Magnetic Water Conditioners

Magnetic water conditioners are used in the treatment of hard water problems. Other methods of treating hard water include: water filters, water softeners, and reverse osmosis. Magnetic water conditioners can be either electromagnetic or plain magnetic.

What is Hard Water?

Hard water contains a high amount of dissolved minerals, principally calcium and magnesium. The water picks up traces of minerals as it passed through soil and rock. The degree of hardness of the water is judged by the mineral content of the water. These minerals do not pose a health hazard, and the minerals can actually provide a good dietary supplement. Problems are caused by mineral buildups on plumbing fixtures and poor performance by soaps and detergents.

Common Hard Water Problems

Clothes washed in hard water can look dingy and feel scratchy. The hard minerals can combine with soil to form insoluble salts that are difficult to remove from clothing. Continued washing in hard water can reduce the life of clothing by up to 40 percent.

Bathing in hard water can leave a film of sticky soap curd on skin. That film can prevent the removal of dirt and bacteria. It can also cause dull looking hair.

Heated hard water can form a scale of calcium and magnesium minerals that is called lime scale. That lime scale can cause the inefficient operation or failure of water-using appliances. It can also lead to clogged water pipes.

Solar heating systems are prone to lime scale buildup. The buildup causes inefficient operation of the system.

Advantages of Magnetic Water Conditioners

These water conditioners are permanently installed in the plumbing system to alter calcium ions so they cannot create lime scale. The output from this treatment process is drinkable water, which is typically not true for treatment methods using chemical water softeners. Magnetic water conditioners have a low operating cost, and can help lower heating costs. As is true with most of the treatment methods, magnetic water conditioners promote longer life for clothing.

Rather than removing calcium, magnetic water conditioners alter its state in water. This can result in the water providing a good source of calcium in the diet.

Electromagnetic and Magnetic Conditioners

Both electromagnetic and magnetic conditioners work on magnetism. The basic difference is that the electromagnetic ones require an electric power source, unlike the magnetic conditioners. That results in a higher cost of use. However, the magnetic conditioners have a finite life span, and the installation cost can be higher than for the electromagnetic conditioners.

Consumers Beware

It should be noted that some sources question the effectiveness of magnetic water conditioners in treating hard water. Contradictory opinions can be researched online.