A custom made strap is provided which fits up to 28mm outside diameter. However if required the unit can fit a pipe size of up to 38mm outside diameter (without the use of the strap).

Due to the unique way that HydroFLOW transmits the signal up and down the whole water system, we recommend that the unit be installed on the cold feed to the heat exchanger. In the case of a traditional gravity-fed system, this would be the down pipe between the cold water storage tank and the hot water cylinder. With a mains pressure system, the unit should be fitted on the cold feed, just before it enters the heat exchanger.

Yes, in the UK there are two versions of power supply. The HydroFLOW hs38 “A” version is one that requires an electrician or qualified person to wire it into a fused spur. The HydroFLOW hs38 “B” version has a 13amp plug with an in-built transformer that can be plugged into a suitable socket.

PLEASE NOTE that this HydroFLOW hs38 is a 240V 50Hz model designed for the UK market, and will not operate outside the UK.

The HydroFLOW hs38 does not change the chemical composition of the water in any way. It works purely on a physical basis, leaving the water completely drinkable. Essential minerals are retained in the water. Unlike water softeners, it is not necessary to provide a separate untreated drinking supply.

Yes, although it may be a gradual process over a period of months. The way in which HydroFLOW prevents limescale from forming on pipework also increases the solvicity of water – meaning that any limescale which had already formed will gradually dissolve. However, not all scale is limescale. Some scale cannot be dissolved and can only be removed by acid cleaning. Once a system is cleaned it is less likely to scale up again.

Yes, HydroFLOW hs38 is not dependent on water flow, like other devices. The water does NOT have to flow past the unit to be treated. Rather than taking the water to the treatment, we are taking the treatment to the water. Our patented signal transmits along conductive materials, e.g. water or metal, and therefore throughout the whole system (primary and secondary), protecting it 24 hours a day

The HydroFLOW hs38 only uses a maximum power of 1.2 watts when connected via it 12v AC transformer. This is approximately just over £2 a year in the UK. This price, however, depends on the current electricity prices.

The bright red light on the unit is powered by the signal itself, and can be relied upon to indicate that the system is being protected.

Water which is pumped to houses contains minerals. The level of these minerals will vary, depending on the geological make-up of the surrounding area, the way in which the water has been sourced (it may be ground water or surface water) and how it has been filtered for human consumption. In areas with ‘hard water’ (see map and explanation below), the water generally contains a relatively high amount of minerals when it reaches the home.

When water is rapidly heated, such as in a domestic heating system, this causes the minerals contained within the water to no longer be dissolved in the water and to stick to nearby surfaces (such as to the inside of a pipe, or to the plates of a heat exchanger element). Over time, layers of these mineral deposits build up and cause scaling or ‘furring’ in the plumbing system.

When heating surfaces are covered with scale, their ability to transfer heat into the water is reduced. As a consequence, the efficiency of the system is affected. This has a knock-on effect on your domestic energy bills in your home.

Additionally, the presence of limescale on taps, in sinks, in bathtubs and inside kitchen appliances can necessitate intensive cleaning on a regular basis. This regular removal of hard scale deposits by cleaning can be time-consuming and may also involve the use of hazardous or unpleasant chemicals.

See our below map for an at-a-glance guide to hard water areas in the UK and Ireland.

Hard water is characterised by leaving residual scum marks on the inside of cups, bathtubs and sinks, and by taking longer to create suds when soap is added to it. It is also often said to leave a chalky aftertaste in the mouth. Limescale is a very common occurrence in homes situated in hard water areas.

However, pockets of hard water can still occur in areas which are deemed to have soft water, depending on the source of the water supply (which can sometimes be unexpectedly changed by your supplier, for example during shortages) and on the specific geological conditions of an area.

You may therefore still see limescale occurring in your home even if you live in an area which generally has soft water.

The HydroFLOW hs38 is a patented electronic water conditioner. It is a piece of equipment which fits around pipework and transmits an electronic signal into the water contained within. The signal propagates around the entire pipe system and causes the limescale present in the water to form into loose clusters. When the water is heated these clusters form crystals in suspension in the water which normally wash away with the flow, so that they no longer adhere to the inside of the pipework or to any other surfaces. Over time (depending on flow rate, water parameters, amount of heating etc), existing limescale which has already been formed in the system will begin to erode, again washing away with the flow of the water.

The HydroFLOW hs38 is environmentally friendly and easy to install – it involves no use of chemicals and requires no cutting or rearrangement of pipework. The HydroFLOW hs38 unit runs off a standard power supply – all units are supplied with a standard plug and 3 metre-long power cable.

Unlike water softeners, the HydroFLOW hs38 does not chemically alter the water. This means that the minerals are all still present. When the water is heated the minerals will form as powder. In most cases, this is washed away with the flow of water.

However, if the flow rate is low, then a small amount of this powder can build up over time, for instance in the bottom of a hot water cylinder, with the amount depending on the flow rate, hardness of the water and system configuration. If desired, this powdery residue can be dealt with by an occasional drain down or cleaning of the system.

You may require the installation of a slightly more powerful unit.

Please contact the UK office or your local dealer if you are not based in the UK.

If you need assistance with preventing limescale or biofouling, or if you wish to improve filtration in a commercial or industrial application (such as in a cooling tower, swimming pool, water treatment plant or other setting), please take a look at the rest of our product range and contact the UK office or your local dealer if you are not based in the UK.