Best Scale Inhibitor / Water Softener

Would anyone here be able to advise on a recommended water softener / scale inhibitor?

Currently under my kitchen sink I have a Liff Combi-Flo "Scale and Corrosion Inhibitor". I don't think it had ever been re-filled by the previous owners. So I refilled it last year, but the amount of scale being left on our shower screen and on taps is still pretty bad. It does however, make the water out of the taps taste disgusting.

The kitchen tap, washing machine, dishwasher and outside tap are not connected to it. The heating F&E tank, Megaflo and all other cold taps are connected.

The plumber who fitted my heating said that he'd heard good things about a product called Aquabion. But admitted he's not fitted one, so couldn't comment personally. Their website says good things and links to an article in a publication endorsing the product after a year long test http://www.aquabion-uk.com/.

Can anyone comment if the Aquabion is any good or recommend something better? I'd read that it's not recommended to put softened water through the central heating.

Any advice is much appreciated! Many Thanks...

Scale inhibitors and water softeners are different things. A scale inhibitor will not turn your water soft.

If scale and deposits on the shower screen & taps is the main concern, then the only option is an ion exchange water softener. The ones which use large amounts of salt to regenerate, and will increase your water consumption significantly.

Phosphate dosing devices such as the thing you have already got reduce the formation of scale inside heating appliances such as boilers and kettles - they will do nothing for scale on taps, baths and shower screens.

Other things may or may not work at all, and a large majority are powered with snake oil.

FWIW: water softeners have been having a very bad health and environmental press over the last few years - the conclusion is if at all possible dont use water softeners.

Potassium chloride softeners are claimed to be more healthy (& expensive) than Sodium chloride softeners.

Connecting to the hot water only is probably the best method for health reasons - if anyone in the house has high blood pressure then dont go near softeners.

Service plumbers make a good living dealing with softener issues.

The 'aquabion' inline one (i.e. does not need half of a kitchen cup'd to itself), may be suitable for you.

I know of a Landlord, who, despite the initial cost, and lifespan of say 5-6 years, swears by them and calculates that they are as effective at limescale control and cheaper with zero maintenance (no salt, no electric needed).

I know some sages on here will mutter 'snake oil', unproven claims etc, but do some more research on this subject.

DH

How much are they?

c £500, (is that a pony? or a monkey?)

my local indie merchant keeps them on the shelf.

22mm compression both ends, larger dia than what we fit under combo's.

DH

hhmmm wonder how long they last in high use dwellings?

At least they are actively doing something unlike the magnetic and RF bollocks on the market.


We offer Harveys Dual and Tap Works AD11 for regular stuff and Combimates for INtergas protection.


Would need to see first hand proof of these things.

Harvey's for water softener and cpmbimate for scale reducer