt. It plugs into the mains, and a coil wraps around the incoming water main.

Well, two years later and I realised that we have almost NO limescale build-up on taps, showers etc- and we live in a hard water area. So it does SEEM to work

When I get home, I will look up the make / model etc.

mutley74

Bikertov wrote: »

I got one when we renovated our house. I was very sceptical about them, but thought for aout £30 - 40 is was worth a punt. It plugs into the mains, and a coil wraps around the incoming water main.

Well, two years later and I realised that we have almost NO limescale build-up on taps, showers etc- and we live in a hard water area. So it does SEEM to work

When I get home, I will look up the make / model etc.

Sounds like if i can get a sparky to fit me a single socket/connection next to where unit will be located i can could fit it myself?? (BG inspection man recommended it is fitted in cold supply point just before boiler)

Bikertov

mutley74 wrote: »

Sounds like if i can get a sparky to fit me a single socket/connection next to where unit will be located i can could fit it myself?? (BG inspection man recommended it is fitted in cold supply point just before boiler)

My water main comes into the house in the utility room, under the sink. The limescale remover coil wraps round the main at that point.

I have 2 bouble sockets in the cupboard, for washing machine, tumble drier, plinth heater and limescale remover.

If you are going to wire in a single socket - fit a double. No difference in cost, and you never know when you will need an extra plug point !

mutley74

Bikertov wrote: »

My water main comes into the house in the utility room, under the sink. The limescale remover coil wraps round the main at that point.

I have 2 bouble sockets in the cupboard, for washing machine, tumble drier, plinth heater and limescale remover.

If you are going to wire in a single socket - fit a double. No difference in cost, and you never know when you will need an extra plug point !

I may need to be careful about fitting a socket, as boiler is in a cupboard within the bathroom. Other option would be fitting on cold supply at ground level.

Anyone else used an electronic limescale remover, and can recommend a brand?

Bikertov

mutley74 wrote: »

I may need to be careful about fitting a socket, as boiler is in a cupboard within the bathroom. Other option would be fitting on cold supply at ground level.

In any case, you should fit one of these devices as close to the incoming main as possible. This is because there will be tap offs before the bolier, and you want it to be effective on as much of the pipework as possible - not just the boiler.

mutley74

Bikertov wrote: »

In any case, you should fit one of these devices as close to the incoming main as possible. This is because there will be tap offs before the bolier, and you want it to be effective on as much of the pipework as possible - not just the boiler.

Thanks for tip, other option to fit is under the floorboard where the incoming supply enters the house. Will it be okay to fit this under a floorboard?

Thanks for the link - cant believe they offer a 10yr gtee!

Bikertov

mutley74 wrote: »

Thanks for tip, other option to fit is under the floorboard where the incoming supply enters the house. Will it be okay to fit this under a floorboard?

Thanks for the link - cant believe they offer a 10yr gtee!

This is the one I got - a and it has a LIFETIME guarantee !

http://www.calmagltd.com/caltronic

You want to make sure it is accessible, being an electrical item, so I would not recomment intalling under a floorboard - apart from anything, it would be a fire risk.

mutley74

Bikertov wrote: »

This is the one I got - a and it has a LIFETIME guarantee !

http://www.calmagltd.com/caltronic

You want to make sure it is accessible, being an electrical item, so I would not recomment intalling under a floorboard - apart from anything, it would be a fire risk.

Thanks for tip. Why does one need access to this? just curious how can the unit be a fire risk if fitted under a floorboard? ( I would fit the electrical unit to the side of a joist and make sure no debris was under the coils that go on the pipe.

Bikertov

I just reckon that any electrical 'appliance' that plugs into the mains is a potential risk, and should be accessible. If it is under the floorboards, how could you check it is not faulty / overheating etc at any point in the future ?

I have always found that anything 'hidden' is going to need access and maintenance at some point - and the more it is hidden the more you will need to get to it (s*ds law etc).

Presumably, the main comes up from under the floorboards to a main stopcock, in a cupboard or something ? Put the socket and device there !

Just think of drains, traps, switches, filters etc - keep them easy to get at, and you will not regret it !

gavinp

I have one of these from Maplin which does the same thing:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=37766

You need a power supply to go with it which pushes the price up a bit if you don't already have a suitable one but still cheaper than anywhere else I could find.

Bear in mind that your heating system reuses the same water circulating through the radiators and boiler heat exchanger and this is kept separate from the hot water coming out of your taps.

Do you have a water tank in the loft and a hot water cylinder? If you do, in theory you would need three to cover the whole house:

1. One fitted to the rising main to treat the kitchen tap and kitchen appliances.

2. One fitted to the heating circuit to treat the water circulating in the radiators and boiler.

3. One fitted to the the cold water inlet into the hot water cylinder.

I have never heard of anyone with three.. :think:

There is a lot of speculation about whether electronic devices do actually work but I figured for Maplin's price, it was worth a go - I fitted ours to the cold water pipe entering the hot water cylinder for the hot water system and shower.

Thanks

Gavin