Terrydbhm
New Member
Bob, I know that nowhere in this forum or any other have I claimed that Hydrocare was a water softener nor does the manufacturer make any such claims. I have also never claimed that the traditional salt brine water softener doesn't work for softening water as I will admit that most do work very well. Hydrocare offers an alternative to the water softener for removing and controlling lime scale build up. This product also is an alternative to the traditional water softener for those end users who who like myself do not like the slimy feel of soft water and have concerns for the environmental issues of dumping tons of salt brine down our sewer systems and eventually into our environment. Some posters in this forum have made claims that the perception that with a product like Hydrocare we have some increased sudsing with soap and decreased hard water spotting is purely anecdotal. Isn't the claim that the slimy feel of softened water, which supposedly is moisturizing the skin and cuts down on skin creams and dry itchy flaky skin etc.. just as anecdotal , or is there actual scientific proof that this is the case?The following claims are made for Hydrocare:
"HydroCare is a revolutionary breakthrough in the treatment of hard water. One patented unit transmits a unique radio frequency signal that effectively breaks up existing limescale that clogs in pipes, showers and appliances. It will prevent any future buildup protecting the entire plumbing system and increasing efficiency. The electric field is generated through the entire plumbing system and all water appliances.
A Green and Efficient Water Treatment Solution!
Costs a fraction of a water softener!
No Maintenance! No Bags of Salt!
No Filters!
Energy Savings – up to 30% increased efficiencies in heating water
Unclogs pipes and saves thousands of gallons of water
Extends the life of your entire plumbing system and appliances
Environmentally friendly and healthy!
Uses less than 2 watts!"
There are no claims that the unit softens the water--only that it "breaks up existing lime scale"...and "prevent any future build up".
Can we all agree that it is not a softener and should not be compared to a softener?.
It does seem to me that the claims made should be supported with documentation--particularly claims like "30% increased efficiencies in heating water" and "saves thousands of gallons of water", and "extends the life of your entire plumbing system and appliances" .
The energy savings claim claim is based upon that if you remove the built up lime scale on a water heater's heat exchanger the unit will heat water more efficiently and thus use less energy and 30% in savings is not out of line. By the way the information for this claim was based upon findings from British Gas. Lime sale is also one of the main contributors to water heater failure so removing it will extend the life of an average water heater.
Saving thousands of gallons of water is also very true, the average salt brine water softener uses on average about 20,000 gallons of water to recharge itself per year. This water goes down the drain. Hydrocare does not recharge with water so it saves that 20,000 gallons a year.
I would also like to see documentation for the statement that it costs a fraction of a water softener. If it can be purchased for $600 I can point to a water softener that can be purchased for $450--and that "fraction" is 1 and 1/3 or 1.33 times MORE than a water softener.
I do not know about the market you are in, but in mine the 2 largest water treatment dealers who both sell nationally known whole house water systems, start their pricing in the $5000 range, and I have seen quotes as high as $10,000. These systems are granted high end but are basically a brine water softener and a R/O under sink drinking water system. They both use high handed and high pressure sales tactics to "scare" their customers into making their purchases. I have heard reports that their sales people tell potential customers that our city water has deadly bacteria and that they are slowly poisoning their family with city tap water. In an earlier post I made reference this this. I have seen the big box home improvement stores sell water softeners in the $500 to $700 range but these prices do not include installation which will run into several hundred dollars more. Does the $450 for a water softener you can point to include installation.