Combi boilers have become an integral part of modern households, providing efficient heating and hot water on demand. However, the question of how long a combi boiler should last is a common concern for homeowners looking to make a wise and lasting investment.

 

The Typical Lifespan of a Combi Boiler

The lifespan of a combi boiler can vary depending on factors such as usage, maintenance, and the quality of the boiler itself. On average, a well-maintained combi boiler can last between 10 to 15 years. Regular servicing and prompt repairs can significantly contribute to extending its operational life.

 

The Impact of Hard Water on Combi Boilers

One of the crucial factors influencing the longevity of a combi boiler is the quality of water it handles. Hard water, which is water rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium, can have a detrimental effect on boilers over time.

 

Hard water tends to leave mineral deposits, commonly known as limescale, within the boiler’s components. This accumulation can reduce the efficiency of the heating system, leading to increased energy consumption and potential breakdowns. Moreover, limescale build up can hinder water flow, causing blockages and putting additional strain on the boiler.

 

Reducing the Effects of Hard Water on Combi Boilers

While hard water is a common challenge, there are proactive measures you can take to minimise its impact on your combi boiler:

1. Install a Water Softener: Water softeners are designed to reduce the mineral content in hard water, preventing the formation of limescale. By installing a water softener in your home, you can protect not only your combi boiler but also other appliances and plumbing fixtures. If you’re looking for an effortless solution, this might not be the best option as salt softeners do require some upkeep.
2. Use Descaling Agents: Regularly using descaling agents in your boiler can help break down existing limescale deposits. This preventive measure is particularly effective when incorporated into your routine boiler maintenance. The downside of descaling agents is that you may require a professional to assist you in this task and in reality, it’s a job that’s likely to get forgotten about.
3. Magnaclean Filters: Consider installing Magnaclean filters in your heating system. These magnetic filters attract and capture metallic and non-metallic debris, preventing them from circulating and causing damage within the boiler. You can install these retrospectively so don’t worry if you haven’t got one already.
4. Annual Servicing: Regular professional servicing by a qualified tradesperson is crucial for detecting and addressing any issues, including those related to hard water. A Gas Safe Registered plumber can clean and inspect the internal components, ensuring optimal performance.
5. Install a Halcyan Water Conditioner: If you’re looking for a low maintenance solution to prolong the life of your combi boiler, an effortless solution is the Halcyan Water Conditioner. Not only does the Halcyan stop new limescale forming inside your boiler, it will also reduce the existing limescale over time, increasing its efficiency and saving you money. The ultimate benefit of the Halcyan is that once it’s installed, you can forget about it!

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the lifespan of your combi boiler is influenced by various factors, and the impact of hard water cannot be ignored. By understanding the potential challenges posed by hard water and taking proactive measures to reduce its effects, you can potentially extend the life of your combi boiler by a significant amount. Regular maintenance, coupled with the installation of a Halcyan Water Conditioner, ensures that your combi boiler operates efficiently, providing comfort and reliability for years to come.

If you’d like to find out more about the Halcyan Water Conditioner, you can explore our Knowledge Centre and find out how it works here. You can call our expert team on 0345 504 0656 for more information on how you, your home and your garden can benefit from installing a Halcyan.

 

Why Choose Halcyan?

Halcyan Water Conditioners is a British company based in Bristol and our alloy-based solution to hard water is unique to the UK. Our Water Conditioner is an eco-friendly, people-friendly solution to hard water and keeping your appliances safe from limescale. With our 30 Year Warranty and our 12 Month Money Back Performance Guarantee, your combi boiler will thank you for installing a Halcyan!

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In the quiet corners of our homes, a hidden culprit is silently stealing energy, and most of us are completely unaware. According to a startling statistic from British Water, every 1mm of limescale on a heating element adds 7-10% to its energy consumption. Now, compound that with the revelation that over 60% of UK homes are located in hard water areas, and you have a recipe for escalating energy bills and environmental impact.

 

The Unseen Enemy: Limescale’s Grip on Energy

Limescale, the chalky deposit left behind by hard water, may seem harmless at first glance. However, its insidious nature becomes apparent when we consider its impact on the efficiency of our household appliances, particularly heating elements. British Water’s revelation about the exponential increase in energy consumption with each millimetre of limescale is a wake-up call for homeowners nationwide.

 

Understanding the Scale of the Issue

Over 60% of UK homes are situated in hard water areas, meaning that a significant portion of the population is unknowingly grappling with increased energy costs. Hard water, rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium, leaves limescale deposits on pipes, taps, and crucially, on heating elements. As these deposits accumulate, the efficiency of the appliances decreases, leading to higher energy consumption and subsequently, larger energy bills.

The Economic Impact: Counting the Cost

For the average homeowner, this silent energy thief translates into substantial financial losses. The compounding effect of limescale on energy consumption means that households in hard water areas are paying more than necessary for heating, water heating, and other appliances. In a world where energy efficiency is paramount, addressing the limescale issue becomes not just an environmental responsibility but an economic imperative.

 

Environmental Consequences: Beyond the Household

The environmental repercussions of widespread limescale issues are also worth noting. Increased energy consumption means higher carbon emissions, contributing to climate change. As a society, we must recognise the interconnectedness of individual choices and their collective impact on the planet. Tackling the limescale problem is not just about saving money; it’s about making a meaningful contribution to a more sustainable future.

 

What’s the Solution?

• The Halcyan Water Conditioner: Our ‘fit and forget’ solution to hard water is perfect for protecting your home from the hidden damage caused by limescale and saving you money. Not only does the Halcyan alter the behaviour of hard water so it doesn’t deposit limescale, it actually reduces the existing limescale in your plumbing over time. So if you’re concerned that your home is beyond saving, don’t give up hope!
• Water Softeners: Investing in water softeners can be a proactive step that can significantly reduce limescale build up in your home, preserving the efficiency of your appliances and cutting down on energy consumption. There are some drawbacks to water softeners to be aware of before coming to a decision.
• Regular Maintenance: Implementing a routine maintenance schedule for household appliances, especially those prone to limescale build up, can go a long way in preventing energy inefficiencies. However, in many areas of the UK, the constant build up of limescale is an impossible enemy to keep on top of.
• Awareness and Education: Increasing awareness about the impact of hard water and limescale on energy consumption is crucial. Educating homeowners about the available solutions empowers them to make informed choices.

 

Conclusion

As so much of this issue is hidden from sight, it’s easy to overlook the accumulation of limescale. However, the statistics from British Water should serve as a call to action for homeowners across the UK because rising energy bills are definitely not something to be ignored. Addressing the limescale problem isn’t just about saving money; it’s about taking a stand for energy efficiency, environmental responsibility, and a more sustainable future for all.

 

If you’d like to find out more about the Halcyan Water Conditioner, you can explore our Knowledge Centre and find out how it works here. You can call our expert team on 0345 504 0656 for more information on how you, your home and your garden can benefit from installing a Halcyan.

 

Why Choose Halcyan?

Halcyan Water Conditioners is a British company based in Bristol and our alloy-based solution to hard water is unique to the UK. Our Water Conditioner is an eco-friendly, people-friendly solution to hard water and keeping your energy bills from sky-rocketing due to limescale! With our 30 Year Warranty and our 12 Month Money Back Performance Guarantee, the Halcyan is the perfect ‘fit and forget’ solution!

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Limescale can have a significant impact on energy bills. In this blog post, we’ll explore the costs associated with limescale build-up and what you can do to reduce your energy bills.

 

What is Limescale?

Limescale is a mineral deposit that forms when hard water (water with high levels of calcium and magnesium) evaporates. It’s most commonly found in areas with hard water, such as the UK, where it can build up in pipes and appliances over time. Limescale deposits are often white or yellowish in colour, and they can be difficult to remove once they’ve built up.

 

 

How Does Limescale Affect Energy Bills?

The build-up of limescale in pipes and appliances can have a significant impact on energy bills. When limescale builds up on heating elements it reduces the efficiency of the appliance, meaning that more energy is required to achieve the same result when heating water. This means that you’ll be paying more for your energy bills than you would if there was no limescale present.

 

How much money does limescale add to bills?

It’s a well documented fact that 60% households in the UK are supplied with hard water which causes limescale in the home. Incredibly this can add £500 or more to your annual energy bills as limescale covered heating elements (for example in your kettle, boiler and electric shower) use significantly more energy to heat the water used in your home. In fact just 3mm of limescale can increase energy consumption by 25%! This means energy bills are much higher than necessary, and so is the carbon footprint of the home. 

 

 

What Can You Do To Reduce Your Energy Bills?

There are several steps you can take to reduce your energy bills if you have limescale build-up in the home:

 

1. Install a water softener – A water softener will help reduce the amount of calcium and magnesium in your water supply, which will help reduce the amount of limescale build-up over time. Make sure you do your research into water softeners as they aren’t the most environmentally-friendly way to reduce limescale.
   
2. Install a water conditioner – A Halcyan Water Conditioner is a great solution if you’re looking for a people-friendly, eco-friendly way to reduce the impact limescale has on your energy bills. Halcyan not only prevents hard water from leaving mineral deposits in your appliances and plumbing, but it actually removes existing limescale too! As the Halcyan doesn’t require anything other than a small amount of space in your pipework, it’s a really simple and convenient way to protect your home – and your bank balance! 
3. Use descaling products – There are various descaling products available on the market which can help remove existing limescale deposits from pipes and appliances. These products should be used regularly to keep limescale at bay. 
4. Regularly maintain your appliances – Regular maintenance of your appliances will help ensure that they remain efficient and don’t suffer from any unnecessary wear-and-tear due to limescale build-up. This could include cleaning filters regularly or replacing parts when necessary.

Conclusion

Limescale build-up can have a significant impact on energy bills, especially over a long period of time, but there are steps you can take to reduce its effects on your wallet. Installing a water conditioner, using descaling products regularly and maintaining your appliances regularly are all effective ways of reducing the amount of money spent on energy bills due to limescale.

If you’d like to find out more about the Halcyan Water Conditioner, you can explore our Knowledge Centre and find out how it works here. You can call our expert team on 0345 504 0656 for more information on how you can heat your water for less, by installing a Halcyan. 

 

Why choose Halcyan?

Halcyan Water Conditioners is a British company based in Bristol and our alloy-based solution to hard water is unique to the UK. As leaders in our industry, our mission is to help our customers save money, save energy and save the planet with our eco-friendly, people-friendly water conditioners. We take huge pride in our customer satisfaction and our testimonials speak for themselves. With our 30 Year Warranty and our 12 Month Money Back Performance Guarantee, you can be sure that the Halcyan will be working hard to keep you scale-free and save money on your bills for many years to come!

 

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Are you tired of receiving high energy bills every month? Do you want to reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier planet? Retrofitting your home can help you achieve both of these goals. Retrofitting is the process of upgrading existing homes with energy-efficient features to save energy and reduce waste. In this blog post, we will guide you on how to retrofit your home to save energy.

 

How Energy Efficient is Your Home?

Before retrofitting your home, it is crucial to conduct a home energy audit to identify areas where you can make improvements. An energy audit will help you understand your home’s energy consumption and how to make it more energy-efficient. You can hire a professional energy auditor or conduct a DIY audit using a home energy audit kit.

Install Insulation

 

 

One of the most important steps you can take to improve the energy efficiency of your home is to install insulation. Properly installed insulation helps keep warm air in during the winter and cool air in during the summer, reducing the amount of energy needed to heat and cool your home. It also helps reduce noise levels and makes it easier to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the year. When installing insulation, be sure to use materials that are rated for the climate where you live.

Average cost: £1400-£10,000

Replace Old Windows

 

 

Old windows can be a major source of heat loss in a home, so replacing them with new, energy-efficient windows can help reduce energy costs significantly. Look for windows that are rated for high efficiency, such as those with double or triple glazing to ensure heat is reflected back into the room instead of escaping outside.

Average cost: Depending on the size of your home, you can pay anything up to £16,800 for uPVC windows and thousands more for timber and composite frames.

Install a Water Conditioner

It isn’t widely known that the hardness of your water may actually be costing you a great deal more than you realise. When hard water is allowed to course its way through your home, it leaves behind limescale buildup in your appliances and plumbing. Over time, this significantly reduces the efficiency of boilers, kettles, washing machines and any other appliance that uses water. Not only does it use a lot more energy, limescale is also the cause of appliance breakdowns and in some cases, this damage is irreparable.

The Halcyan Water Conditioner is a simple solution which will not only reduce your energy bills, but will protect your existing appliances and remove limescale from your home. The single cost of installing a Halcyan can give you around £500 savings on your annual energy bills!

Average cost £770 + fitting

Install a Smart Thermostat

 

 

Smart thermostats allow you to control your heating and cooling system remotely from anywhere using an app on your smartphone or tablet device. They also learn from your usage patterns over time so they can automatically adjust temperatures when you’re away or asleep—helping you save even more money on utilities without sacrificing comfort levels in your home. Smart thermostats are easy to install and can be controlled from anywhere with an internet connection, making them a great way to save energy without having to make any major changes around the house.

Average cost: £120-220

Conclusion

Retrofitting your home requires an initial investment, but the long-term benefits are significant. From reducing your bills to improving your home’s carbon footprint, it’s a great idea to see where you can make improvements. By taking these steps, you can enjoy modern, planet-friendly features that will help reduce overall energy consumption while keeping it comfortable all year round—saving you money on utilities in the process!

If you’d like to find out more about the Halcyan Water Conditioner, you can explore our Knowledge Centre and find out how it works here. You can call our expert team on 0345 504 0656 for more information on whether you have hard water and how you can benefit from installing a Halcyan. 

Why choose Halcyan?

Halcyan Water Conditioners is a British company based in Bristol and our alloy-based solution to hard water is unique to the UK. While there are many ways to retrofit your home to save on energy and bills, our alloy-based Water Conditioner is an eco-friendly, people-friendly solution to hard water too! If you’ve had enough of rising energy bills, get in touch with us to see how our Halcyan Water Conditioner can help. With our 30 Year Warranty and our 12 Month Money Back Performance Guarantee, you can be sure that you’ll enjoy the benefits of your investment for many years to come!

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It is no secret that limescale can have a negative impact on the performance of your kettle. But did you know that limescale can also increase your electricity bills? In this blog post, we will explore the effects of limescale on your kettle’s electricity usage and how to reduce it.

 

What is Limescale?

Limescale is a hard, chalky deposit that builds up inside kettles over time due to the presence of calcium and magnesium in hard water. This build-up of limescale can reduce the efficiency of your kettle and cause it to use more electricity than usual.

 

How Does Limescale Affect Electricity Usage?

When limescale builds up inside a kettle, it acts as an insulator, trapping heat and preventing it from transferring to the water. This means that more energy is required to heat the water, resulting in higher electricity bills. So, every cup of tea you make costs that little bit more which, over time, can make a big difference to your bills.

 

How Can You Reduce Limescale Build-Up?

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to reduce limescale build-up in your kettle and keep your electricity bills as low as possible:

Use bottled water: Using filtered or bottled water instead of tap water will help reduce limescale build-up as these types of water contain fewer minerals than tap water.

 

Boil only what you need: Boiling more water than necessary wastes energy and increases electricity bills unnecessarily – so only boil as much as you need!

 

Clean regularly: Regularly cleaning your kettle with vinegar or citric acid will help remove any existing limescale deposits and prevent new ones from forming.

 

Use de-scaler: If you find that regular cleaning isn’t enough to remove all the limescale from your kettle, then you may want to consider using a de-scaler product specifically designed for kettles. These products are usually effective at removing stubborn deposits of limescale.

 

Banish limescale for good: Installing a water softener or water conditioner reduces limescale build-up in the home so your limescale issues become a thing of the past. Not sure which type of solution is right for you? Read our guide and discover the key differences between water conditioners and water softeners here.

 

Conclusion

Limescale build-up in kettles can have a significant impact on electricity usage – but there are steps you can take to reduce it and keep your bills as low as possible. Using the tips we have covered, you should be able to keep your electricity costs down without sacrificing convenience!

 

Want to know more about the Halcyan Water Conditioner? Find out how it works here or call our expert team on 0345 504 0656.

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Limescale is a common problem in many households and affects around 60% of the UK. It can cause a variety of problems, from damaged fixtures and fittings to the premature breakdown of expensive appliances. But why does limescale reduce efficiency? In this blog post, we’ll explore the causes and effects of limescale on appliance efficiency.

What is Limescale?

Limescale is a hard, chalky deposit that forms when calcium and magnesium precipitate out of hard water and bond to surfaces. It often appears as a white or grayish-white coating on surfaces such as taps, showerheads, pipes and on the heating element of your kettle. Over time, limescale can build up and become difficult to clean, and the longer it’s left the harder it is to remove.

 

How Does Limescale Reduce Efficiency?

Limescale reduces efficiency in two main ways: by blocking water flow and by reducing heat transfer. 

When limescale builds up inside pipes or appliances it restricts the flow of water. If you’ve ever had a shower head clogged with limescale, you’ll know how frustrating this can be and how often you have to clean it to maintain the optimum flow of water.

 

 

Limescale also reduces the flow of heat which means it takes a lot more energy to heat the water surrounding a heating element which is covered in limescale. This reduces the energy efficiency of water-heating appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, and boilers, and energy bills are significantly higher as a result.

Limescale also reduces the lifespan of water-bearing appliances by causing corrosion and additional wear on internal components, so you can expect to replace your expensive household items up to twice as often.

 

How Can You Prevent Limescale Build-Up?

The best way to prevent limescale build-up is to treat hard water as it enters your home. There are various hard water treatment products on the market, from salt softeners to water conditioners.  They help keep your appliances running more efficiently and for longer without needing expensive repairs or replacements due to limescale damage.

 

While salt softeners are a traditional solution to the problem of limescale, they require ongoing maintenance and regular topping up of salt. If you’re looking for a passive, sustainable and eco-friendly means of treating your hard water, a water conditioner such as the Halcyan is a good choice. You can read more about your options in our no-nonsense guide to water conditioners and water softeners here.

 

Conclusion

Limescale can be a major problem for households which are supplied with hard water. Not only does it cause unsightly deposits on surfaces, but it can also reduce the efficiency of appliances over time due to blocked water flow and reduced heat transfer capabilities, leading to higher energy bills and  premature appliance failure. The most sustainable way to prevent this issue is to install a water conditioner in your home.

Why not take a look at our testimonials and discover why Halcyan is THE solution for sustainable hard water treatment in the home.

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Once again world leaders and organisations will be gathering to take stock and look ahead at how to deal with the climate emergency. This year the event will be held in Egypt. If you aren’t familiar with COP allow us to give a quick run-down on why it is important. The Event will be running from the 6th to the 18th of November.

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COP26 is now underway and the wealth and weight of topics being covered can be very overwhelming. One area of particular interest to us here at Halcyan is of course water. One of the most pressing and important areas of focus at COP26 and in the wider effort to tackle runaway climate change. In this article we’ll take a quick and straightforward look at what has and will be going on at the COP26 water pavilion and where Halcyan fits into the colossal water picture.

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COP26 is starting this weekend, unless you’ve been living under a rock you will have definitely heard about it, at least in passing. But you might not be familiar with what it is and why it is so important. In this article we’ll take you through the basics COP, why you should be following it and what it may mean for us going forward.

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Cutting down on energy costs may seem like a pipedream. Luckily there are free and easy ways to save energy this winter.

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