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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is hard water and why is it a problem?
Hard water is caused by diverse means, mainly the presence of too much
calcium. In reality calcium is good for us. It contributes to our
overall health, especially our bones (many health products boast about
their calcium content).
In a water system however, it can cause costly problems. It crystallises
and adheres to surfaces e.g. supply pipes, plumbing, washing machines,
dishwashers, kettles, and worst of all, the hot water tank (heating the
water precipitates the build up of scale).
Overall the result is a build up of limescale inside your system which
you do not see, but which will cause problems that are costly to put
right. People with sensitive skin are prone to discomfort by the
presence of untreated limescale.
The unique imp system has been proven to deal with the problems of
limescale (98% success) whilst retaining the health supporting calcium
in the system.
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This FAQ is designed to answer the questions that previous customers have asked us in the past. If you have any questions regarding either hard water or our products then please read through this page. If, however, your question is not answered here, then please feel free to contact us at the details given at the bottom of this page. We have broken the FAQ down into 5 sections:
- General Hard Water Related Questions
- Ordering / Delivery
- Installation / Usage
- Unit Diagnostics
- Further Information / How to contact us
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| GENERAL HARD WATER RELATED QUESTIONS� |
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I live in a hard water area, what are my options? |
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You have four main options:
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Do nothing and face the consequences; Increased costs in domestic water
heating, early breakdown of your boiler, your hot tank, washing
machine, dishwasher and other appliances, blocked showers, need for
extra detergents, skin discomfort, tough on baby's skin.
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| 2. |
Purchase and install a complete traditional water softener, costs up to �2500
($4000) + installation. Needs a constant supply of salt, which can cost
as much as �200 ($300) per annum + running costs. Has to be maintained.
Requires a lot of space. Usually needs a separate tap for drinking
water.
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| 3. |
Use an electronic water conditioner from the Water Imp range. DIY
INSTALLATION, NO PLUMBING, NO FUSS. Smaller than a box of chocolates.
Prevents limescale formation, breaks down existing limescale. NO
MAINTAINANCE. Running costs less than �3 ($5) per annum.
Environmentally friendly.
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Spend a fortune on detergents - still wouldn't solve limescale in pipes. |
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I've got Sulphur, rust, discolouration or funny bits in my water will the Water Imp help? |
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Our units deal specifically with calcium but as calcium is a carrier there
may be an effect on other elements in your water. As water is so
capricious we can't make any specific promises about this except to say
that we have had positive feedback from users who suffered with these
problems and that you can always try one of our units and return it for a full
refund if it doesn't work for you within 190 days.
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How long have you been in business? |
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Water Improvements Limited is a well established leader in the UK water
treatment market. We have been in business 15 years now and have
successful on and off line businesses. Our customer retention rate is
98% and has remained steady over the fifteen years we have been in
business.
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I have a power supply with special requirements will your unit work in my country? |
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We have extensive experience with power supplies and your unit will always
be shipped with the correct supply. If we are unsure, and have never sent
a unit to your country we may write to you before shipping for further
information. We have shipped to over 50 countries throughout the world
including the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, and
many others so you can be sure our unit will work in your power sockets.
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I have seen more expensive units than the Water Imp. Why is yours cheaper? |
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We have stable production. We follow simple tenets of fulfillment and respect our purchasers. (The CEO does not have a yacht!) |
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Do I need more than one unit? |
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Normally one of our units (according to which type) is sufficient to cover all
water entering your house. If after fitting, you find the hot water is
precipitating then you can fit a second unit on the feed from the hot
tank. This is rarely needed with our units, except in areas of
extremely hard water. Just pick the right size unit for your house. |
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Effectiveness |
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For 15 years we have not had a lower customer retention rate than 98%. Even
so, water is capricious. Water companies often change their source of
water due to a range of reasons including unexpected demand, floods, natural disasters, our 190 day full
money back guarantee covers these problems.
Our units are not
softeners. They are conditioners. Conditioners protect your equipment -
boiler, hot tank, valves, dishwasher and washing machines. They make
the water more user friendly by improving the quality of laundry. Give
a gentler feel for personal use and they often help people's tender
skin. |
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Why do I need an electronic water conditioner? |
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If you live in a hard water area, limescale will build up in your water
system, blocking pipes, reducing the efficiency of your boiler and hot
tank. This increases the cost of domestic water heating, often by as
much as 15-25%. Limescale build up may also cause the early replacement
of your boiler and/or hot tank.
Electronic water conditioners contribute to the improved working, and longer lifespan of, solar heating systems, air conditioning units and many other water based applications where valves, filters & control units are used.
If you would like to see an animation of how our device works, then please click here
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Does conditioned water help people with eczema or sensitive skin? |
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We cannot make medical claims but we have experience of cases where such people have benefited. |
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Is the treated water fit to drink? |
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Yes, no chemicals are used and calcium in the water is good for you. |
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Does water conditioning remove existing limescale build-up? |
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Yes, water conditioning remedies Limescale problems quickly where the build-up is not too serious. Slowly where
the build up is heavy. But it is almost impossible if the pipes are so
blocked that the flow of water is totally constricted.
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Do you have any International agents/distributors? |
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We ship direct to North America, Europe and indeed anywhere overseas from
our main offices in the United Kingdom. Sales and Support is dealt with
through our website, by email and by phone.
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How much does delivery cost? |
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Delivery is free to anywhere in the world! |
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How long will delivery take? |
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Normally units are dispatched within two days of receipt of order. Delivery in
the UK is 5-7 working days from the receipt of your order.
International orders should be delivered within 7-10 working days by
airmail.
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The price on my credit card is different to the price shown |
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We charge for all our units in pounds sterling (�). Some days the rate of
exchange for the US dollar varies. Sometimes your credit card company
adds its own special charges. Our price remains fixed.
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| �INSTALLATION AND USAGE QUESTIONS� | |
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| Will the device work with my country's power supply? |
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we send out your device, we will include the correct power unit for
your country, so for instance US orders will receive 110 V 60hz power
unit whereas UK orders will receive a 240V power unit. |
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| What is the expected life time of the unit? |
| The unit is guaranteed for 5 years, the average life expectancy is at least 10 years. |
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| Where is the unit best fitted? |
| On the rising main i.e. where the main water enters the house, where the main stop cock is. |
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| Can it be fitted on any kind of pipe? |
| It can be fitted on copper, iron, plastic or galvanised. |
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| The illustration shows the unit fitted on a horizontal pipe, but can it be fitted on a vertical pipe? |
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Yes, it can be fitted on either. |
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| What maintenance is required? |
| None. Fit it, switch it on, and forget about it. No fuss. |
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| How much space is needed for the aerial (the white cable)? |
| Approx 2" (5 cm) |
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| Is any plumbing required? |
| No, there is no plumbing whatsoever. |
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| Is it difficult to install? |
| No, this is a genuine DIY job, and takes about 20 minutes. |
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| How long is the power cable? |
| 1.8 metres (about 6ft) |
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| Supposing my power point is further away than 6 feet? |
| You can order an extension lead from our order page, 2 metres in length & specially made for this purpose. |
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| Is it something you install in the inlet pipe and it softens all the water that flows into the home or does the whole pipe system in the home has to be reinstalled? |
| Yes it's installed on the inlet pipe and the whole system does not need to be replaced. |
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| How long does the water remain conditioned for after passing through the unit? |
| Approximately 7 days |
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| Is the water softening effect still to be expected if I install the Imp around the water main pipe leading to the roof tank, or is it necessary to install the Imp around the pipe going from the roof tank to the house? |
| You should install it on the pipe where the water comes into the house which should feed both the kitchen and the tank in the roof. |
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| When I arrive home i am greeted with a smell of sulphur due to the amount of iron and magnesium in my water? Can your unit help me? |
| We do not believe that our units will remove the smell of sulphur. |
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| With the extension cable you provide, is this a 2m extension to the already 1.8m ? and if so can you add multiple extensions up to a certain length ? |
| Yes it is an extension to the 1.8 m, and you can add as many as you like. |
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| You claim that putting a single water imp unit at the water main entrance of a small 4 bedroom house's water system will clear lime scale in all the pipes throughout the house's water system, including at taps and shower roses and within electric water heaters? |
| Yes, although how hard the water is and how old the pipes are will affect the time it takes to remove the existing build up. |
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| Can I fit 'The Elf' in either a vertical or horizontal position? |
| Yes it can be fitted in any position |
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| What is your lead time on UK orders? |
| We normally deliver from stock and allow 2-3 working days from receipt of payment |
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| What is the degree of water hardness the unit would be capable of treating, on average. |
| We don't have any specific figures for this but we have had successes all over the world with varying degrees of hardness |
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| Are you saying that if I install your Water Imp I won't have to use my water softener? |
| Yes, although the effect from our unit will not be the same as when you have just topped up the salt in your softener. Our units work constantly at the same level. |
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| How will I know my unit is working? |
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You
will see the green LED lights moving in a sequence. This sequence
varies, from fast to slow. If the LED light does not move, switch the
unit off, count to 10, then switch it on again. If they still do not move
then please phone or email us for advice or a replacement. |
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| Should the unit be left on at all times? |
| Yes, ALWAYS. |
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| Do the units interfere with HiFi or other kinds of equipment? |
| No. Our experiences show this does not happen. |
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| �FURTHER INFORMATION / CONTACT US� | |
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| Where can I get more advice? |
| If your questions are not answered in this FAQ then email us and we will be able to advise you. |
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| Alternatively you can phone us on the following numbers: |
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| If calling from the UK dial 01252 511882 |
| If calling from anywhere else dial +44 1252 511882 |
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| Or write to us at: |
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| Water Improvements Limited
Shieling House
Invincible Road
Farnborough
Hampshire
GU14 7QU
United Kingdom |
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| Remember to mention you found us on the web, we look forward to hearing from you. |
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| Summary |
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Imp electronic units are not magic boxes. They are specifically designed to
alter the nature of calcium in water so that it cannot coagulate. This
protects your home equipment and hot water tank, while also
benefiting your domestic equipment, washing machine, dishwasher, kettle
and coffee maker.
Water is capricious and is different in almost
every supply. This is why we offer a 190 day guarantee period. Instead
of speculating this helps users to determine if the unit they buy is
suitable for their water supply.
98% success over 15 years must
surely suggest it's worth trying in your home. Many customers tell us
that they notice the benefits that our water conditioning systems provide after only 3 days of use. Others buy a second
and third unit within 6 months, others tell their friends and families.
See what some of our customers think by clicking here. |
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