Electronic Water Conditioners: Fact, Fiction or Unknown?

There are two factions which have caused the "do they work?" controversy over the years. The first is a group of charlatans trying to make a fast buck on a product by selling it as a water softener. The second faction includes those in fear of the water softener industry being overcome by an inexpensive alternative to selling water softeners and lifetime requirements for service, maintenance and salt/chemical supply₁. The fact of the matter is, electronic water conditioners are de-scaling tools. This is their primary job in he water treatment industry. During the process, energy is induced to the minerals, which pass through the electronic water conditioner. As water flows through it, the hard water minerals take on a different crystalline structure form when precipitated. The water develops an increased solubility factor, which helps it absorb more of whatever the water may be mixed with down stream.

These reactions are physical rather than chemical, so there is no change in the water make-up. In addition to visual results, physical tests are available to show the positive mechanical changes such as increased water flow and improved heat transfer efficiency in heavily scaled plumbing systems. The results substantiate the visibly apparent results.

The Scientific Basis for Electronic Water Conditioning

New technology, of any kind, is often met with skepticism and fear, and frequently accompanied by inaccurate rumors. Electronic water conditioners are no exception and have long experienced misinformation and controversy regarding their effectiveness.

As water passes through the electronic water conditioner, electromagnetic energy polarizes the mineral molecules in the water, thus reducing the surface tension to keep minerals in solution better. The energy actually alters the crystalline structure that the minerals will form when they are finally precipitated out of solution.

The physical energy change factors are described as follows:

"Calcium carbonate (the major component of scale) exists in two crystal forms: aragonite (the least desirable) and calcite (the most desirable). Aragonite has an orthorhombic tructure (elongated prism), Brinell hardness of 3 1/2-4, and density of 2.947. Calcite has rhombohedral structure (all sides are equal rhombuses), Brinell hardness of 3, and density of 2.7102. Where the opportunity occurs, ions, atoms, or molecules arrange themselves in positions of least energy and more symmetrical and regular crystal forms. The transformation of aragonite to calcite is much more rapid when in contact with water ontaining dissolved calcium carbonate. One way to speed up this transformation is to induce a magnetic field, which affects the intermolecular forces and, as a result, changes the crystalline structure of scale from aragonite to calcite, which has lower energy, hardness, and density, and has a higher solubility coefficient factor. This effect makes water more capable of dissolving the existing scale build-up encrustations which, in the form of "lime sludge", can be easily rinsed away."

There are, of course, inferior designs, misapplications, and even impostors, as there are in any industry. We can only verify the scientific principles by which this technology works, and warrant our system. When properly installed our system performs its function very well.

There is good news for those in the water softening industry, too. Independent third party tests show an increase in water softener efficiency when the water is pre-treated with a properly installed electromagnetic system. We anticipate that, in time, as others in the water treatment industry become more educated about how these scientific principles work, this new technology will be widely accepted as a valuable tool in the pursuit of ecologically-safe, higher-efficiency water treatment equipment.

Realistic Evaluation of the TECHNO-PURE Technology

While the quickest method of evaluating any type of equipment is a cost-benefit analysis using only measurable dollars, it is not always an accurate accounting. This is the case with TECHNO-PURE technology.

The immeasurable, but very real, cost benefits our company receives from the TECHNOPURE technology are quite likely equal to, or even more than the measurable benefit of chemical and labor cost savings. For no charge, we receive a variety of services that free our staff to attend to other maintenance tasks and functions. Were we able to accurately track the time saved as a result of these services, it would be formidable:

• Consulting for all water-related issues, including pools, spas, and fountains.
• Saves time by preventing potential pitfalls, as well as immediate troubleshooting.
• Equipment replacement analysis and locating. Expert knowledge saves time by selecting the best (performance and value) equipment and locating it at the lowest possible price. Our own people have substantiated this and the price has indeed always been well below prices we were quoted.
• Streamlined service. Having one point of reference for any water related problem, that is consistent at all my properties, makes it easier and more efficient for everyone, and ultimately saves a lot of valuable time.

Additionally, there are immeasurable benefits provided by the TECHNOPURE technology that add considerable cost savings including maintenance time allocation and task prioritizing. In the middle of summer, when most pool problems occur, maintenance personnel can work on priority tasks such as repairing A/C units instead of cleaning up the pool. The TECHNO-PURE system is so thorough, routine maintenance is significantly reduced, and shutdowns virtually eliminated.

An even less noticeable, but perhaps even more significant, benefit of the TECHNOPURE technology, is its ability to extend the life of equipment such as heaters and pumps, and the pool surface, by eliminating the chemicals that accelerate corrosion and cause breakdowns.

As you can see, in real terms, even if the hard numbers only indicated a break-even situation, we will still be cutting costs that may not show up for a year, and may be visible only by some inexplicable decrease in costs, or increase in revenues elsewhere.

Furthermore, since you are lacking scientific controls, you can break out the total chemical usage into two pools but just looking at the gallon capacity. Other factors that will significantly impact the results include:

• Plant life/vegetation surrounding the pool or in the vicinity
• Sizing of other equipment
• Condition of other equipment
• Bather load of the pool
• Orientation to the sun
• Pool shape and construction

Clearly, the hard numbers from the chemical savings are not necessarily the decisive indicator of this technology. This is a case where a subjective analysis of the entire package is required, using both common sense and academic knowledge to evaluate all of the information available to us.

1. Alden L. Coke, "Magnetic Water Conditioners: Fact, Fiction, or Unknown", Water Quality Products, March 1997.