Hard water combi or saltless conditioning???

srcandas

Getting frustrated with getting a system boiler replaced with a combi.

Anyone can suggest:

Best combi if there is no conditioning or softening?

Worth putting in the latest saltless conditioner?

:beer:

tlh858

Best combi for hard water - none, since they will all scale up.

'Saltless conditioner' - what is that?
There are 2 ways to soften water. Either with a water softener which uses large amount of salt to regenerate, or phosphate dosing devices such as the Cistermiser Combimate which release a controlled amount of chemicals into the water. They need refilling as well.

Why change to a combi boiler anyway?

srcandas

tlh858 wrote: »

'Saltless conditioner' - what is that?

I thought it was a pretty good and accurate term based on the fact the ads you see all use different invented largely meaningless phrases But please offer a better one

tlh858 wrote: »

Why change to a combi boiler anyway?

Very limited space in small house :cool:

innovate

I was recommended an Aquatiere saltless softener by my local plumbing merchants.

Apparently the cost of ownership (initial install and maintenance) over 5 years is no higher than the traditional salt-based softeners, but you can drink the softened water because the taste is just the same as non-softened water.

I have just about no clue about anything to do with water softeners, and generally treat anything 'plumbers' with a huge amount of scepticism. I have had a Kinetico salt-based softener for about 10 years, but it doesn't seem to be terribly efficient. I am in the market for a replacement now since I am getting new bathrooms and kitchen and I just don't want any more limescale on my new taps / sinks / pans etc. Also hate those white bits in my teas and coffees (I am using unsoftened water for drinking and cooking).

What do I look for? Is this Aquatiere-thing any good? Anything that's better, and why?

gas4you

All 'saltless' conditioners are rubbish.

They may work in your house, but not in the neighbours. They are really hit and miss.

Saying that, I always fit one to combi's in case they will help a little.

The only guaranteed way is to fit a proper water softener.

In 12 years of working for myself, I have only seen 2 heat exchangers that have actually scaled up and the water around here is very hard.