Boiler Heating Element - Hard & Soft Water

[joko]

im looking to buy a new heating element with thermostat for my boiler

online ive found one that says its for hard water

does that just mean its ideal for hard water - or that its only for hard water?

the water in my area is medium soft, but reportsd also say its medium hard, so its somewhere in the middle

would it be ok for my area?

thanks :)

[The Builder]

That's a good question, joko.
I've never come across this dilemma. Since you are "medium", I would be tempted to say go ahead.

If you're worried, then I would suggest tracking down an element suitable for soft water, to be sure.

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Copper-Cylinder-Immersion-Heating-Element---27in/p/159846#

[bhg481]

I suspect it's artificially softened water they're talking about, as produced by a domestic water softener; it's not quite the same as natural soft water.
The manufacturer of the element should confirm it.

[Atheist]

joko; do you mean a heating element for your hot water cylinder, or for your boiler (i.e. a combi boiler?)

[TonyV]

Also your local water supplier tell you the hardness of the water in your area, so you can make an informed decision

[joko]

thanks all

tony, i checked with the water board it said med soft, but with some part med hard ... and my city is hard water so its a bit confusing.

atheist - i mean a big copper tank in a cupboard, so i assume thats the cylinder? its an old house.

[TonyV]

joko I'd buy one for hard water then.

[joko]

thank tony, do you know what the difference is? what does it do diffently?

[TonyV]

It's to do with materials they are made from to improve resistance to corrosion. This article may help if you scroll down a bit, will be adds at the top.

hard and soft water immersion heater

[TonyV]

Sorry joke Cannot get a link that works, but if you google immersion heater, you will see what's on the market, just remember you normally need a purpose made spanner (large) to take out the old one and reinstall new one. Are you certain you do need a new one? If you take cover of you will find a reset button, might be worth a try.

[TonyV]

So many different types on the market, you really need to take old one out to see what lenght you need. Are you competent with workingn

[TonyV]

^^^ compenent with working with electrics?

[Atheist]

Are you sure you need a new element? Could it be a thermostat problem?

[joko]

thanks all , yes ive done it before, i replaced this one years ago myself, it wasnt new at the time, my dad had it spare. it was pretty easy to connect up - i dont recall using a special spanner, as i dont have one, i pron just used a wrench. but i see theyre only about £3 on ebay

im going to replace the whole thing, the element with the thermostat too.

do you mean i might be able to just replace another piece instead? the bit the the controls on?