The Small Wonder device is a gadget that reduces limescale build up in your pipes by using electromagnetic fields to alter the chemical makeup of hard water. It’s the dissolved calcium and magnesium mineral salts that cause limescale to deposit in your pipes, kettle, water boilers. The Small Wonder gadget uses the electromagnetic field to keep the mineral salts as a suspension, which decreases salt saturation in the water, and therefore helps the softened water to dissolve existing limescale deposits.
One significant eco benefit to the Small Wonder, is that it’s been designed as an alternative to using chemicals to soften your hard water. These water-softening chemicals have been shown to be corrosive to domestic plumbing systems as well as having harmful environmental effects. Reducing limescale deposits in your heating system and your washing machine have been shown to reduce energy consumption too. This is because limescale acts as an insulator within pipes, which means more energy is needed to heat water in limescale-lined pipes. There are plenty more benefits to the Small Wonder, but I’ve covered the highlights.
Electronic water softeners are pretty cheap to run, and this one only costs $10 a year to run. It’s a great alternative to using chemicals, but yet it’s just as effective. You can also get static magnet water softening systems, but they can be dangerous around pacemakers and many gadgets. Electric water softners are also much easier to install, since they don’t need a plumber or for you to cut any pipes.
The Small Wonder is available for $179 with free shipping in the US.