Instructions for Whole of House Filter with Scale Reduction
Instructions for Whole of House Filter with Scale Reduction
For Product Codes: WH16COMB3 · WH32COMB3 · WH16SC3 · WH32SC3
Dear Customer,
Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to a new experience in scale reduction and whole house filtration.
Your new Scale Centurion system provides protection from scale formation throughout your home. It can be installed at the point of entry to treat your entire home, both hot and cold water, or can be located directly before a water heater or other device (e.g. sauna, etc.) that requires protection from hard water.
Scale Centurion reduces or eliminates scale formation on internal and external plumbing surfaces as well as reducing spotting and streaking normally associated with hard water.
The system is complete, self-contained, loaded with media and ready to use. A straightforward inlet and outlet connection is all that is required for installation. We recommend using a professional plumber to install the system. It should take them between one and two hours depending on how much pipe work needs to be altered.
Please Note
- Each unit is designed to work with a maximum / peak flow rate (WH16 codes indicate this is 16 litres per minute, WH32 codes 32 litres per minute). If you exceed the nominated rate for your model, while it won't break the filter, it will simply not work properly. So if you haven't done so already, please do a flow rate check in your property before going to the expense of hiring a plumber. You can see a guide to finding your flow rate on our website (see Help / Guides).
- Fitting a standard by-pass is highly recommended so that the unit can be isolated later for cartridge changing or to prolong the life of the filter when not required, e.g. if watering the garden. Any installer should do this as standard, but you might want to check with them.
- If you don't already have one, insist that your plumber fits a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) to protect the unit from unexpected water pressure increase. This is very rare but does happen – owing to overnight water utility works etc. – and can result in failure / possible flooding. For example, the Watts 2282500 costs about £15.
- If fitting outside the property, insulate the system to avoid frost damage. (The unit should not freeze.)
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“Running in” the unit. We make it clear to your plumber in the instructions below that they remove the Scale Centurion cartridge, leave it beside the system and run water through the empty housing for six weeks. This is to avoid any residual metals in the upstream pipes from destroying the Scale Centurion anti-scale media (turning it bluey / green). If this happens, you would have to buy fresh media. (We tell the plumber, below, that given our clear warnings about this, they would be liable – but don't worry, if it comes to it, we will give you a good discount.)
After six weeks you simply re-insert the Scale Centurion cartridge. (This is a simple DIY job. We tell the plumber to show you how – see below*. You shouldn't have to call the plumber back.)
This does not affect your filter cartridge (the one on the left – assuming you have a combination unit, i.e. the WH16COMB3 or WH32COMB3). So you can enjoy the benefits of that filter during the six-week wait.
- If you are fitting a double unit etc. you must fit them in parallel (not in series).
How Scale Centurion Works
Scale Centurion prevents scale by transforming the normal dissolved hardness minerals into undissolved crystal micro-particles. These crystals stay suspended in the water and have a greatly reduced ability to react and attach to surfaces like dissolved hardness does. Therefore the problem of internal build-up of scale in pipes, water heaters and on fixtures and glass is greatly reduced.
Please note that Scale Centurion is not technically a water softener. Unlike salt-softened water, Scale Centurion treated water maintains the beneficial essential mineral content of your water and is safe to drink.
Low or phosphate-free cleaning products are recommended to achieve optimum results. Modern surfactant or detergent based liquid soaps are preferred over old-fashioned caustic solid soaps.
Scale Centurion Benefits
- Chemical-free scale prevention. Cost savings and environmental benefits.
- Virtually maintenance free. No salt bags or other chemicals to buy, transport and store.
- No electricity, no wastewater, completely self-contained.
- Beneficial minerals retained for more healthful drinking water.
- Improves the efficiency of water-using appliances.
- Simple installation – no electrical and drain hookup.
- Safe for landscaping and lawn watering. No need for costly bypass plumbing.
- Compatible with all on-site and community wastewater treatment systems.
- Not subject to water softener restrictions and “bans”.
What to Expect
Your Scale Centurion system will improve the properties of water throughout your home. Here are some things to expect and some recommendations for maximising the benefits of Scale Centurion.
Sinks and fixtures – reduced spotting. If water is allowed to evaporate off a surface, small spots may be left behind. If wiped off frequently, the spotting should not require any more than a wet cloth or sponge to remove. No harsh chemical should be required as with typical hard water spotting.
Dishwasher – spotting on dishes and on the surface of the dishwasher should be greatly reduced. We recommend that you immediately reduce the amount of dishwashing detergent by approximately 50% as compared to hard water use. Dishwashing detergents low in phosphates are highly recommended as they are better for the environment and phosphates can cause spotting. The use of a rinse aid may be advised.
Shower doors and tiles – should have reduced spotting. When water evaporates off a surface, small spots may be left behind. These spots should be easy to remove with a damp cloth or sponge. In very hard water areas, treating the shower glass with Rain-X 2 in 1 glass cleaner, or equivalent, will further reduce cleaning requirements.
In the bath you should notice that soaps and shampoos lather more than with untreated water. Soaps and shampoos will also rinse off much easier and faster than they would with traditional soft water. We recommend the use of modern soaps for the best results.
Things to watch for during the first 30–90 days
- Faucet / tap aerators and drains may plug occasionally as old scale is removed from your plumbing system and water heater.
- You may also see milky water while the descaling is taking place. This is simply an increase in the calcium in the water because Scale Centurion is removing old scale deposits from your pipes. It is perfectly safe.
Good practices
If your dishwasher is severely coated with scale at the time of installation, we recommend that you purchase a good dishwasher cleaner to accelerate the cleaning. After this initial cleaning Scale Centurion should keep it clean.
We also recommend that you drain your water heater tank 30 to 60 days after Scale Centurion is installed, and again in one year. This is a good practice that can dramatically increase the life of your water heating appliance. If you have an electric “tank type” water heater, for optimum results and higher efficiency, we recommend you change the heating elements to a “low watt density” model.
Please ensure that the watt density is specified at less than 70 watts per square inch, and is compatible with the brand you own. If you can only change one heating element, change the lower unit, which operates most of the time.
Scale Centurion will help keep the tank and heating elements free of scale and operating at peak efficiency. Please follow the manufacturer's instructions when draining or servicing the tank!
Future Cartridge Renewals
| Model | Cartridge | Change every | Re-order code |
|---|---|---|---|
| WH16COMB3 | Filter cartridge | 12 months | FIL16C |
| Scale Centurion cartridge | 24 months | SC16C | |
| WH32COMB3 | Filter cartridge | 12 months | FIL32C |
| Scale Centurion cartridge | 24 months | SC32C | |
| WH16SC3 | Scale Centurion cartridge | 24 months | SC16S |
| WH32SC3 | Scale Centurion cartridge | 24 months | SC32S |
*Notes for the Plumber*
Please read the customer information above.
Essential points
- A system bypass valve should be installed on every system to facilitate installation.
- “Running in the system” – understand the important note about this below.
- You must ensure a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) is fitted to protect the unit from unexpected water pressure increase.
What you need: a bypass, a PRV and connections to the 1 inch BSP ports.
The filter ports are one inch BSP. Do not use tapered males.
When attaching the pipe connectors we strongly recommend using liquid sealant such as Loctite 577. If you must use PTFE tape do not overdo it. Use no more than 10 complete wraps of PTFE tape. (While the brass screw thread is robust, if over-forced it might crack.)
The water enters the filter on the left-hand side.
The Scale Centurion system differs from a conventional softener or media filter in a number of key respects. The system is light and only partially filled with media. This is normal. The up-flow operation of the system requires a lot of freeboard (i.e. space in the cartridge above the media / powder) to allow the bed to fully fluidise.
Positioning
Make sure the system is level. Because the system operates in an up-flow, fluidised bed mode, having a level surface is more important than with a softener or media filter.
When positioning the unit allow enough space underneath for cartridge changes. You can remove or adjust the top metal bracket if necessary, but take care that it doesn't lead to undue stress on the unit.
Where possible, leave enough space to retro-fit a “20 inch unit” in case the customer wants to upgrade later. (Total size of a 20 inch unit – including the same head and bracket as you have now – is 26.96 inches / 68.5cm, compared to the current unit, i.e. 17 inches / 43.2cm.) The customer would simply need to screw the 20 inch bottom bowl into the existing head that you've fitted.
Do not let the system freeze.
Important: close housing correctly
The unit must be closed fully or it might leak – sooner or later. The lower white bowls screw up to the head and must click-lock closed – note the red lock.
You can get fairly close to this gap by screwing it by hand. Then use the wrench to give it a final tightening. But if you need to use a lot of force with the wrench to achieve that 2mm / 3mm then there is a problem. Check the following:
- The cartridge (that sits inside the housing) must be closed properly, e.g. in cartridges where a slot joins the lid to the lower housing, these must be slotted correctly. (This is very simple to do.)
- Cartridges which screw-tighten must be fully screwed up.
- The small rubber ring / gasket that sits on top of the cartridge must be seated correctly in its recess / ring.
- You can test by simulating the assembly of the white sump to the head: (i) insert the cartridge in the white sump, (ii) simulate the final tightening position. The system must be able to close without problems.
Running in the system
The Scale Centurion cartridge must be placed outside the housing for 6 weeks WHILE running water through the empty housing.
After 6 weeks re-insert the Scale Centurion cartridge. (This is a simple job which your client could do themselves.) **Show them how to do it.
Meanwhile, if you have a combi / twin unit you can leave the 12 month filter cartridge inside the housing, i.e. the one on the left. So the client will immediately enjoy the benefits of that filter as it purifies all the water throughout their property.
If using Scale Centurion with other water treatment equipment
Scale Centurion must be the last stage in the treatment chain. Do not install any filters after Scale Centurion or before any devices for which scale prevention is required. Point of use filters, e.g. carbon or reverse osmosis filters, are exempt from this requirement.
Caution!
Please ensure the housing unit(s) remain in a vertical position while screwing on the top. Otherwise the loose cartridge inside might misalign and be damaged. This damage will void the warranty for the filter cartridge(s).
Do not apply phosphate or any other antiscalant either before or after Scale Centurion.
Iron and manganese: Just as with conventional water softening media, Scale Centurion needs to be protected from excess levels of certain metals that can easily coat the active surface, reducing its effectiveness over time. Public water supplies rarely, if ever, present a problem, but if the water supply is from a private well then confirm that the levels of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) are less than 0.3 mg/L and 0.05 mg/L respectively. Copper should be less than 1.3 mg/L.
Commissioning the unit
Once the unit is ready – i.e. the pipework is completed and hoses attached etc. – you need to flush the system without the anti-scale cartridge, as per above.
Some noise will be heard during the flushings.
Check for any leaks. Run the cold water tap nearest to the filter for 5 minutes to release any trapped air. Repeat this process with all other cold water taps in the property and flush any toilets once.
Once the unit is ready – i.e. the pipework is completed and flexible hoses attached etc. – you need to flush the system without the anti-scale cartridge. (This is in the second, right-side housing / last on the line.) Simply remove the anti-scale cartridge and carefully let the water enter the filters. Once the water is running clear, install the anti-scale cartridge and flush again for 2 minutes. Some noise will be heard during the flushings.
Check for any leaks. Run the cold water tap nearest to the filter for 5 minutes to release any trapped air. Repeat this process with all other cold water taps in the property and flush any toilets once.
Specifications
| Inlet / outlet connection | 1 inch BSP straight |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 40° – 110°F |
| pH | 6.5 to 8.5 |
| Ferrous iron, max* | 0.3 mg/L |
| Manganese, max* | 0.05 mg/L |
| Copper, max* | 1.3 mg/L |
| Water pressure | 15 min., 100 max (PSI) |
Helpline: 020 8761 6611
