Compare SoluCalc® to classic softeners and magnetic systems

SoluCalc® and softeners control lime scale in water. Here is a table for comparison that will help you understand the difference between systems. A number of criteria are presented:

SOLUCALC®
SOFTENER
MAGNETIC SYSTEMS
Principle
The addition of gaseous CO2 in water makes calcium salts soluble; The water remains 100% potable. Approved procedure for human consumption.
Replacement of non-soluble and scaling calcium ions by soluble sodium ions with resins to exchange ions approved for human consumption.
Puts ions in suspension and in vibration. This prevents calcium ions from leaving deposits in the plumbing. Beware: lime scale isn’t eliminated and your water stays just as hard!

Installation of the device
Installation
Easy placement (requires no by-pass or evacuation device).
Requires professional placement: drainage, brine evacuation and by-pass needed.
Easy placement (requires no by-pass or evacuation device).
Bulk
Compact size of 10 x 14 x 35 cm for the 5 m3/h model.
Bulkier equipment of 50 x 30 x 112 cm for the 1.5 m3/h model.
Compact size.
Regulation
Volumetric, calculator management, regular at all flow levels.
Timetable, for value brands. Volumetric, for mid-range products.
Maintenance
None
Device regulation monitoring by a professional (especially after an electrical outage to prevent consumption of regenerated water). Annual maintenance contract is imperative (100 to 130 €/year).
None
Option for pools
Adaptable accessory for pH regulation of pool water (€ 300 includes VAT).
Not possible.
Not possible.
Optional dose regulator pump
Adaptable accessory for managing a dose regulator pump.
Not possible.
Not possible.

Effects on equipment
SOLUCALC®
SOFTENER
MAGNETIC SYSTEMS
Energy Savings

Heat transfer more efficient because heat interchanges are not covered in scale.
Protection of pipes and water heaters for hot bathing water
Yes. Eliminates lime scale already present in pipes along with associated organic deposits, and prevents new deposits. Controlled descaling of equipment and pipes; restores original water pressure.
Yes. But only eliminates lime scale present in the water: does not eliminate lime scale already incrusted in pipes or associated organic deposits.
Yes for pipes, but no for boilers where water stands longer than vibration (which lasts from 5 to 100 hours depending on the unit, after which lime scale is deposited if no water is consumed). Limited effectiveness. For boilers, user must manually drain the lime scale by releasing it from the access trap.
Risk of corrosion from treated water
None at pH 7.0. The more there is lime scale, the more buffer power is developed (stability at pH 7.0). No salt required.
Yes. Reduces buffer power (equalize the pH). Salt used aggressively for pipes.
Variable. The unit dimensions should be determined at installation and by water consumption.
Protection of toilet fixtures and appliances
Keeps toilet fixtures and appliances clean and protected.
Keeps toilet fixtures and appliances clean and protected.
Lime scale remains in water. Anti-lime scale products still required.
Restorative effect
 Controlled descaling of equipment and pipes, restoration of original water pressure as a restorative effect. Negligeable restorative effect.
Very slight restorative effect.

Human health and well-being
SOLUCALC®
SOFTENER
MAGNETIC SYSTEM
Hygiene and water quality
Immediate treatment in proportion to consumption. Water 100% potable. No risk of bacterial pollution, no need for periodic steriliser. No water stagnation. The CO2 is bacteriostable and suitable for human consumption.
Treatment dependent only on the capacity of the unit (number of persons). Beware: if water consumption increases, not all of the water used will be treated! Risk of bacterial pollution due to retention of bacteria in the resin bed (regular disinfection an absolute necessity).
No risk of bacterial pollution, no periodic sterilisation necessary. But water remains hard with all of the associated negative effects on health.
Body and skin care
Leaves the skin softer, gentle on the skin and hair; soft hair and supple skin…less use of soaps, shampoos, and cosmetics.
If water is too soft (too much salt added), water consumption will need to be increased to correctly rinse soaps and shampoos. Nevertheless, hair will be soft and skin supple…
Water remains hard.
Dietary regimens and heart health
No salt added to the water.
Salt added to the water.
No salt added to the water.
Potability of raw water
Does not alter water potability. Eau potable
Raw softened water is not generally drinkable as such due to high sodium content. Water distributors advise unsoftened water by-pass from the kitchen sink tap.
Does not alter water potability.
Digestion
Bicarbonates can be assimilated by the human body. Gaseous water is even better for digestion.
Softened water is unbalanced: it is aggressive to the stomach.
Does not change water composition.

Environmental Impact
SOLUCALC®
SOFTENER
MAGNETIC SYSTEM
Resulting pollution
None
Yes: brine byproducts (50 kg/year of chloride ions: environmental pollution).
None
Water waste
No water waste. Less water needed for rinsing (approximately 20% less than with softened water).
Water waste when resins regenerate, difficult rinsing due to excess water wettability or a minimum of overconsumption of 15% as compared to normal annual consumption.
No water waste.
Consumption of cleaning products
Reduced use of detergents, softeners, etc.
Reduced use of detergents, softeners, etc.
No benefit for boilers and dishwaters. Water remains hard.
Effect on chlorination of the municipal water network
 Reduces effect of chloramines. Slight lowering of pH. Limits chlorination effectiveness. Does not change pH. Does not eliminate chloramines.
None.
10-year eco-inventory
100-150 kg of atmospheric CO2 recycled and neutralized. No water waste.
1.2 tonnes of salt and 450 m3 of polluted waste water released into the environment.

Comparative user cost for 150 m3/year, use our calculator

SOLUCALC® SOFTENER MAGNETIC SYSTEM
Price for equipment & installation SoluCalc 5 m3/h Quality Softener 1.5 m3 / h
Base, family of 4 at 150m3/year
€ 1,250 + VAT + placement
 € 1,000 to 2,500 + VAT + placement from € 30 to 2,500 + VAT + placement
Product Consumption 0.10 kg of CO2 per m3 for Th at 35°F 0.8 kg salt per m3 for Th at 35°F
kg/ an 10 – 15 kg of CO2 120 kg of salt
Cost for PU treatment product € 1,5-5 + VAT € 0.80 /kg
Yearly Product Cost (B) € 15-75 € 96
Yearly Maintenance Cost € 0.00 € 130 
Excess water consumption in € per year € 0.00 € 67.5 (22.5 m3)
Price for m3 network water € 3 /m3
Annual treatment cost € 15-75 + VAT 96+130+67.50 = € 293.50 + VAT
Cost over 10 years of treatment (unit price not included) € 150-750 + VAT € 2.935 + VAT

Savings Comparison

To compare the cost of SoluCalc® to the price of a softener, try our calculator.
As for magnetic systems, they are sometimes less expensive (between €30 and €2,500) but your water will still contain lime scale!
They are very difficult to adapt precisely to water consumption.
Lime scale is no longer depositing in your pipes (under certain conditions),
but it is still present in the water you drink and it still builds up in your toilets and your household appliances.
You will have to plan on treating the boiler every year to prevent lime scale accumulation.

The information regarding the techniques applied is our best professional assessment based on our research and experience.
It does not constitute a guarantee of any kind.
Also, all indications and information provided on the compatibility and application of our products are furnished without commitment
of responsibility on our part and require the buyer to perform his or her own evaluations and assessments.