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Over
the past three decades electric showers have become the first
choice of the British consumer. Fitted to the cold water supply
and working in a similar way to an electric kettle, they are relatively
easy to fit, cost effective to run and promote a healthier lifestyle.
However,
just as electric kettles suffer from the adverse effects of limescale
so do electric showers.
Limescale
produced in hard water areas (approximately 60% of the UK is supplied
with hard water) has three potentially damaging effects on electric
shower performance:
- Scale
build-up on heating elements can considerably reduce the heating
efficiency (see bar chart opposite).
- Corrosion
can occur beneath the scale reducing life expectancy.
- Scale
particles clog the shower head which can lead to malfunction
(a less serious problem - see important notes below).
Softline
Showers have two important features that will act to reduce the
effects of limescale on the showers performance.
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The
heating elements have been treated with a special coating
to help prevent scale particles sticking. |
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The
shower has a built-in Scalemaster Electrolytic Inhibitor*
which acts to alter the size and nature of scale crystals,
rendering them less likely to stick. |
These two important features allow Scalemaster to include malfunction
due to limescale as part of their guarantee. It should be noted
that many electric shower manufacturers will not guarantee their
product against the effects of limescale.
Important
Notes
Hard water varies considerably both in degrees of hardness and
from area to area. The built-in scale protection features included
in Softline Showers are designed to offer protection by altering
the nature and behaviour of scale. It is important to note however
there will always be a degree of scale present in the shower but
at a reduced level and of a less damaging nature.
As
the nature of scale crystals will alter in size, this may cause
blockage to spray heads. Spray heads will need to be cleaned on
a regular basis.
*Patent
No. GB2281559
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