Upgrading your boiler and central heating system is a significant investment. It typically comes with higher efficiencies, better controls, and longer warranties. To protect that investment and maximise performance, one often-overlooked safeguard is installing a scale reducer at the outset (or at least as part of the installation). In this article, we'll walk you through what scale is, how it affects a heating system, and why a product like the Arctic Hayes Electrolytic Scale Reducer (15 mm version – Code AHSR15) or its 22 mm counterpart is worth serious consideration.

1. What is scale (and why is it a problem)?
When water containing dissolved minerals — especially calcium and magnesium — is heated, those minerals can precipitate out and form hard deposits on the surfaces of boilers, heat-exchangers, pipes and radiators. These deposits are commonly referred to as limescale or “scale”.
• If your property is in a hard water area, this risk is higher.
• Scale build-up has multiple knock-on effects:
• It acts as an insulating layer on heat-exchanger surfaces, reducing heat transfer and forcing the boiler to work harder.
• It can reduce flow rate in pipework or narrow passages, and cause poor heating output or uneven radiator performance.
• Over time, the increased stress and temperature differential can accelerate component wear, or even lead to premature failure of parts (heat-exchanger cracking, diverter valves sticking, etc).
• Also, once scale has built up, remediation (descaling, cleaning) tends to be disruptive, costly, and time-consuming.
In summary, installing a new heating system only to have scale build up over time is somewhat defeating the purpose of the upgrade.

2. What is a scale reducer, and how does it work?
A scale reducer (also called a scale inhibitor or limescale inhibitor) is a device (or in some cases a chemical treatment) installed in the water circuit of a heating system with the aim of preventing or reducing the formation of scale.

How it works
There are several technologies:
• Magnetic or electronic devices that alter the mineral structure of water so that scale crystals are less likely to adhere to surfaces.
• Electrolytic devices (as in the Arctic Hayes product), which use the principle of altering the structure of hardness salts so they travel through the system without forming adherent deposits. (From the product page: “Uses electrolytic principles to prevent the build-up of scale … It works by altering the structure of the hardness salts.”)
• Chemical treatments: adding inhibitors into the water that prevent the precipitation of the scale-forming salts.

What to look for
When choosing such a device, it is helpful to check:
• Compatibility with pipe size (e.g., 15mm or 22mm)
• Pressure & temperature ratings (e.g., maximum operating temp, pressure) – the Arctic Hayes model for 15mm is rated up to 10 bar, max temp 80 °C.
• Whether it is WRAS-approved or otherwise certified for UK domestic water systems
• Whether installation is simple (ideally inline with the cold feed or adjacent to the boiler, and doesn’t require chemicals or maintenance) – the Arctic model states “No maintenance or chemicals required”.

By installing such a device early, you are putting a proactive line of defence against scale rather than dealing with the consequences after the fact.:

3. Key benefits of fitting a scale reducer when upgrading or installing a new system
Putting in a good scale reduction solution at the time of installing or upgrading your heating system delivers several advantages:

A. Improved system efficiency
Because scale impairs heat transfer and flow, reducing its formation means your system can operate closer to its design efficiency. Over the lifetime of the system, that extra efficiency translates into lower energy bills.

B. Longer system and component lifespan
Less scale means less stress on heat-exchanger surfaces, diverter valves, pumps and pipework. The heating system is less likely to suffer unexpected breakdowns due to scale-related faults.

C. Lower maintenance and repair costs
With scale prevention, you are less likely to need a full chemical flush or component replacement, or to suffer inefficient heating output (cold spots, noisy radiators).

D. Better performance of your new investment
If you are fitting a new boiler or system, you’ll likely have chosen a higher-efficiency unit, better controls, possibly zone valves, and expect this to perform for years. Installing a scale reducer helps safeguard that investment.

E. Simplicity and “set-and-forget” protection
With devices like the Arctic Hayes version, installation is straightforward, the unit has no moving parts, no ongoing chemicals or electricity required, and minimal maintenance. According to the product page: “No maintenance or chemicals required.”

4. Practical considerations – where, when and how to install

When
• If you’re installing a new system (new boiler + pipework or major upgrade) then fitting a scale reducer at the same time is ideal — you can integrate it into the installation without additional disruption.
• If you’re upgrading (e.g., replacing the boiler only, or modifying zones) then it’s still worth considering—especially if the system is in a hard water area or if you want to prolong the new equipment’s life.

Where to install
• Typically, on the cold-feed or the main flow/return line associated with the boiler/heating circuit. Check manufacturer instructions.
• Use a size that matches your pipework: for example, the Arctic Hayes product comes in 15mm (Code AHSR15) and a 22mm unit for larger systems.
• Make sure it is accessible for future inspections, but since maintenance is minimal, it doesn’t need frequent access.

What else to consider
• Water hardness: If you live in a hard water area (e.g., many parts of London / South East UK), your risk of scale is higher — so the benefit is greater.
• System cleanliness: If it's an older system with sludge or scale already present, you may also want to consider a flush or cleanse at the same time to remove existing deposits; the scale reducer will then help minimise future build-up.
• Combination with other protective measures: While scale is one issue, many systems also suffer from sludge, rust or magnetite debris. Many installers recommend combining a magnetic filter with scale reduction to provide comprehensive protection.
• Installation by a qualified engineer: Although the device is simple, fitting new heating equipment must still comply with relevant building regulations and manufacturer warranty conditions.

5. Addressing common questions/objections

Is it really worth the extra cost?
– Yes, especially when you consider the alternative: increased energy bills, reduced system efficiency, potentially earlier failure of components, and more frequent maintenance.
– The extra cost of a good-quality scale reducer is modest compared to the lifetime cost of heating inefficiency or breakdown.

I have a new boiler, doesn’t the warranty cover it?
– The boiler may have a warranty, but that won’t necessarily cover scale damage if it’s caused by untreated water (especially in hard water areas). Some manufacturer conditions may require appropriate water treatment, so it is always useful to check this when buying a new heating system.

We flush the system regularly; perhaps that’s enough.
Flushing (chemical or power-flush) is helpful, especially when installing something new or cleaning an old system. But flushing alone doesn’t prevent future scale formation. A scale reducer gives ongoing protection, reducing the need to flush so frequently.

Does it require maintenance or chemicals?
– Many modern devices (including the one from Arctic Hayes) require little to no maintenance or ongoing chemicals. According to the product page: “No maintenance or chemicals required. – That means once installed, you can largely “fit and forget” while still reaping the benefits.

6. Summary & key takeaways
If you’re installing or upgrading a domestic central heating system, here are the key points to remember:

• Scale formation is a very real issue: it impacts system efficiency, lifespan and repair costs.
• A scale reducer is a proactive measure to reduce that risk, protect components and maintain performance.
• Choosing the right one (size, spec, certification) matters — a 15 mm or 22 mm version may suit your installation depending on pipe diameter and system capacity.
• The benefits are greatest when installed early (during installation or upgrade) rather than reacting later.
• It’s not a “silver bullet” — it works best in combination with good installation practice, system flushing/cleaning (if required), proper inhibitors for corrosion, and a magnetic filter for debris.
• The extra cost is modest compared to the potential lifetime gains in energy saving, fewer breakdowns and extended system life.

7. Why the Arctic Hayes Electrolytic Scale Reducer is a good fit
While this article isn’t a hard sales piece, it’s helpful to highlight that the Arctic Hayes model offers a number of features aligning with best practices:

• The 15mm version (AHSR15) is listed as “Whole house protection … WRAS approved … Durable nickel plated unit”.
• Max operating pressure 10 bar, max temp 80 °C — adequate for many domestic systems.
• No maintenance or chemicals required, which simplifies homeowner responsibility.
• A 22mm version (for larger pipework or higher flow systems) is available (via the same product line), offering versatility for different installations.

So if you’re specifying or selecting equipment for a new installation or upgrade, this is a credible option to include (alongside your boiler, controls, pipework, filters, inhibitors etc).

Final Thought…
An upgraded central heating system is only as good as its weakest link. Installing an efficient boiler, smart controls, and quality radiators is obviously important — but failing to address the water side (scale, corrosion, sludge) can undermine your investment. A scale reducer is a relatively small addition that protects the system in the long term, helps maintain efficiency, and avoids headaches later. If you want your new heating system to deliver optimal performance for years, it’s one of those “worth doing at the start” items rather than “having to fix later”.

To view the Arctic Hayes range of Scale Reducers, please visit the SERVICING – WATER TREATMENT SECTION OF OUR WEBSITE.

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Contact us for more information or any help, advice or to order: Arctic Hayes Ltd, 9 Millshaw Park Ave, Leeds, LS11 0LR, United Kingdom Tel +44 (0) 113 271 5245 sales@arctic-hayes.com