Whole House Water Filter with Salt-Free Scale Reduction – Standard Home

Product Codes: WH16COMB

Dear Customer

Congratulations on your purchase, and welcome to a new experience in scale reduction and whole house filtration.

Your new Scale Centurion system protects your whole home from scale. It can be installed at the point of entry to treat your entire home, both hot and cold water, or directly before a water heater or other device (eg a sauna) that needs protecting from hard water.

Scale Centurion reduces or eliminates scale on internal and external plumbing surfaces, and reduces the spotting and streaking normally caused by hard water.

The system is complete, self-contained, loaded with media and ready to use. A straightforward inlet and outlet connection is all that's needed. We recommend using a professional plumber to install it. It should take them one to two hours, depending on how much pipework needs altering.

Please Note

1) Check your flow rate first. Each unit is designed for a maximum / peak flow rate: 16 litres per minute for WH16 codes and 32 litres per minute for WH32 codes. If you go over the rate for your model it won't break the filter, but it won't work properly. So please do a flow rate check in your property before going to the expense of hiring a plumber. See our guide: Finding your water flow rate.

2) Fit a by-pass. A standard by-pass is highly recommended, so the unit can be isolated later for cartridge changes, or to save the filter's life when it isn't needed, eg when watering the garden. Any installer should do this as standard, but you may want to check with them.

3) Fit a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV). If you don't already have one, insist that your plumber fits a PRV to protect the unit from an unexpected rise in water pressure. This is very rare, but it does happen (eg because of overnight water utility works) and can cause failure or possible flooding. For example, the Watts 2282500 costs about £15.

4) Fitting outside? If the unit is fitted outside the property, insulate it to avoid frost damage. The unit must not freeze.

5) "Running in" the unit. In the plumber's instructions below, we make it clear that they must remove the Scale Centurion cartridge, leave it beside the system, and run water through the empty housing for six weeks. This stops any residual metals in the upstream pipes from destroying the Scale Centurion anti-scale media (turning it bluey-green). If that happens, you would have to buy fresh media. (Given our clear warnings, we tell the plumber they would be liable. But don't worry: if it comes to it, we will give you a good discount.)

After six weeks, simply re-insert the Scale Centurion cartridge. This is a simple DIY job, and we tell the plumber to show you how (see Running In the System), so you shouldn't need to call them back.

This doesn't affect your filter cartridge (the one on the left, if you have a combination unit, ie the WH16COMB or WH32COMB). So you can enjoy the benefits of that filter during the six-week wait.

6) Fitting a double unit? If you're fitting a double unit etc, you must fit them in parallel (not in series).

How It Works

Scale Centurion prevents scale by turning the normal dissolved hardness minerals into undissolved crystal micro-particles. These crystals stay suspended in the water and are far less able to react with and stick to surfaces than dissolved hardness is. So scale build-up inside pipes and 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 keeps the beneficial minerals in your water and is safe to drink.

Low or phosphate-free cleaning products are recommended for the best results. Modern surfactant or detergent-based liquid soaps are better than old-fashioned caustic solid soaps.

Scale Centurion Benefits

• Chemical-free scale prevention, with 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 healthier drinking water.
• Improves the efficiency of water-using appliances.
• Simple installation, with no electrical or drain hookup.
• Safe for landscaping and lawn watering, with no need for costly bypass plumbing.
• Compatible with all on-site and community wastewater treatment systems.
• Not subject to water softener restrictions and "bans".

Your Scale Centurion system will improve your water throughout your home. Here's what to expect, and how to get the most from it.

Sinks and fixtures: reduced spotting. If water is left to evaporate off a surface, small spots may be left behind. If wiped off regularly, they should need nothing more than a wet cloth or sponge to remove. You shouldn't need harsh chemicals, as you do with typical hard water spotting.

Dishwasher: spotting on dishes and on the dishwasher should be greatly reduced. We recommend you straight away reduce your dishwasher detergent by about 50% compared with hard water use. Low-phosphate detergents are highly recommended, as they're better for the environment and phosphates can cause spotting. A rinse aid may help.

Shower doors and tiles: reduced spotting. When water evaporates off a surface, small spots may be left behind. These 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 similar, will cut cleaning down even further.

In the bath you should notice that soaps and shampoos lather more than with untreated water. They'll also rinse off much more easily and quickly than with traditional softened water. We recommend modern soaps for the best results.

Things to Watch For During the First 30–90 Days

• Tap aerators and drains may block occasionally as old scale is removed from your plumbing and water heater.
• You may also see milky water while the descaling takes place. This is simply extra calcium in the water as Scale Centurion removes old scale deposits from your pipes. It is perfectly safe.

Good Practices

If your dishwasher is badly coated with scale when the system is installed, we recommend a good dishwasher cleaner to speed up the cleaning. After that, Scale Centurion should keep it clean.

We also recommend you drain your water heater tank 30 to 60 days after Scale Centurion is installed, and again after one year. This is good practice and can greatly increase the life of your water heater. If you have an electric "tank type" water heater, for the best results and efficiency we recommend changing the heating elements to a "low watt density" model.

Make sure the watt density is less than 70 watts per square inch and is compatible with your brand. If you can only change one heating element, change the lower one, which runs most of the time.

Scale Centurion will help keep the tank and heating elements free of scale and running at peak efficiency. Please follow the manufacturer's instructions when draining or servicing the tank.

Cartridge Changes

• Water Filter cartridge: change every 1 year. Re-order code FIL16C or FIL32C.
• Scale Centurion cartridge: change every 2 years. Re-order code SC16C or SC32C.

Notes for the Plumber

Please read the customer information above.

Essential points:

1. A system bypass valve should be installed on every system, to make installation and servicing easier.
2. "Running in" the system. Please read the important note about this in Running In the System below.
3. You must make sure a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) is fitted, to protect the unit from an unexpected rise in water pressure.

What you need: a bypass, a PRV, and connections to the 1 inch BSP ports.

The filter ports are 1 inch BSP. Do not use tapered males.

When attaching the pipe connectors, we strongly recommend a liquid sealant such as Loctite 577. If you must use PTFE tape, don't overdo it: use no more than 10 complete wraps. (The brass screw thread is robust, but it might crack if over-forced.)

The water enters the filter on the left-hand side.

The Scale Centurion system differs from a conventional softener or media filter in several key ways. The system is light and only partially filled with media. This is normal. Its up-flow operation needs a lot of freeboard (space in the cartridge above the media / powder) so the bed can fully fluidise.

Positioning

Make sure the system is level. Because the system works in an up-flow, fluidised bed mode, a level surface matters more 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 this doesn't put 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. A 20 inch unit, including the same head and bracket as now, is 26.96 inches / 68.5cm in total, compared with 17 inches / 43.2cm for the current unit. The customer would simply screw the 20 inch bottom bowl into the existing head you've fitted.

Do not let the system freeze.

Important: Close the Housing Correctly

The unit must be closed fully, or it may leak sooner or later. A fully closed housing has a gap of 2mm to 3mm max between the lower blue nut and the blue top. Anything wider than 3mm is definitely wrong.

You can get fairly close to this gap by hand, then use the wrench for the final tightening. BUT if you need a lot of force with the wrench to reach 2mm / 3mm, there is a problem. Check the following:

a) The cartridge inside the housing must be closed properly. On cartridges where a slot joins the lid to the lower housing, these must be slotted correctly (this is very simple to do).

b) Cartridges that screw-tighten must be fully screwed up.

c) The small rubber ring / gasket on top of the cartridge must be seated correctly in its recess / ring.

d) You can test by simulating fitting the white sump to the head: (i) remove the blue locking ring, (ii) put the cartridge in the white sump, and without using the ring nut, (iii) simulate the final tightening position. The system must close without problems.

e) The large thin O-ring must be positioned as sent, ie on the higher ridge. Don't put it on the lower ridge, where you have to stretch it to fit and it's visible when the blue lid is placed onto the white base.

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 your client can do themselves, so please show them how to do it.

Meanwhile, if you have a combi / twin unit, you can leave the 12 month filter cartridge inside its housing, ie the one on the left. The client will then enjoy the benefits of that filter straight away, 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 that need scale prevention. Point of use filters, eg carbon or Reverse Osmosis filters, are exempt from this.

CAUTION!

• Please make sure the housing unit(s) stay upright while screwing on the top. Otherwise the loose cartridge inside might mis-align 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: as with conventional softening media, Scale Centurion must be protected from excess levels of certain metals, which can coat its active surface and reduce its effectiveness over time. Public water supplies rarely, if ever, cause a problem. But if the supply is from a private well, confirm 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

1) Once the unit is ready, ie the pipework is complete and the flexible hoses are attached, flush the system without the anti-scale cartridge (in the second, right-hand housing, last on the line), as described in Running In the System.

2) Carefully let the water into the filters and run it until it runs clear. Some noise will be heard during flushing.

3) Check for any leaks.

4) Run the cold water tap nearest the filter for 5 minutes to release any trapped air. Repeat with all the other cold water taps in the property, and flush any toilets once.

5) After 6 weeks, re-insert the anti-scale cartridge and flush again for 2 minutes.

Specifications

Any Problems? Please telephone 020 8761 6611

Important Note re Reminders

It's important to change your cartridges on time.

We will email you reminders when it's time to change, but please make sure you whitelist our email address so these reminders aren't sent to spam. And/or set an alarm now on your mobile.

Your feedback and any suggestions on how we can improve our service are always appreciated.

Thank you

Sales Admin Team
Telephone 020 8761 6611

Water Filter Instructions / Guides for fitting and installing