Salt free water conditioners/de-scalers

[winos5]

Anybody using one of these at home. I'm sure you've at least heard commercials for them like ClearWater or EasyWater. There are numerous brands. Trying to decide if they are useful or just a scam. Basically your water supply runs through an electromagnetic field that alters the ionic characteristics of calcium and magnesium minerals in the water. They don't soften the water as the minerals aren't really removed. I've been researching this for a while, and not sure they aren't a scam. Would like feed back from anybody who has used one at home.



There are a wide vareity of models, some using magnets others loops of wire wrapped around your pipe. Costs vary from 100-1000s of dollars.



Alot of them claim to be softeners which makes me think they are a scam.



Anyway I have fairly hard water at home, and the softener runs constantly discharging large amounts of brine water a day into a leech field and this just turns into a swamp so I turned it off. Thats why I'm interested. Water doesn't have to feel soft, just want to get rid of the lime scale.

 

[Tater]

I looked into those but it was a few years ago. Most of what I found pointed to them not working well at all and expensive. Maybe in the last few years they have improved them but I don't hear much of anything about them anymore.

Totally forgot until you mentioned them here.

 

[jakobeast]

I used to work for Culligan. I still don't know that much about softeners. Or these things for that mater.



You must have an older model softener. The new fangled ones, at least from what I remember, are automatic, only softening when it is needed. Thus wasting less salt, water, and money.



I hope you find out some info as well, as I wouldn't mind checking those out. I am waiting for my hot water heater to bite it, as then I can get an on demand heater.

 

[winos5]

I live in the country, have a water well. The water is free, just lots of mineral content.



Interesting you mention the tankless water heaters, they often have problems with lime scale build up that effects the operation. De-scalers are often used on the cold water in line to them to decrease the build up. I've read lots of reviews on Amazon for different models. Lots of flowery write ups about how wonderful magically great they are that makes me highly suspicious when I review the few negative reviews that trash them up and down.



After going to several sites about water treatment and reading a few independent scientific evaluations, I've decided I'm leaning toward scam at this point.

 

[jakobeast]

If you have any plumber friends, ask them. I am sure they would know more then my stupid ass.