The 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.
Mineral deposits can build up in water pipes, heating systems and in domestic appliances. Appliances which use hot water – kettles, steam irons, dishwashers and washing machines are especially susceptible to this. This is due to the fact that heating the water liberates many of the minerals which then reform as “scale”. As well as domestic appliances, the central heating system may be affected.
The amounts of minerals that are released depend upon a number of different variables. One of these is temperature – the higher the temperature of the water, the more minerals will be released and the more scale will form. Running central heating systems, washing machines and dishwashers at lower temperature settings will reduce the amount of scale deposited and ensure that these appliances operate efficiently and have a long lifetime. Some soaps and detergents contain anti-scaling ingredients and these can also help to minimise scaling.
Using a lower water temperature with appliances such as steam irons, kettles and coffee makers isn’t very practical. Some kettles come with filters built in these days, which can prevent or reduce the incursion of harmful minerals (as well as improving the taste of hot drinks). Some modern irons incorporate specially designed, removable scale traps which make it easy to wash away any scale under a running tap. Other alternatives include periodically cleaning your appliances with special anti-scale chemicals.
There may be no health problems as a result of a hard water supply, but some people will dislike the flavour of hot drinks and food prepared using this. In this case, a water filter could be used. Various types exist, ranging from simple jug type filters to on tap, under sink and even whole house filters. They are all effective, cheaper than you might imagine and relatively quick 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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