Hot Water Boiler Calcification

[Howler]

The resistance heating element on our Quick B3 40 liter hot water boiler got all calcified and scaly last year, leading the water to have a sickly sweet / sour smell. I replace the element and after only one year, the same problem reoccurred. I suppose we have hard water, but I would have hoped for more than a year. Any ideas as to why the problem recurs so frequently and what, if anything, can be done about it? Thanks.

[wholybee]

You can use a descaling solution or vinegar to remove the scale.

[sailorboy1]

It is because calcium is inverse soluble with temp. In other words it scales faster with hard water. If you scale in a year you must have pretty hard water.

[jamhass]

40 liter on a boat? Showers must be heaven!

Soft water might be an asset watermaker companies should exploit?

[Turtle Blues]

If it is severe enough that flushing as suggested above is required too often there are electronic descaling systems. iSpring is one manufacturer. The theory is it changes polarization so that the molecules flow through and out the faucet rather than bonding to the tank and element. It has a wire you coil around the inlet pipe. No tanks, no chemicals.