How Effective Are Aquabion Water Conditioners At Tackling Limescale Problems
In Your Homes Pipework, Boiler & Kitchen Appliances
Read on to see if their market-leading S15 & S20 water conditioners are up to the job
A Typical Aquabion Customer
Do You Happen To Live In A Hard Water Area Of The UK?
If so then you will eventually become the victim of a silent enemy known as limescale, a hard crusty substance that clings to everything and shows no mercy to all things metallic. This hard water area covers roughly 60% of the landmass, primarily located across the South East, East Anglia, and parts of the Midlands – consider yourself warned about limescale.
Well what is the connection between hard water and limescale? Here it is: the natural minerals in heated hard water have a strong tendency to unite and form scale. The higher the level of minerals (measured in mg/L) the greater the buildup of limescale.
While calcium carbonate levels above 150 mg/L in your water supply might be great for your health it’s not so great for the health of your home.
Essential minerals in hard water like calcium, magnesium, and potassium will give you strong bones and teeth, but will also cause limescale buildup in all the places where heated water flows throughout your home. These minerals will join forces, by chemically bonding together, and slowly clog up your homes pipework, boiler heat exchanger, and kitchen appliances (think of it like cholesterol but in your homes plumbing).
Unlike real cholesterol, limescale buildup is easy to tackle and can even be slowly reversed with an Aquabion domestic water conditioner, a zero maintenance device that is easy to install and can be forgotten about for the next 7 years or so, left to do its job in silence and without complaint.
And with no need for a power supply, salt refills, or chemicals and along with zero generation of waste by-products (unlike water softeners), even your average eco-warrior will be hard-pushed to offer any complaints.
Read on to see if their “98% effective at stopping limescale” claim can be justified – I say not to be honest (see why below).
Feel Free To Contact Us
Let us know if you have any questions regarding this water conditioner technology and how it it a great eco-friendly alternative to the polluting ways of a conventional water softener. Send us an email and we will get back to you within a day or so.
Coming To A Home Near You (Perhaps Yours)
Who Are Aquabion?
The Current UK Market Leader For Limescale Control
Aquabion is a German engineering and manufacturing company that leads the way in chemical-free water treatment products for the industrial, commercial and domestic markets across the globe, operating in around 35 countries at the last count.
Germany is world-renowned for R&D and precision engineering, something that is obvious if you cut open an Aquabion water conditioner (not recommended). So if you seek a battle-tested limescale busting solution for your home then you can’t go wrong with a water conditioner that boasts “Made in Germany”. Their beer is pretty good as well.
It’s worth pointing out Advanced Hydro and Halcyan at this point, two competitors to Aquabion who also manufacturer limescale control devices (see the comparison chart below). These three are actually the top manufacturers of water conditioners in the UK, all boasting a great reputation in the domestic, commercial, construction, and industrial sectors.
The Aquabion Water Conditioner Family
The Advanced Hydro Water Conditioner Family
The Halcyan Water Conditioner Family
How Aquabion Water Conditioners Work?
By Disarming Those Pesky Minerals With A Bit Of Zinc
Their S15 and S20 conditioners deploy some weird scientific process known as a galvanic and electrolytic solution, something I won’t bother explaining in detail here (as I don’t fully understand it).
But basically it introduces minute quantities of zinc ions into your incoming water supply, resulting in a different type of chemical reaction between the limescale-forming minerals. And instead of them combining into a sticky scale they end up as a non-adhering lime (known as aragonite by smart people) that simply flows through the system.
But where does this non-sticky stuff end up you might ask. Most of it will simply vacate your property via the drain, although you might notice a slight powdery residue in your bathroom, especially on tiles, shower screens, and shower heads. But this is easily wiped away with a cloth without the use of cleaning chemicals. Better this I say than scale sticking to the insides of pipes, boilers and kitchen appliances.
If you are still not sold then perhaps the following Aquabion claims will convince you:
- Over 80% limescale reduction.
- Less boiler and appliance breakdowns.
- More efficient kitchen appliances.
- Reduced energy usage.
- WRAS approved for drinking water.
- Zero maintenance.
- Easier cleaning around the bathroom.
- Slowly removes existing scale from pipework.
- Increased water pressure.
- Reduced bacterial growth.
- Reduced metal corrosion.
The Internal Guts Of An Aquabion S20
Does Aquabion Actually Reduce Limescale?
Yes, But I Doubt Its By As Much As They Claim
This is one of the most common questions homeowners should ask before investing in a water conditioning system. These devices are not cheap so make sure you are situated in a hard water area before shelling out for a lump of shiny brass that will only serve as a showpiece.
If you do happen to live in one of the limescale danger areas of the UK then, yes, an Aquabion will definitely help protect your home from limescale. In fact, Aquabion make the bold claim “up to 98% effective at stopping limescale” (see here), which sounds a bit like cooking the books to me so let’s just stick with “80% limescale reduction” to be on the safe side.
But please be aware that an Aquabion unit does not actually remove limescale forming minerals from the water like a traditional salt-based water softener does. Instead, it conditions the minerals to help reduce how strongly they stick to both internal and external surfaces.
Beware Them There Minerals
Imagine That Inside A Boilers Heat Exchanger
Limescale Is A Great Thermal Insulator
Aquabion Prices
Aquabion Water Conditioner
15mm (½”) or 22mm (¾”)
From £466.99 + Free Delivery
Aquabion S15
£466.99
Aquabion S20
£691.99
Aquabion Vs Traditional Water Softeners
One Of These Is A Great Polluter Of Rivers
Traditional water softeners completely remove hardness minerals using an ion exchange technology. While highly effective, they require salt, regeneration cycles, and regular maintenance. It’s these infamous self-cleaning regeneration cycles that keep environmentalist awake at night, an automatic process that dumps brine (sodium chloride) down the drain along with 20 to 50 gallons (75 to 190 litres) of water each time. In fact, several cities and sanitation districts in America, especially in California, have completely banned these self-regenerating salt-based softeners to help protect local waterways and delicate aquatic ecosystems.
Aquabion water conditioners work differently – instead of removing minerals, they condition the water to help reduce scale formation, using a scientific process that requires no salt or chemicals or the urge to flush anything down the sewerage system.
Benefits over a water softener:
- Zero ongoing costs over its lifespan.
- Does not require salt top-ups.
- Zero maintenance.
- Does not require regular servicing or deep cleaning.
- Retains healthy minerals in your drinking water.
- Does not waste water.
- Does not pollute the environment with brine discharges.
- No need for a waste outlet.
- Simple inline compact installation.
Looks Like A One-Sided Battle From Here
Results can vary depending on water hardness levels and household usage, but many users find that an Aquabion helps make hard water problems far more manageable. The appeal for many homeowners comes from the balance between protection and convenience. There are no heavy salt bags to carry and store, no electrical components (on some water softener models) or complicated pipework to run, and no environmentally wasteful regeneration cycles to manage.
Monthly Cost Of Water Softener Salt For A Small Household
Figures Based On The Lowest Cost I Could Find On Amazon
Don’t Forget The Price Of Buying The Device In The First Place
Water Softener Brine Wastage Harms River Ecosystems
Aquabion S15 And Aquabion S20 Models
Two of the most popular domestic systems are the Aquabion S15 and Aquabion S20 water conditioners.
Aquabion S15
The Aquabion S15 is designed for:
- 15mm pipe systems.
- Smaller homes.
- Flats and apartments.
- Households with lower water demand.
Its compact size makes it suitable for smaller properties where installation space may be limited.
Aquabion S15 Installed In 15mm Pipework
Aquabion S20
The Aquabion S20 is designed for:
- 22mm pipe systems.
- Larger family homes.
- Higher water demand.
- Properties with multiple bathrooms.
The S20 provides greater flow capacity while maintaining the same galvanic conditioning technology used across the Aquabion range.
Aquabion S20 Installed In 22mm Pipework
Both models are designed for whole-property water conditioning and will provide long-term protection against hard water scale problems. The important thing is to make sure you fit the correctly sized unit for your property and water usage. Here is some information from Aquabion on this issue.
Technical Specification Of The Aquabion S15 Unit
Technical Specification Of The Aquabion S20 Unit
Main Benefits Of Aquabion Water Conditioners
Limescale Reduction
By reducing scale buildup you are protecting every part of the house where heated water flows.
Reduced Energy Wastage
Limescale is a very effective thermal insulator, which is the last thing you want surrounding heating elements and boiler heat exchangers.
Reduced Bacterial Growth
Bacteria love limescale as it promotes their colonization efforts, with its rough surface offering the litter critters a perfect place to hide and multiply.
No Salt Required
Traditional water softeners rely on regular salt refills. Aquabion systems operate completely salt-free, reducing environmental impact and running costs.
No Electricity Needed
Aquabion systems require no electrical power, making them energy efficient with zero ongoing costs over its lifespan.
Zero Maintenance
There are no complicated settings, timers, or regeneration programs to manage. Once installed, the system works quietly in the background without complaint.
Eco-Friendly Operation
Because Aquabion systems do not use salt or produce salt-laden waste water during regeneration cycles, they are a more environmentally friendly option.
Compact Design
Many UK homes have limited utility space to accommodate a bulky water softener unit. Aquabion systems are compact inline devices that are simply attached into the mains water pipe.
Whole-House Protection
The systems are designed to help protect boilers, pipes, hot water systems, taps, and household appliances throughout the whole property.
Increased Water Flow
Conditioned water will slowly dissolve and break down existing scale deposits throughout the complete system, eventually increasing flow rates to your taps and shower.
Aquabion vs Halcyan vs Advanced Hydro
| DESCRIPTION | AQUABION | HALCYAN | ADVANCED HYDRO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limescale Prevention | Over 80% | Over 80% | Over 80% |
| Inhibits Corrosion | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Independently Tested | No |  Yes | See Results |
| Complete Household Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lifespan | 7 Years | 30 Years | 10 Years |
| Manufacturer Warranty | 5 Years | 30 Years | 10 Years |
| Environmentally Friendly | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chemical & Salt Free | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Includes Earth Clamp & Wire | Yes | Earthing Not Required | Yes |
| Easy Installation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Zero Maintenance Costs | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Country Of Manufacture | Germany | Australia | UK |
| Reduces Heating Costs | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Reduces Appliance Repair Bills | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Reduces Usage Of Cleaning Chemicals | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Reduces Risk Of Legionella | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum Operating Pressure | 16.0 bar | 10.0 bar | 10.0 bar |
| WRAS Approved (For Drinking Water) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Safe For Making Baby Food | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Retains Naturally Occurring Minerals | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Zinc Content (Depletes Over Lifespan) | x1 | N/A | x2 |
| Alloy Content (Does Not Deplete) | N/A | x1 | N/A |
| Small Domestic Unit Weight | 0.436kg | 0.24kg | 1.1kg |
| Small Domestic Unit Length | 120mm | 110mm | 150mm |
| Large Domestic Unit Weight | 1.64kg | 0.5kg | 3.1kg |
| Large Domestic Unit Length | 180mm | 188mm | 205mm |
Why UK Homeowners Choose Aquabion?
Expert German Engineering And Manufacturing
Aquabion are considered UK market leaders and innovators in the field of limescale control, with their products being recommended by professional plumbers and installers. On top of this the manufacturer also offers a 1-year money back satisfaction guarantee (see here).
But regardless of this, you should still do your research, take a look at the competitors, and definitely consider some sort of protection against future limescale problems if happen to live in a hard water area of the UK.
If nothing else you should at least be on the look out for the first signs of limescale buildup. And what are these early warning signs you ask:
- Increasing levels of white streaks on your shower screen.
- Same thing for glassware cleaned in a dishwasher.
- Clogged shower head.
- Reduced water pressure.
- Hard to clean metallic fixtures.
- Increasing rate of appliance breakdowns.
And perhaps ever increasing energy bills, although this blame should be shared with the greedy energy corporations to be fair.
Installation And Maintenance
One Hour Installation And Zero Hours Maintenance
Aquabion systems should be installed on the incoming mains water supply just after the shut-off valve. Professional installation is recommended to ensure correct setup and performance. One of the biggest causes for failure that we have seen is that the supplied earth bonding has not been fitted or that there is not a minimal length of copper pipe on each end (when installed in PVC pipework), both critical for the galvanic principle that these devices are based on to work (something to do with allowing the small electrical charge generated to flow freely).
There are zero maintenance requirements once installed, making these devices the perfect solution for those of us who prefer not to get our hands dirty carrying out regular deep-cleaning missions on a water softener tank.
That low-maintenance design, along with zero ongoing costs, are two of the main reasons that water conditioning systems continue to grow in popularity among UK homeowners.
Typical Installation In A System With Metal Pipework
Typical Installation In A System With Plastic Pipework
Additional Protection With A Hot-Water Circulation Pump
Final Thoughts
Install It And Forget About It For The Next 7 Years
Aquabion water conditioners offer a practical and low-maintenance solution for homeowners dealing with hard water and related limescale problems, especially decreasing flow rates and increasing energy bills – if only it were the other way round!
With salt-free operation, no electricity requirements, compact installation, and long-term limescale protection, Aquabion systems provide an attractive alternative to traditional water softeners.
For UK homeowners looking for a simpler way to manage hard water without constant maintenance headaches, Aquabion water conditioners are certainly worth considering.
Aquabion Videos & More
How An Aquabion Works
Aquabion Vs Water Softener
What To Expect From An Aquabion
Fitting An Aquabion S15
Unboxing An Aquabion S20
Fitting An Aquabion S20
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Aquabion Customer Review 2
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Aquabion Customer Review 5