The domestic water supply to the majority of homes is “hard water”. Hard water is simply a definition used to describe water which has a fairly high concentration of minerals dissolved in it. Calcium and magnesium are the two most important minerals. There is, according to the World Health Organisation, absolutely no health risk associated with hard water. However, it can have an effect on the operating efficiency and useful lifetime of a number of different household appliances.
Hard water supply can lead to a build up of mineral deposits, sometimes known as “scale”, in heating systems, water pipes and a variety of small household appliances. Household equipment which uses hot or boiling water, steam irons, kettles, washing machines, coffee makers, dishwashers, etc. – are especially prone to this. This is a result of the fact that heating hard water releases many of the minerals which then reform as scale. Central heating systems and hot water boilers may also be affected.
A number of different variables have an influence upon how much scale is generated. One of the strongest influences is the temperature of the water. The higher the water temperature, the greater the amount of mineral deposits that will be freed and the more scale that will form. Lowering the operating temperature of household heating systems, dishwashers and washing machines will tend to reduce the amount of deposited scale and will ensure that these appliances operate more efficiently and have an extended lifespan. Choosing a detergent that includes anti-scaling agents can also help.
Of course, some appliances such as kettles and irons need to be used at high temperature. Some kettles are available with filters these days, which can prevent some of the minerals getting into the sensitive heating elements. Many irons now come with special anti-scaling traps which collect the scale deposits and allow it to be cleaned by simply flushing it under running water. Other alternatives include cleaning or flushing through using special anti-scale chemicals.
Whilst there is no danger to health as a result of hard water, some people may dislike the taste it results in for either hot drinks or boiled and steamed food. On the other hand, there are those who swear that hard water makes better tasting tea than soft water. It’s a matter of personal taste at the end of the day. If the flavour of your food and drinks isn’t satisfactory, you can always use a water filter. These range from very cheap (but effective) jug filters, to under sink or even whole house filters. These are cheaper than you may think and are really quite simple to install.
It’s worth making the effort to combat the effects of hard water, albeit it may seem like something of an inconvenience. As well as improving the operating efficiency of your domestic appliances, it will save you money in the long run by extending their lifespan,
Have a look at our Tefal steam generator iron buyer’s guide and learn how you can snap up a bargain and cut the amount of time you spend ironing.
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Tags: electrical items, gadgets, general, home, house, product reviews, shopping, technology, time management, Uncategorized