If i live in a hard water area what is the cheapest way of getting around the problem

[paterson00]

It seems like the hard water in my area is causing my element to go in my immersion tank very often. If the hard water is the cause how do i solve it? What options are available to me?

One way is to fit a heating element designed for hard/agressive water. I believe it's called an 'inconel' element or something like that, and it only costs a few quid more than the standard copper-sheathed element. It is supposed to last a lot longer!

Another possible (or additional) solution is to get a water conditioning unit fitted to the pipe supplying the hot water cylinder. This will not soften the hard water, but it will prevent scale building up on the element or inside the hwc. One type I have been using successfully is the polyphosphate type, which has a cartridge (or 'crystals') that needs replacing every year or two. It doses the water with very tiny undetectable amounts (ppm) of food-grade polyphosphate. This modifies the way calcium carbonate deposits form when the water is heated, so that they do not adhere.

Any help?

Cheers, Big Al

[Alanka]

Fit an element designed for hard/aggressive water. I believe it's called an 'Inconel' element, and is only slightly dearer than the regular element.

And/or fit a water conditioner in the feed pipe to the hot water cylinder. I recommend a cartridge-type polyphosphate dosing unit. You have to change the cartridge annually depending on usage. The water is not softened, but it won't deposit scale onto hot surfaces in the hwc and element, thus prolonging their lives and increasing efficiency. (Scale promotes corrosion on copper surfaces.)

Both these solutions are not too pricey, especially if you can do it yourself.

Hope this helps!