If you are concerned about the corrosion of your aluminium heat exchanger in your central heating boiler that has been filled with softened water, you needn’t be. Please read below for a summary or see the documents on the documents page.
The reason for the confusion is that there is a complete misunderstanding and mixup in the market place between the boiler manufacturers, the corrosion inhibitor manufacturers, the industry certifiers and the domestic water softening industry. They are currently trying to get their act together to clarify the situation.
Meanwhile, here is what you need to know.
There is no evidence from the field that any aluminium heat exchanger has been corroded by the use of softened water. (If you know of one or can find one, please let us know, we would be fascinated to see it).
We have sold hundreds of thousands of water softeners and have never experienced the problem.
All central heating systems should be protected by the use of an inhibitor which is designed for the purpose.
The current British Standard BS 7595:2006 categorically states that you can use softened water with the correct type of inhibitor.
There is an inhibitor on the market specifically designed to work with softened water: Sentinel X100.
So the common sense position is this. Use softened water in your central heating system and enjoy the benefits it provides. Use Sentinel X100 as your corrosion inhibitor. You can download a letter from me guaranteeing your aluminium heat exchanger if you have one of my water softeners installed. Harvey’s letter of guarantee.
If you want to top up or refill your system
If you want to top up or refill your system, click here for our professionals page.