We have now added our new EcoWater EcoFresh drinking water filter to our range of drinking filters.

This easy to install high quality active carbon filter removes chlorine taste and odour, reduces limescale deposits providing crystal clear water.

What is active carbon?

Active carbon is made from organic material and can originate from coconut, coal, wood etc.  Carbon has been used throughout history as an adsorbent* for contaminants and is considered the most powerful adsorbent known to man.

Carbon is extremely porous and activated carbon means the carbon has a slightly positive electrical charge, which makes it even more efficient.

Active carbon removes organic contaminants** from the water improving the aesthetic appearance of the water – colour, taste and odour.

How does active carbon work?

Adsorption* (Van der Waals force) contaminants are attached by this force into the pores of the activated carbon where they stay attached to the walls.

Organics** are contaminants with two basic elements, carbon and hydrogen.

What does active carbon remove?

The above listing is purely indicative and is based on data provided by active carbon suppliers.  The actual remove/reduction of contaminants depends on many factors.  The exact removal or reduction can only be confirmed by laboratory testing.

We have free tickets available for the first 5 callers. Max of 2 tickets each caller. Call Gareth Jones on 01494 480 605.

The many benefits of soft water means water softeners are a ‘must have’ of homes throughout the hard water areas of England. People understand not only the great savings that can be made by protecting against abrasive hard water, but soft water feels great too.

We know that once you experience soft water, you never want to be without it!

The choices available can be bewildering. That’s why talking to people at Grand Designs Live helps us to pass on our knowledge and expertise. We want you to make an informed choice that’s why we are happy to spend as much time as you want, to explain the benefits of soft water,  how water softeners work and the different types available in the UK.  We know our water softeners are that good, you can make your own mind up!

Please come and visit us at stand K38 and find out how a water softener can transform your home.

If you can’t make it to the exhibition, you can see EcoWater’s full range of softeners or call Gareth Jones he is happy to answer all your water softener questions – 01494 480 605.

An EcoWater water softener eliminates hard water and puts the luxury back into your bathroom. Soaps, shampoos and shower gels create a rich lather in water that’s so soft and gentle your skin will love you for using it.

Some people have sensitive skin or dry skin conditions such as eczema, which can be painful and itchy. Soft water has long been associated as being kinder to skin, and helping to alleviate dry skin conditions.

Natural skin care

Rachel Black is a consultant for Arbonne, a natural skincare range created with pure, safe and beneficial ingredients. Arbonne products are formulated to help people with sensitive skin conditions.

Five tips for promoting healthy skin

Rachel Black recommends the following to promote healthy skin.

1. Our bodies are made up of two thirds of water and we need replace the fluid we lose daily through exercise and daily life. Drinking plenty of water is essential for keeping you hydrated. Water flushes out toxins in our bodies.

2. Take time with a good skin care regime: cleansing, toning and moisturizing first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

3. Many people slack on sun care especially in the winter months as we don’t think we need it. However, skin damage from sunlight builds up with continued exposure, whether sunburn occurs or not. In the winter the sun is closer to the earth and its rays are even stronger. By using products with sun protection factor (SPF) you are preventing getting damaging ultra violet rays and protecting your skin.

4. Busy lifestyles can mean we become deficient in vitamins. Eating foods high in omega such as oily fish has been proven to be beneficial to the skin. Just increasing your intake of fruit and vegetables will help improve the condition of your skin.

5. Exercise is an overall booster, because it improves the blood circulation and pumps it to the surface of your skin. You may look sweaty and red but you are increasing your blood flow and helping to nourish skin cells to keep them vital!

http://www.arbonneinternational.co.uk/

If you would like further information on Arbonne products please contact Rachael Black Email: rachaelb924@hotmail.com

Find out how a water softener could benefit your family and home:

http://www.ecowater.co.uk/

World Water Day

World Water Day is coordinated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation – UNESCO for short.  At Ecowater we support the day without question. Access to clean, drinkable water should clearly be a basic necessity and available to everyone on the planet with the technology available in this day and age. To know that hundreds of people are dying every week because of the lack of clean drinking water is frankly obscene.

In December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2013 as the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation (Resolution A/RES/65/154). In reflection of this declaration, the 2013 World Water Day, which will take place on 22 March 2013, also will be dedicated to water cooperation. Therefore, UN-Water has called upon UNESCO to lead the 2013 United Nations International Year on Water Cooperation, in particular because of the Organization’s unique multidisciplinary approach which blends the natural and social sciences, education, culture and communication. Given the intrinsic nature of water as a transversal and universal element, the United Nations International Year on Water Cooperation naturally would embrace and touch upon all these aspects.

The objective of this International Year is to raise awareness, both on the potential for increased cooperation, and on the challenges facing water management in light of the increase in demand for water access, allocation and services. It also will provide an opportunity to capitalize on the momentum created at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), and to support the formulation of new objectives that will contribute towards developing water resources that are truly sustainable.

More information is available at www.unwater.org.

property. EcoWater has specifically developed a range of water softeners to suit every size of home and are designed for today’s modern plumbing systems. The robust design of EcoWater softeners can provide soft water into your home for 15 years or more.

In the latest EcoWater blog, we explain the benefits the average home owner will experience when using a water softener. Below are the seven benefits to using a domestic water softener:

1. Improve the efficiency of heaters and boiler

British Water state that just 1.6mm of limescale build-up in heating systems will cause a 12% overall loss in heating efficiency. In fact recent studies by the Water Quality Association in the USA, show hard water can lead to as much as a 24% loss of efficiency.   Using a water softener will improve the efficiency of hot water and heating systems by reducing the level of lime scale in the property’s plumbing system.  The Water Quality Association tests, using softened water with gas water heaters, proved they maintained their original factory efficiency rating over a 15-year lifetime

2. Reduce energy costs

The build-up of limescale can reduce energy efficiency by up to 20% in a hard water area. In domestic boilers the formation of limescale increases the amount of time to heat the water to the desired temperature and as a result, increases the overall electricity cost. Use our postcode checker to identify if you live in an area of hard water conditions.

3. Reducing health risks and improving skin conditions

The advantage of using soft water when compared to hard water is the added benefit to the skin. Skin washed in hard water is typically reported as feeling dry as a result of soap scum and hair is often reported as being dull-looking and sticky.  Soft water is known to sooth dry and flaky skin and is also much gentler on children’s skin. Our water softener owners report how softened water has improved skin conditions, such as eczema and preventing the skin from cracking. It even improves the comfort of shaving.

4. Maintains the health of appliances

Dishwashers and washing machines in particular benefit from a soft water supply, reducing the degradation of internal components. British Water, the trade association for the UK water industry, has calculated hard water used by an average family of 4 accumulates 70kg of limescale a year.

5. Reduces the amount of bathing and laundry product needed

Using softened water can reduce the amount of bathing and laundry products by up to 50%.  Soaps and shampoos will lather much better and leave skin and hair feeling cleaner and much smoother.

6. Kind to clothing and fabrics

Another benefit of soft water is that the laundry will feel softer reducing any irritation caused previously by hard water.   Hard water does not wash as well as soft water due to the deposits of magnesium and calcium present in a hard water supply. Items of clothing, bedding and sheets washed in hard water can feel rough to the touch and irritates the skin. The Purdue University study established that fabrics washed in hard water are prone to degrade as much as 15 per cent quicker than fabrics washed in soft water.

7. Saves money on domestic cleaning products

Cleaning bathrooms becomes much simpler with softened water.  Hard water leaves water spotting, streaking or a visible film.  Softened water leaves crockery sparkling clean.  There is no need to use harsh chemical cleaners to remove limescale from taps and shower heads, which means it’s kinder on the environment too.  In fact often all you need is just a wipe with a cloth.

EcoWater Systems is one of the world’s leading water softener manufacturers and has been manufacturing water softeners since 1925.  The steady growth of the water softener market worldwide is testimony to the importance of water treatment globally.  Water softening has increasing importance for the planet both for its energy saving capability and reduction of harmful chemicals in the waste water system.

Approximately 60% of the UK suffers from hard water. Hard water is the cause of limescale and occurs when rainwater picks-up minerals as it travels through soft rocks such as limestone and chalk. You can see if your area has hard water by going to our post code checker.

The World Health Organisation has concluded that there is no evidence that hard water is a health hazard. In fact some organisations believe drinking hard water can contribute a small amount of calcium and magnesium to the diet. However, limescale leaves unsightly deposits in the bathroom and kitchen, as well as reducing the effectiveness of plumbing and heating elements on boilers, washing machines etc. All of which can increase costs throughout the home: buying harsh cleaning products, using more product to improve lather, increased energy costs and appliance breakdowns.

How to remove limescale

There are some environmental friendly ways of removing existing limescale, without the need for harsh chemicals. White vinegar and lemon juice neutralize alkaline substances such as limescale.

Cleaning limescale from taps

- Soak a cloth in white vinegar and wrap around tap. Hold in place with an elastic band if required.  Leave for about any hour and then clean with a soft cloth.

- Make a paste with 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water. Apply paste to tap and leave for about an hour and wipe it clean.

Cleaning limescale from a kettle

- Fill kettle with equal parts of vinegar and water. Boil and then leave overnight. Thoroughly clean in the morning.

Removing limescale from under the waterline in the toilet bowl

- There is anecdotal evidence that pouring a bottle of coke into the bowl and leaving overnight will help to remove limescale

Removing limescale from shower cubicles

- Use an old spray bottle with diluted white vinegar.

Removing limescale from wall tiles

- Try diluted solution of soda crystals. Do not use soda crystals on lacquered taps and fittings.

Eradicating limescale for good

Many people are now deciding to improve the quality of the water in their home. Drinking water can be filtered for better tasting water but retain the water’s minerals. The rest of the home can receive much improved soft water.

The only effective water treatment product that will actually remove the limescale from the water is an ion-exchange water softener.

See how a water softener can improve the water in your home

What is hard water?

60% of the UK suffers with abrasive hard water. Water has picked up minerals as it travels through the ground and it is the calcium and magnesium in the water that causes limescale. As in the above case it is easy to see the affects limescale has around the home, but what you don’t see is its affects on plumbing and water using appliances such as hot water tank and washing machine.

What does a water softener do?

Only an ion-exchange or salt-based water softener will actually remove the calcium and magnesium (limescale) from the water. It does this by using an ion-exchange process that extracts the calcium and magnesium from the water replacing it with a small amount of sodium. The results are amazing, which is why people who have chosen this type of water softener never want to go back to hard water. Only ion-exchange water softeners extract the limescale from the water to give you softened water.

Not only does the water softener stop the build up of limescale the water feels totally different. Soft water needs much less product to lather – probably up to 50% less and it leaves skin and hair feeling soft and silky.

How do water softeners save money?

When working on a renovation project in a hard water area consideration to water treatment can in the end save money:

• Energy saving because without the build up of scale on heating elements you can save up to 20% in energy bills

• Maintenance of water using appliances can reduce without limescale build up

• Up to 50% less bathing and laundry products are required

• No more harsh limescale removing products – which is kinder on the planet too!

Always consider a good quality water softener, that is both efficient and reliable and that will give you many years of service to keep your home looking brand new. As long as it is specified correctly, a good water softener needs very little attention.

EcoWater’s expert team can help you every step of the way. If you are considering a renovation project just give us a call and we will be happy to advise you on your water softening requirements: tel . 0800 052 1120.

See our domestic range of water softeners.

An EcoWater water softener creates luxurious soft water for your home. When you turn on a tap, washing machine or dishwasher etc, water coming into your home flows through the water softener, which extracts the limescale from the water giving you lovely soft water throughout the home.

Recommended steps to buying an EcoWater water softener

Our expert team are available to help you every step of the way.  You can call us on 0800 052 1120 for help and advice.

1. Which size water softener will be right for your home?

A water softener with a capacity suitable for your home’s water use, will be more efficient and last longer. At EcoWater we recommend a model based on the correct capacity, because we know that you want a water softener that is going to be easy to use, reliable and efficient.

Call our experts (0800 052 1120) who can advise you, based on the size of your home and number of people in your home, which water softener will be right for you.

You can use this link to see our domestic water softener product range and suggested sizing:  domestic water softener range.

Click here for an email quick quote.

2.  Site survey

The next step is for an EcoWater water softener engineer to check your home’s plumbing system and discuss where best to site your water softener. This is a free, no obligation service at a time convenient to you.

EcoWater employs local engineers based in the major hard water areas. See our list of areas covered below.

After the site survey we can give you a fixed price quotation, so there are no unwelcome surprises.

3.  Installation

When you are ready, you can call EcoWater to book your engineer to come back to install your water softener. Depending on the work involved this can take approximately half a day.

If you are having work done in your home, you may find it more convenient for us to just to supply the water softener and your plumber can easily install the water softener for you.

4.   After sales

Our service doesn’t stop once we have sold and installed the water softener.  Your local EcoWater engineer is at hand to look after your softener for years to come, giving you complete peace of mind that each drop of soft water is as good as the first.

EcoWater has your local area covered:

Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, Dorset, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, London, Norfolk, Northants, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire

You can see our full range of domestic water softeners at www.ecowater.co.uk

Owners of large homes in hard water areas are realising that a water softener, unlike any other water treatment device, not only protects their homes from abrasive hard water, soft water is fantastic for bathing and laundry. In fact, in 2012, EcoWater sales of large water softeners has doubled!

An EcoWater softener automatically creates soft water. When taps, shower etc are turned on , mains water passes through the water softener, which extracts the limescale from the water. The clever intelligence of an EcoWater softener means there is nothing else to do but occasionally top it up with tablet salt. This is required for the water softener’s a self-cleaning process (regeneration). The water softener will periodically automatically create a salt solution which flushes the limescale deposits to drain.

All our water softeners have a display with information at your fingertips. Our high demand range comes with a standard remote control.  You’ll be able to see exactly what the softener is doing and when it needs to be topped up with tablet salt. It couldn’t be easier.

With the back-up of EcoWater’s experts and team of engineers throughout England, we are here to care and look after your soft water needs for years to come.

If you would like a quotation or have any questions about our high flow water softeners call our team on

tel:  0800 052 1120.

Details of our high flow water softeners can be found at http://www.ecowater.co.uk/domestic-water-softeners/high-demand-water-softener/.

Research undertaken in America has shown eliminating limescale from the home can save up to 20% on energy bills.

A water softener eliminates limescale from the home’s water and in fact is one of the best energy saving devices you can buy. If you want to know how a water softener could benefit your home call 0800 052 1120 or you can see our product range at www.ecowater.co.uk.

Our 10 energy saving tips:

1. Approximately 10% of UK household energy is used by appliances in standby.  Turning off lights and appliances can save around £40 a year.
2. Lighting accounts for 10% to 15% of the electricity bill.  Energy saving bulbs can save about 80% of the energy used by normal bulbs.  If you replace a 50W halogen downlighter with a 6W LED you will typically save around £4 per year, or £70 by the time you have to replace the bulb.
3. 90% of the energy used by a washing a machine is used to heat water.
4. Lowering the thermostat by 1.5°C can save up to 10% on heating bills.
5. Using an eco-shower head which will use less water can save around £72 a year on water heating.
6. Draught proofing your home can save up to £90 a year.
7. Installing loft insulation can save up to £175 a year
8. The optimum temperature for a fridge is 3c to 5c, a freezer works best at – 18c. Both appliances function more efficiently if they are kept full and regularly defrosted.
9. Only boil the water in the kettle that you need
10. If you have an old hot water tank, putting a new, 75mm thick jacket on your hot water cylinder could save you around £40 per year.

EcoWater Systems

www.ecowater.co.uk

Resources

http://energysavingtrust.org.uk/

http://www.nigelsecostore.com