What is copper/silver ionization?

An ion is an atom, or group of atoms, that possesses an electrical charge.  An atom is like a tiny solar system, with a nucleus in the middle and one or more electrons orbiting around the outside.  Inside the nucleus are positively charged particles called protons. The electrons are negatively charged.  An atom usually contains an equal number of protons and electrons.  An ion gets its electrical charge by losing or gaining electrons.  Copper/silver ionization is the electronic release of copper and silver ions.

How do I know if ionization is taking place?

Every ionizer features indicator lights or LCD displays that let you know ionization is taking place.  Every unit also comes with an ãionä test kit that should be tested weekly.  This indicates the unit is producing copper and silver ions.   It is very simple to use and only takes a few minutes.

What other testing is required with the ionizer?

Normal testing of the pH and total alkalinity should be done on a regular basis.  The most important is the pH.  This should always be kept between 7.2 and 7.8, with preference on the lower end.

Will I ever have to replace anything with the system?

The electrodes are self-sacrificing and will eventually wear out.  A new set of electrodes will be required and is simply screwed in place and the oldset discarded.  The reagents for the test kit should be replaced every year.  Your dealer has both electrodes and test kits in stock.

How long will the electrodes last?

The actual life-span of the electrodes depends on many factors - the size of the pool or body of water being ionized and water temperature being the main factors.  Naturally, a swimming pool of 40,000 gallons will use up the electrodes about 4 times faster than a pool with 10,000 gallons.  The warmer the water, the higher the ionizer will have to be set at, as more algae will grow in warmer water.  The same can be said of chlorine.

How hard is it to install the system?

Your authorized dealer has been factory-trained to install the system.  However, if you are doing it yourself, installation is very simple and can be done in about one hour in most cases.  For a plumber, this is a very basic install.  An installation manual is included with every unit.  No special tools are required.

What is the actual electrical consumption?

Depending on how long the system runs each day and the size of the unit, the actual amount can vary.  However, a regular household unit running 8 hours a day only uses about $3 a year in electricity.(Varies on Rates)  

Will I ever have to use chlorine again?

In most cases, some kind of an oxidizer is required, especially in warm water areas.  The ionizer will kill algae, bacteria and viruses, but it will not oxidize or burn off the debris that gets in water.  Residential applications can use a non-chlorine shock like potassium monopersulfate or even a corona-discharge ozone generator instead of chlorine, while most commercial applications will require a small free-chlorine residual at all times - still saving up to 80% on chlorine expenses.

Are copper and silver ions safe?

Absolutely!  As you can see from the above excerpt from EPA's Quality Criteria for Water, copper is actually required in our bodies, and silver is used worldwide in many applications (see History of Copper /Silver Ionization) Silver is used by dentists, in water purification equipment, tableware, coins and in many other applications. You can't say that about chlorine!