As you are looking for a solution to the problems around your home associated with having hard water, you may be shocked by some of the prices that you must pay for certain types of water softeners.
That’s why many people who only have moderate or lower hard water levels have gotten away from buying more traditional water softening devices. They are now switching to electronic water descalers.
These tend to be priced much lower than salt use, dual-tank style water softeners. The increasing popularity of electronic descalers is why we have been doing so many reviews on them lately.
Here I will look at two more models that have proven to be popular in the marketplace.
They are in the Scalebuster line of products made by a company called Clearwater Enviro Technologies, Inc.
This company is the world’s largest producer of electronic copper/silver ionization systems and electronic descaling devices.
Their descaler models that I will go over in more detail in this review are the ScaleBlaster SB-75 and ScaleBlaster SB-175.
The company claims that these are the #1 best-selling water descalers in the world today.
Let’s see if these ScaleBlaster reviews back that lofty claim up.
Table of Contents
ScaleBlaster Water Conditioners Overview
As you read on, please note that electric water descalers also are sometimes categorized as salt-free water softeners, water softener alternatives, or water conditioners.
Here are the important details that you need to know about the two electronic water descaler models mentioned above that may make you want to choose them over other styles of water softeners:
1. ScaleBlaster SB-75
This is the smallest and most affordable of the ScaleBlaster models. It is made to soften water in homes that are 4000 sq.ft. or less.
It can be installed on water lines that are made of copper, PVC, CPVC, or PEX pipe and its suitable for almost all indoor applications.
Key Features:
Environmentally Friendly/Salt-Free Descaling
One of the most appealing aspects of water conditioners is that they do not use salt in the water softening process. That also means there is no wastewater associated with them that goes into the environment.
It also means there is no hauling heavy bags of salt home from the store and then having to monitor the system for when they need to be added.
These devices work by sending an electronic pulse into the water in your incoming line that alters but does not remove hard water minerals.
But they are very impactful at hindering hard water mineral’s ability to form problem-causing limescale deposits on bathroom and kitchen surfaces and fixtures.
Few Operating Expenses and Maintenance-Free Once Installed
Water conditioners are the closest you can get to having an install it and forget it water softening device. This is because they do not require any maintenance once they are installed.
The only extra expense associated with them is the small amount of electricity that they use.
Budget-Friendly
There are some salt water softeners and single-tank water conditioners that can be very expensive to purchase and install.
That is not the case with the ScaleBlaster SB-75 because it is designed in such a way that it’s sale price can remain low and affordable for most people.
Most unit’s, depending on variation can be found for well under $300.
Space Saving Wall Mount Design
Another big problem with dual-tank salt water softeners is that they take up some space in any garage or bathroom that they are installed in. It can create some problems when trying to find a suitable installation location.
That’s not the case with this model water softening devices. That’s because it can be conveniently wall mounted so it’s out of the way and it measures only 7.5” x 4.75” x 2.2”. This makes it possible to install just about anywhere.
DIY Installation Compatible
Since all that is required to install this unit is to attach it to the wall near your incoming water line, wrap its coils around that water line, and then plug it in, it can be installed easily by you even if you have no plumbing knowledge.
That alone can save you hundreds of dollars as opposed to having it professionally installed. This only makes the ScaleBlaster SB-75 water conditioner that much more budget-friendly.
Does Not Remove Beneficial Minerals
Sure, most salt water softeners will remove over 99% of the hard water minerals that pass through them but that’s not always a good thing.
That’s because some hard water minerals such as calcium and magnesium are essential minerals for your body. When you remove them from your water you have to take supplements to replace them.
Since electronic water softener alternatives alter but do not remove hard water minerals, you still retain the health benefits that you would normally get from drinking water with minerals in it.
3-Year Warranty
One of the best things about a ScaleBlaster water conditioner is that they have no moving parts inside of them that are necessary to make them work.
That means there is less chance of your SB-75 electronic water descaler breaking down as opposed to more traditional salt-based water softeners that have moving parts.
The 3-year warranty that comes with the SB-75 ScaleBlaster water conditioner only adds peace of mind to that fact as you now get to enjoy beneficial soft water treatment.
Pros:
- Salt-free descaling for homes less than 4000 sq.ft.
- Few operating expenses once installed
- Environmentally friendly
- Budget-friendly
- Space saving wall mount design
- DIY installation compatible
- Do not remove beneficial minerals
- Unlimited water treatment capacity
- Does not inhibit water flow
- Maintenance free after installation
- 3-year warranty
Cons:
- Not good for severe water hardness levels (19-gpg + or 325 PPM +)
- Alter as opposed to removing hard water minerals
- Needs an electrical hookup
- Special hookup needed for use with galvanized pipe
2. ScaleBlaster SB-175
This is a water conditioner that is designed to treat the water coming into medium to large sized homes ( 4000 sq.ft. or larger) and prevent that water from being able to form nuisance and damage causing limescale.
It’s a water softener that has a rugged stainless-steel body that if properly sealed can even be placed outside.
The Scale Blaster SB-175 is also compatible with copper, PVC, CPVC, or PEX pipe and can even be made to work with galvanized piping if a few extra precautions are taken.
Key Features
Environmentally Friendly/Salt-Free Descaling
Just like its sister model water softener, the ScaleBlaster SB-75, this ScaleBlaster water conditioner uses no salt in its limescale formation inhibiting process.
That means there are no byproducts created by it such as waste water that gets flushed down a drain line.
This is much unlike more traditional salt-style water treatment which creates wastewater during the backwashing phase of its regeneration process.
That makes it a great choice for those that are environmentally conscious.
Budget-Friendly
In keeping with tradition at Clearwater Enviro Technologies, Inc., the Scale Blaster SB-175 is very cost-friendly for all the water softening capability that it gives you.
It will treat 100% of the calcium, magnesium, and other limescale forming minerals that come into your home through its water supply.
All this is done at a cost of less than $700. Further adding to its cost saving benefits is that there are no expenses associated with it (except a small amount of electricity) once it has been put in place.
Space Saving Wall Mount Design
Many people with smaller homes, town homes, and apartments feel they cannot enjoy the benefits that a water softener affords them because they have no room to put one.
That problem is easily solved by the ScaleBlaster SB-175 water conditioner. That’s because it can be conveniently wall mounted in very small spaces if there is an electrical outlet nearby.
Its compact stainless steel body only requires 10.5” x 7.3” x 3.75” of space in which to install it.
DIY Installation Compatible/ No Maintenance After Installation
Are you scared to try and install a newly purchased water softener yourself because you have limited plumbing knowledge, then an electronic water descaler is perfect for you.
Unlike other types of water softeners, it does not require you to splice it into the incoming water line and add a bypass valve for it to operate.
It just uses a sealed electric wire that wraps around your incoming water line pipe to make it work.
If you have an electrical outlet nearby where you want to place it, there is no type of water softener that’s easier to install.
Other good news with the Scale Blaster SB-175 is once you have it securely attached to your wall and set up, there is no maintenance required to keep it working properly.
This is much different than salt-based water softeners which require monthly maintenance such as the addition of new salt pellets and initiating regeneration cycles.
Does Not Remove Beneficial Minerals
If you have a water softener that uses a salt-based ion exchange process to remove hard water minerals, then this will remove over 99% of the hard water minerals that pass through the system in most cases.
While that is very impactful when it comes to preventing limescale buildup, it also means that no calcium molecules, magnesium, or other beneficial minerals are in the water that you drink.
This is not the case with electronic water descalers such as the Scale Blaster SB-175. That’s because it only inhibits limescale formation by slightly altering hard water causing minerals.
It does not completely remove them so you still get the health benefits from them that you need.
3-Year Warranty
The same as was mentioned above with the Scale Blaster SB-75, there are no moving parts that make this model water conditioner work. That means it will last you for a long time.
Its durable stainless-steel body will help with that too as it will resist corrosion even if placed in somewhat harsh environments. It even comes backed up by a very decent 3-year warranty.
Pros:
- Salt-free water conditioner for homes 4000 sq.ft. or larger
- Few operating expenses once installed
- Environmentally friendly
- Budget-friendly
- Space saving wall mount design
- DIY installation compatible
- Do not remove beneficial minerals
- No maintenance after installation
- Does not inhibit water flow
- Unlimited water treatment capacity
- 3-year warranty
Cons:
- Not good for severe water hardness levels (19-grains + or 325 PPM +)
- Alter as opposed to removing hard water minerals
- Needs an electrical hookup
- Special hookup needed for use with galvanized pipe
Some Final Words on these Scale Blaster Models
I am a big fan of salt-free water conditioners such as these under a few conditions. The first is that your water only tests to be moderately hard or lower.
The other considerations where I recommend the use of a water conditioner as opposed to a water softener is if you have a limited water softening budget and space nesar your incoming water line is very limited.
Those on salt restricted diets who need to lower salt intake can also benefit from water softeners that do not use salt in the softening process like a more traditional water softener does.
So after doing these ScaleBlaster water conditioner reviews, I see no reason if you are looking for an electronic water descaler that you would not want to consider either of these devices to perform that role for you.
Even better, make sure to check out our salt free water softener review for all the best models.
