Does the HarveyArc water softener require mains power?

tallac

My parents are thinking about getting this.

The HarveyArc is listed as having a non-electric design: https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/products/water-softeners/

Yet, it connects to the internet so you can use an app to monitor things like salt levels. How does it do this if it's unit is not electric? I hope the app isn't just doing some guesstimation based on elapsed time 

grumbler

I don't know the answer, but I'd think twice before buying some water softener that shamelessly claims to reduce "your energy bills by up to 30%"

WiFi can work on batteries - PITA if this is really the case.

GrubbyGirl_2

Also need to be careful about using a water softener with a boiler that has anything but a stainless steel heat exchanger.  I had my whole house renovated and wanted a water softener but decided against it when the plumber said I'd need a new boiler too!  I decided against it but had all the prep work done so when the day comes to replace the boiler I'll go the whole hog

bazzie

Harvey & similar block salt type water softeners are horrendously expensive, the block salt costs a  bunch more & you can get far better for much, much cheaper. 

I would not spend more than £500 on a water softener - myself got a Monarch MIDI HE - about £450 so have a look at something like that but buying again, I would look at something from Tapworks - they make excellent WS for the money.

Imho, a Harvey type of machine is a huge waste of money - much of the initial £1200-£2K price is heavy profit/commissions.

tallac

I agree about Harvey being more expensive but many of the cheaper ones are single tank only which leads to extra running cost in terms of water and salt usage. I haven't sent any non-Harvey ones that have twin tanks.

propertyrental

What's the advantage of twin tanks?

bazzie

tallac said:

I agree about Harvey being more expensive but many of the cheaper ones are single tank only which leads to extra running cost in terms of water and salt usage. I haven't sent any non-Harvey ones that have twin tanks.

Hi,

Imho, any extra running costs regarding water & salt usage is minimal compared to how much extra a Harvey Type unit & Block Salt costs - extra water usage costs will be absolutely minimal if even noticeable at all & eg:

A Normal WS = £300-£500
Tablet Salt = Approx £10 per 25kg bag

Harvey Type WS = £1500-£2000
Block Salt = Approx £15 per 8kg 

Do the maths & it will take a very long time indeed before you could ever recoup the costs of the Harvey Option.

macman

propertyrental said:

What's the advantage of twin tanks?

With twin tanks, the flow is switched so that one continues to work while the other one is regenerating.

propertyrental

macman said:

propertyrental said:

What's the advantage of twin tanks?

With twin tanks, the flow is switched so that one continues to work while the other one is regenerating.

Thanks. How long does 'regeneration' take and how often does it happen? 

What happens with a single tank? For a period of time unsoftened water passes through?