How does hard water affect my central heating system - and my boiler?

Few plumbing conditions will have greater negative impact on your boiler and central heating system than what we call hard water, and most of England (particularly London and the South-East) has very hard water rather than soft water, though there are no discernable health risks to those of us who use it as drinking water. The progress of hard water through our boilers and heating systems can create a damaging path though over time.

How is Limescale Created?

When water is heated - especially in a hard water area, naturally occurring calcium carbonate and magnesium join in clumps to become limescale deposits. This limescale clings tenaciously to the inner surfaces of heating elements and household appliances, boilers, pumps, radiators, pipes, taps and fittings. Worse yet, this tough limescale mineral content acts as an insulator, requiring yet more energy to heat water in a boiler or appliance. A buildup of limescale will only increase as more heat is required to produce hot water, because this buildup impedes the delivery of heat to the water and often causes metal boiler parts to overheat and fail. The result is often blocked pipes and no hot water at all - or, in a pressurized system, boiler failure and ruptured pipes. Either way, calamities caused by hard water can cost you a fortune in household energy use and eventual boiler, plumbing, appliance and radiator replacement.

Softened water via our systems

Mr Central Heating has in stock some of the best water softening systems you’ll find anywhere. The Hydrocare Water Softener, complete with high pressure hoses, uses specially adapted food-grade resins to retain mineral salts that protect against limescale and remove excessive hardness in your water supply. The result is that your water system and appliances will maintain (or regain) optimal condition and energy efficiency - which in turn can help you save money. Hydrocare’s operating flow rate for potable water use is 600 litres per hour and it has a brine tank capacity of 86 litres. Maintenance free and designed to last ten years, the ADEY MagnaScale protects individual appliances from limescale buildup and helps with domestic hot water flow. Designed for properties with water hardness above 200 ppm, it can be easily installed on horizontal or vertical pipework and begins softening water immediately. The Fernox Quantomat Mini Water Softener is designed to protect against limescale buildup in shower heads, showers, combi boilers, dishwashers, water heaters, washing machines, immersion heaters and cylinders. It can be mounted horizontally or vertically, uses food-grade water treatment product and proportional dosing to accommodate all flow rates. The ADEY MAG2 boiler protection pack includes three powerful products to protect the performance of your boiler: The ADEY MagnaClean Micro chemical pack which includes MC1 Protector & MC3 Cleaner, the Fernox Quantomat scale reducer that treats water with the precise amount of Quantophos H necessary to prevent the build-up of limescale, and Salamander COR22 to protect the system without the addition of chemicals. The Adey MICRO 3 boiler protection pack includes the ADEY MagnaClean Micro filter to eliminate blockage-causing magnetite debris, Fernox Quantomat scale reducer and Salamander COR22, the maintenance-free, in-line corrosion inhibitor. We also have in stock water softening salt tablets for use with Hydrocare and other manufacturers’ models, and Fernox Quantophos H Refill Powder for the Fernox Quantomat scale reducer. In all cases, the products can help you get high efficiency from your water usage overall too. View all heating system protection products View combination boilers