Hard water is a common problem in many households and it can have a big impact on your home if left unchecked. In particular, hard water causes damage to household appliances such as boilers, kettles and electric showers and can even add significantly to your energy usage. It can also affect how you wash your clothes because of the impact of hard water on washing machines. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the effects of hard water on washing machines and how to prevent damage from occurring.

What Is Hard Water?

Hard water is water that has a high mineral content, usually caused by calcium and magnesium deposits. These minerals can build up in pipes, fixtures, and appliances over time, leading to problems like clogged drains and reduced water pressure. Hard water can also cause damage to washing machines due to the build-up of limescale within the water-bearing mechanisms. Depending on where you are in the UK, water hardness can vary significantly.

How Does Hard Water Damage Washing Machines?

Hard water can damage washing machines in several ways. The minerals in hard water can build up inside the machine over time in the form of limescale, causing corrosion and reducing the efficiency of the machine. The minerals can also cause soap scum to form on the interior of the machine, which can lead to clogs and other issues. When soap mixes with hard water, it can create a sticky residue that can clog the machine’s pipes and cause water to back up into the machine’s drum. This can lead to mould growth, and foul odours. In addition, hard water can leave behind residue on clothing after a wash cycle is complete. In a study commissioned by the Water Quality Association in 2009, the lifespan of a washing machine is significantly reduced by hard water. By using softer behaving water, you could see the lifespan of your washing machine increase by 40%.

Preventing Damage From Hard Water

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to prevent damage from hard water in your washing machine:

• Use a water conditioner: A water conditioner will alter the way that water behaves in your plumbing and appliances. Unlike water softeners, the Halcyan Water Conditioner makes hard water behave like soft water so that you get all the benefits of softer water, without the negative impact of using water softeners.
• Clean regularly: Regularly cleaning your washing machine will help remove any residue or build-up that has already accumulated inside the machine.
• Use less detergent: Using too much detergent when you wash clothes with hard water can lead to soap scum build-up inside your machine. To prevent this from happening, use less detergent than you normally would when using hard water for laundry.
• Use distilled or filtered water: If possible, use distilled or filtered water instead of tap water for laundry when dealing with hard water problems. This will help reduce mineral build-up inside your washing machine and keep it running smoothly for longer periods of time. 

Conclusion

Hard water can be damaging to washing machines if not properly addressed. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to prevent damage from occurring such as using a water conditioner or filtered/distilled water for laundry and cleaning your washer regularly. By taking these precautions, you’ll be able to keep your washer running smoothly 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 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. Unlike water softeners, our alloy-based Water Conditioner is an eco-friendly, people-friendly solution to hard water and its impact on your washing machine. With our 30 Year Warranty and our 12 Month Money Back Performance Guarantee, you can enjoy laundered clothes that are always clean and fresh – as well as peace of mind that our little device is taking care of your washing machine too!

Does hard water affect boilers? Hard water is a common problem in many parts of the UK, affecting up to 60% of households, and it can have a significant impact on the performance of boilers. In this blog post, we’ll explore the effects of hard water on boilers and what you can do to protect your boiler from damage.

What is Hard Water?

Hard water is water that contains high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals are naturally occurring in groundwater and can be found in most areas of the world. Hard water can cause a variety of problems, including scaling, clogging, and corrosion. It can also reduce the efficiency of boilers by reducing heat transfer and increasing energy consumption.

How Does Hard Water Affect Boilers?

Hard water can cause a number of problems for boilers, including:

• Scaling: Scaling occurs when minerals such as calcium and magnesium build up on the surfaces inside the boiler. This build-up reduces heat transfer efficiency, leading to increased energy consumption and decreased performance. 
• Clogging: Limescale caused by hard water can also clog pipes and other components within the boiler system, reducing flow rate and leading to decreased performance. 
• Corrosion: The minerals in hard water can also cause corrosion of metal components within the boiler system, leading to leaks or other damage.

Protection Strategies for Boilers

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your boiler from damage caused by hard water. Here are some strategies you should consider:

A Water Conditioner: Installing a water conditioner is one way to change the way the minerals behave in your boiler’s feed water supply. This will help reduce scaling, clogging, and corrosion within your boiler system.

Regular Maintenance: Regularly inspecting your boiler system for signs of wear or damage is important for keeping it running efficiently. Make sure to check for signs of scaling or corrosion on any metal components within your system regularly.

Chemical Treatments: Chemical treatments such as de-scalers or anti-corrosion agents can help reduce mineral build-up within your boiler system over time. Be sure to use products specifically designed for use with boilers so that they don’t cause any additional damage to your equipment.

How will the Halcyan Water Conditioner help your boiler?

The Halcyan Water Conditioner has been tried and tested by forward-thinking households for more than 30 years! Over time the Halcyan will actually remove limescale from within your boiler and heating system, and elsewhere in the home. Once installed, it will keep limescale at bay and any water entering your house will ‘behave’ like soft water does within the pipes. This means that over time, you should see your appliances (including your boiler) needing fewer repairs and less maintenance, and even a delay to the replacement of your appliances, as well as lower energy bills.

Conclusion

Hard water can have a significant impact on boilers if left unchecked. Our recommendation is that a simple, cost effective solution is to install a Halcyan Water Conditioner to prolong your boiler’s health. We all know the pain and high cost of replacing a boiler due to unchecked limescale, especially when your boiler fails unexpectedly – and the solution is so simple, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it years ago!

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

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 give our customers limescale-free, healthy and more enjoyable water experiences. We will always provide crystal clear, unbiased information for anyone considering a water conditioner – even if that means they don’t choose a Halcyan! With our pride in customer satisfaction and our 12 Month Money Back Performance Guarantee, you can put your trust into Halcyan Water Conditioners.

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.