Hard water affects homes and businesses across much of the UK, and some areas, including London, Essex, Hertfordshire and Brighton, have very hard water. It can cause all sorts of problems for your heating system, boiler and appliances, from a big drop in efficiency to, in extreme cases, damage and breakdowns.
Why limescale is a problem in London and Essex.
Hard water carries dissolved calcium and magnesium. When it’s heated, those minerals come out of the water and settle as limescale, a hard, chalky layer that clings to anything that heats water.
Limescale builds up fastest at high temperatures, so the parts that suffer most are the ones that get hottest:
- Boilers and their heat exchangers
- Hot water cylinders, pipes and radiators
- Washing machines, dishwashers and kettles
As the scale thickens, everything has to work harder to do the same job. That means higher fuel bills, a shorter lifespan for your boiler and appliances, and unexpected repair or replacement costs.
What does a limescale inhibitor do?
A limescale inhibitor is fitted to your mains water feed, so the water is treated as it comes into your property. It greatly reduces the amount of limescale deposited in your heating system and appliances, which keeps them running efficiently for longer and cuts the risk of breakdowns.
There are several types, such as magnetic, electrolytic and polyphosphate inhibitors, made by many different manufacturers at varying costs. The right one depends on how hard your water is and how your heating and hot water are set up.
So, are they worth the cost?
If you live in a hard water area, an inhibitor is usually a sound investment. It costs far less than repairing or replacing a boiler or heat exchanger damaged by scale, and it helps keep your heating efficient and your fuel bills down.
An inhibitor is designed to stop new limescale forming rather than clear what’s already there. If your system is already scaled up, a power flush will remove the existing deposits first. Read how to get rid of limescale in your central heating for good, or see the inhibitors and other central heating upgrades we fit.
Our friendly team can recommend the right inhibitor for your home or business and install it for you. Contact us online or call 0800 3277 448, and if your system needs a clean too, build a free online estimate in about a minute.
