Are Domestic Appliances Affected By A Hard Water Supply?
Hamish Hayward | July 15, 2010The large majority of households will be fed with a domestic water supply which is defined as “hard water”. This is just a definition which is applied to signify water which has a fairly high concentration of minerals in it. Magnesium and calcium are the two most important minerals. According to the World Health Organisation, there are no health problems associated with hard water supplies – but it can affect the effective operation and lifespan of a variety of different domestic appliances.
As a consequence of hard water, mineral deposits can be laid down in water pipes and a range of household appliances. Household appliances which use hot or boiling water are especially at risk as heating the water frees the minerals it contains which then solidify as “scale”. Coffee makers, kettles, steam irons, dishwashers and washing machines are all prone to this effect – as are household central heating systems and boilers.
There are a number of different variables which influence how much scale is generated. The temperature of the water is one of the strongest influencing factors on this process. More scale is produced at higher temperatures. Running dishwashers and washing machines at a lower temperature setting will reduce the amount of scale produced and help to ensure that these appliances continue to operate efficiently and have an extended working life. Using soaps and detergents which have an anti-scaling agent included will also help.
With appliances such as kettles, coffee makers and steam irons, it’s not really practical to operate at lower temperatures. However, some kettles include filters – which can help to prevent various minerals getting into the sensitive heater elements. Many modern irons now come complete with removable anti-scale traps which gather the scale deposits for easy cleaning just by flushing it under running water. It’s also possible to get a variety of anti-scale chemicals and cleaners which can be used to clean your appliances periodically.
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 may seem like an inconvenience, but it’s well worth the effort to counter the effects of a hard water supply. In addition to the improved operational efficiency of your domestic appliances, use of the correct detergents and the selection of a lower operating temperature, combined with scale removal from time to time, will save you money by extending the life of your appliances.
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