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Here in Kansas we have a hard water problem. I don’t want to use a water softener so would like some alternative suggestions. Six months ago I bought a product called “ClearWater”–you wrap copper wire about your copper pipes and plug it in and it’s supposed to take the unwanted elements out of the water. I know my dishwasher looks less stained and there are no more muddy glasses etc. but I don’t know how it works and if it is really taking care of those elements that will clog my water heater etc. Any experience out there with this or other hardwater gadgets. Can someone tell me how this plug in Clearwater thing works (deionzation?) and which elements it works on. Thanks Sacie L.
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Dear Sacie,
I would still be looking at a water conditioning system. What you describe is interesting, however, do ask yourself one question, these elements that this coil is supposed to be removing from your water inside the pipes is going where exactly, after it's removed. It must still be inside the pipes, right.
Just a thought,
Gabe
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Only one way I know of to deal w/hard water - a soft water system. Here in Mich., it's unheard of NOT to have one. Why are you opposed to a softner?
*Sacie:This is a real way to treat water, arguably the most environmental and healthy way to manage the scale from hard water. I have a permanent magnet system on my home, and offer the product to all of my remodeling clients.The DOE did a technical report on magnetic water conditoning, you can find it at:http://www.eren.doe.gov/femp/prodtech/magfta.htmlSome systems are better than others, if you want more info, e-mail me.Hope this answers your questionBill Robinson
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Plese be cautious in this; even the report (tough to read! and I'm a lawyer) Bill cites gives a very foggy scientific grounding for this technology: "the evidence supporting the technologies may be thought of as mainly anecdotal". In other words, no rigorous proof, just people's stories. Some people certainly swear by them, perhaps the critical elements are the right device, the right water conditions, and the right installation. If it works for your neighbor it'll probably work for you. I know CR slammed one of the cheaper devices recently.
DON'T get one of the ozone-generating "air purifiers". At least i know that much! :)
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Sacie: What you have is an eletromagetic scale control system. It works by varying an electric field over a range of frequencies. Theoretically, this inhibits scale formation. Personally, I've had no experience with them so I can't attest to their workability. However, you seemed to indicate some benefits. If the device is hooked to a water pipe before your hot water heater, the heater should be receiving some benefit. If its electric, unplug the power, drain enough water out so the water level is below the heating element, and remove the heating element for inspection. If there is hard crusty scale on the heat exchanger, you system is not working as advertised. I don't like the idea of the electromagnetic devices for several reasons (1) requires an energy source (2) will eventually wear out and (3) doesn't treat the whole house. This last point is particularly relevant if you live where there is no basement. To properly treat a house with a magnetic scale control system, the cold water coming into the house needs to be treated. If you are on a slab foundation, this means digging a hole in your yard and attaching the magnetic device(s) around the water pipe. This would be impractical for the electromagnetic devices since there is no electrical source and the device is not water proof.
PROOF THAT MAGNETS WORK: I have been manufacturing and selling a strong permanent magnetic system for over a year and have had no product returns due to the system not working. This is not to say I won't, but at least I haven't yet. I have absolutely no doubt that magnetic treatment works to inhibit scale formation and eliminate existing scale over time. However, I will readily admit that the scientific evidence is sketchy. Currently there are at least four scientific groups in Europe, Japan, South Aferica and the USA that are working diligently on trying to find out exactly how and why the technology works. Every other year they all get together at Cranfield College in England to discuss progress and share research results. The latest meeting was on 14 April 1999. Eventually, they will come to some conclusion. What has made the analysis so difficult is that the effect that a focused magnetic field has on passing water may be caused many many different thing rather than a simple cause and effect. Professor Busch of Baylor University summed it up by proclaiming "there may be a whole bunch of effects going on". So, right now all we have is ancedotal evidence. The bottom line seems to be this: If we have a relatively inexpensive product that never needs replacement, is environmentally friendly, and seems to work for most people, in most situations, why is hard scientific evidence such a major hang up to some people? I sell my basic product for $299 and give a full six month money back guarantee AND I encourage people to make their purchase with a credit card. Under those conditions, which I would consider to be risk free, why wouldn't someone suffering with hard water problems be willing to try the technology. For those wishing to review the Cranfield University School of Water Sciences web site and synopsis of the 1996 meeting on magnetic water treatment it can be viewed at: http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/sims/water/magnets.htm.
I am in the process of obtaining the report from the recently completed meeting and will post that information on my web site http://scalefighter.com when it becomes available.
Finally, if everyone required scientific proof before they believed in or tried something, no one would go to church, no one would take herbs and vitamins, and no one would follow a diet or exercise program. And we all engage in one or more of the above activities.
Dennis Durost
President/CEO
MAG-SOL Enterprises, llc
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Here in Kansas we have a hard water problem. I don't want to use a water softener so would like some alternative suggestions. Six months ago I bought a product called "ClearWater"--you wrap copper wire about your copper pipes and plug it in and it's supposed to take the unwanted elements out of the water. I know my dishwasher looks less stained and there are no more muddy glasses etc. but I don't know how it works and if it is really taking care of those elements that will clog my water heater etc. Any experience out there with this or other hardwater gadgets. Can someone tell me how this plug in Clearwater thing works (deionzation?) and which elements it works on. Thanks Sacie L.
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Hi Dennis,
I don't go to church, don't take herbs or vitamins, love to eat what I want and I consider exercise programs to be dangerous.
However, I do not require scientific proof before I use something. It does have to make sense though and your claims do not.
If wrapping a copper pipe with an extension cord was to remove minerals or anything else from the water, it would be common place by now. We have been doing that for decades, except we call them heating cables and they prevent exposed pipes from freezing.
What I can tell you is that it never cleaned out or prevented minerals in the water of any of the buildings that I visited.
Just a passing note, I don't buy snake oil either.
Gabe