search
cart
facebook instagram twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
    • FEATURED PRODUCTS
  • CONTRACTORS
    • BATH & KITCHEN PRO
    • BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
    • HIGH EFFICIENCY HOMES
    • TECHNOLOGY
    • WATER TREATMENT
    • PMC COLUMNS
      • Dave Yates: Contractor’s Corner
      • John Siegenthaler: Hydronics Workshop
      • Kenny Chapman: The Blue Collar Coach
      • Matt Michel: Service Plumbing Pros
      • Scott Secor: Heating Perceptions
  • ENGINEERS
    • CONTINUING EDUCATION
    • DECARBONIZATION | ELECTRIFICATION
    • FIRE PROTECTION
    • GEOTHERMAL | SOLAR THERMAL
    • PIPING | PLUMBING | PVF
    • PME COLUMNS
      • Christoph Lohr: Strategic Plumbing Insights
      • David Dexter: Plumbing Talking Points
      • James Dipping: Engineer Viewpoints
      • John Seigenthaler: Renewable Heating Design
      • Lowell Manalo: Plumbing Essentials
      • Misty Guard: Guard on Compliance
  • RADIANT & HYDRONICS
    • RADIANT COMFORT REPORT
    • THE GLITCH & THE FIX
  • INSIGHTS
    • CODES
    • GREEN PLUMBING & MECHANICAL
    • PROJECT PROFILES
    • COLUMNS
      • Codes Corner
      • Natalie Forster: Editorial Opinion
      • Guest Editorial
  • MEDIA
    • EBOOKS
    • PODCASTS
    • VIDEOS
    • WEBINARS
  • RESOURCES
    • INDUSTRY CALENDAR
    • DIRECTORIES
    • PM BOOKSTORE
    • CE CENTER
    • MARKET RESEARCH
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EMAGAZINE
    • EMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVE ISSUES
    • CONTACT
    • ADVERTISE
    • PME EMAGAZINE ARCHIVES
  • SIGN UP!

Hard Water, Limescale Build-up Consume 26% More Energy

January 22, 2009
Hard water creates limescale build-up on water pipes and heating coils, which restricts water flow and reduces heat-transferring capability in appliances.



According to Hardwater.Org, more than 80 percent of U.S. homes have hard water. Hard water creates limescale build-up (mineral deposits on water pipes and heating coils), which restricts water flow and reduces heat-transferring capability in appliances. The U.S. Department of Energy published data Jan. 2, 2009, that says EPA Energy Star-rated water heaters can save Americans up to $823 million. However, Limescale build-up could cost Energy Star water heaters nearly $206 million of that savings.

In a study by the Water Quality Association (2004), water heaters using untreated hard water also consumed almost 26 percent more energy. The American Society of Plumbing Engineers reported that as little as 1/16 inch of scale build-up can increase energy consumption by 11 percent. 

In addition, studies from New Mexico State University report that by reducing and preventing mineral (scale) build-up on pipes and appliances, households could experience up to a 30 percent savings in energy costs and longer life (25-40 percent) for their appliances.

Eco-Friendly, Cost-Effective Solution To Hard Water

However, leaching chemicals into soils has some municipalities taking a second-look at traditional sodium-based softening systems. These chemical softening systems could be on the verge of being banned, especially in conservation-focused states such as Oregon and California.

One company, HydroCare, offers products that reduce energy costs by preventing mineral buildup and dissolving existing buildup of limescale by transmitting an electrical signal through the water. When the water is heated, this signal suspends minerals, preventing them from depositing on the inside of pipes and heating elements in appliances.

HydroCare, a technology developed in Europe that uses a patented radio wave technology to prevent and break-down mineral build-up in pipes and appliances, proves to be a viable option. According to studies by British Gas, The PazGas Group and the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the radio wave technology is an effective solution. It uses radio wave technology to prevent mineral build up, so no chemicals, salt or magnets are used with the HydroCare system.

The radio signal propagates throughout the entire plumbing system, requiring no maintenance and uses less than 2 watts of electricity. More than 600,000 locations worldwide use the technology including hotels, hospitals and homes. The technology is distributed exclusively in the USA by H Q Hometek Inc.,Oceanside, N.Y. The HydroCare unit is about the size of a cell phone and can be installed quickly and easily, making it a viable option for widespread use.

Source: HydroCare USA

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • 2025 Next Gen ALL-STARS hero 1440

    2025 Next Gen All Stars: Top 20 Under 40 Plumbing Professionals

    This year’s group of NextGen All-Stars is full of young...
    Plumbing & Mechanical Engineer
    By: Kristen R. Bayles
  • Worker using the Milwaukee Tool SWITCH PACK drain cleaner

    Pipeline profits: Drain cleaning, pipe inspection create opportunities

    Drain cleaning and inspection services offer lucrative...
    Green Plumbing and Mechanical
    By: Nicole Krawcke
  • Uponor employee, Arturo Moreno

    The reinvestment in American manufacturing and training

    Plumbing & Mechanical Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke and...
    Plumbing News
    By: Nicole Krawcke and Natalie Forster
Manage My Account
  • Newsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • eMagazine
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Popular Stories

Water Conservation eBook 2025 900x550 showing hands holding a globe under running water.

eBook | Water Conservation, Quality & Safety 2025

Hot water pipes

Campus shutdown at Oakland University exposes hidden risks of aging hot-water infrastructure

Industrial pressure gauge on a tank.

From cutting edge to classic: How to modernize outdated pneumatic control systems

Download the FREE 2025 Water Conservation, Quality & Safety eBook

Poll

Will business be up or down in 2025?

Do you anticipate business in 2025 to be up or down in comparison to 2024?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

The Water Came To A Stop

The Water Came To A Stop

See More Products
eBook | 2025 Radiant & Hydronics All Stars

Related Articles

  • Softening Up Hard Water

    See More
  • Water heater shipments up more than 12% in March

    See More
  • More Apartment, Condo Builders Choose To Build Green

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • cengagebook.jpg

    Heating with Renewable Energy

  • the water book.jpeg

    The Water Came To A Stop

See More Products
×

Keep your content unclogged with our newsletters!

Stay in the know on the latest plumbing & piping industry trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Supply House Times
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing