When a heat supplier tests more than ten water treatment systems side by side over two decades, the verdict carries weight. Here is why Centrotherm came to rely on HydroFLOW® — and the 13 practical reasons it stood out.
A 20-year side-by-side comparison
For over 25 years, Hydropath and our partner Koncept Ekotech have delivered non-chemical water treatment across the Czech Republic and Slovakia. One of the clearest endorsements comes from Centrotherm Mladá Boleslav, a major heat and hot water supplier that has tested magnetic, electrostatic and chemical systems in live conditions since 1998.
The HydroFLOW® C series water treatment system has proven to be the most successful. We have been operating these units since 1998. Now we have installed them on about 85% of the heat exchangers.— Centrotherm Mladá Boleslav
The trouble with chemical and ion-exchange systems
Centrotherm also trialled cation-exchange softeners and chemical dosing, and documented recurring drawbacks:
- ✗High running costsSignificant operational and energy overheads over time.
- ✗Complex to runDemanding documentation, installation and ongoing oversight.
- ✗More water and wasteIncreased water use and sewage load from regeneration and discharge.
- ✗Environmental impactSalt discharge and the risk of aggressive water corroding metal pipes.
Why HydroFLOW® outperformed every other solution
Centrotherm set out 13 reasons they now rely on HydroFLOW® for the majority of their heat exchangers — and they map neatly onto what makes the technology practical at scale.
- 1Easy to retrofitClamps around existing pipework, so no major modifications — ideal for new builds and retrofits alike.
- 2Minimal design inputWorks without detailed flow, velocity or water-chemistry data — all it needs is the pipe’s outer diameter.
- 3Little to no maintenanceNo servicing, calibration or chemical top-ups once installed — valuable for remote or large sites.
- 4Space-savingNo tanks, waste lines, chemical feeders or drainage — suits tight plant rooms and retrofits.
- 5Energy-efficientEach unit draws roughly the power of a light bulb while running continuously.
- 6Modular and scalableModels for everything from a domestic boiler to a large industrial system, with custom options.
- 7No heat-transfer lossIt treats water without contact, so no insulation is needed and thermal efficiency is preserved.
- 8Fully non-chemicalA patented ferrite core and electronic signal treat water physically — no hazardous substances or by-products.
- 9No downtime to installClamps on without cutting, draining or isolating the system — it begins working immediately.
- 10Works across conditionsEffective regardless of pressure, temperature or flow — from closed-loop HVAC to open cooling towers.
- 11No extra filters neededNo mechanical pre-treatment or isolation valves required, simplifying system design.
- 12Treats existing limescaleHelps break down and disperse existing deposits over time, not just prevent new build-up.
- 13Major operational savingsIn Centrotherm’s case, cleaning frequency fell from four times a year to once.
The benefits in practice
- ★Improved efficiencyBetter heat transfer and lower energy use across heating and cooling equipment.
- ★Longer equipment lifeLess scale-related strain and wear on critical plant.
- ★Optimised chemical and water useReduced reliance on descalers and inhibitors, and less water wasted on flushing.
- ★Less downtimeFewer cleaning cycles and service interruptions.
Built for commercial buildings
The HydroFLOW® C Range suits HVAC and plumbing systems in offices, hospitals, hotels, care homes and schools — particularly where the goal is to reduce operational costs, lower environmental impact and support ESG and sustainability targets. Explore the commercial product range or read how the technology works on the technology page.
See what it could do for your systems
Backed by decades of real-world testing, HydroFLOW® supports cleaner, lower-cost water treatment without chemicals. Talk to our team about your systems, your scaling challenges and your operational goals.
