Echo Water Salt Free Conditioner | Installation and Operation Manual

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Introduction

The Echo Water Conditioner system provides protection from scale formation throughout the home. It can be installed at the point of entry to treat your entire home—both hot and cold water—or it can be located directly before a water heater or other device (e.g., sauna) that requires protection from hard water.

Echo Water Conditioner Science & Technology Overview

Echo Water Conditioner Performance

Echo Water Salt Free Conditioner Scale Prevention Properties

Echo Water Conditioner Treatment Scale Prevention Safety Sheet

How It Works

• The Echo Water Conditioner reduces or eliminates scale formation on internal and external plumbing surfaces.

• It also reduces spotting and streaking normally associated with hard water.

Scale Prevention Process

• The Echo Water Conditioner prevents scale by transforming the normal dissolved hardness minerals into undissolved crystal micro-particles.

• These crystals:

  • Stay suspended in the water.

  • Have a greatly reduced ability to react and attach to surfaces compared to dissolved hardness.

• As a result:

  • Internal scale build-up in pipes, water heaters, fixtures, and on glass is significantly reduced.

Important Usage Notes

• The Echo Water Conditioner is not a water softener.

• For optimum results:

  • Use low or phosphate-free cleaning products.

  • Prefer modern surfactant or detergent-based liquid soaps over traditional caustic solid soaps.

• Treated water:

  • Retains beneficial essential mineral content.

  • Is safe to drink.

Echo Water Conditioner Benefits

• Chemical-Free Scale Prevention
  Cost savings and environmental benefits.

• Virtually Maintenance-Free
  No salt bags or other chemicals to buy, transport, or store.

• No Electricity or Wastewater
  Completely self-contained system.

• Retains Beneficial Minerals
  Promotes healthier drinking water.

• Improves Efficiency
  Optimizes performance of water-using appliances.

• Simple Installation
  No electrical or drain hookup required.

• Safe for Landscaping and Lawns
  No need for costly bypass plumbing.

• Compatible with All Wastewater Systems
  Works with on-site and community treatment systems.

• Not Subject to Water Softener Restrictions
  Compliant in areas where traditional softeners are banned.

Installation of Your Echo Water Conditioner in Copper or Metal Piping Systems

If your new filter system is to be installed in a metal (conductive) plumbing system—such as copper or galvanized steel pipe—the plastic components of the system will interrupt the electrical continuity of the plumbing system.

As a result:

• Any stray currents from improperly grounded appliances downstream, or

• Potential galvanic activity in plumbing systems
  can no longer ground through the contiguous metal plumbing.

Electrical Grounding Consideration

Some homes may have been built in accordance with building codes that encouraged the grounding of electrical appliances through the plumbing system.

Therefore, to maintain safety and compliance:

• Install a bypass made of the same material as the existing plumbing, or

• Use a grounded jumper wire that bridges the Echo Water Conditioner to reestablish the conductive path across the system.

This is a simple and important step when installing your water treatment system into copper piping.

A ground jumper wire with pipe clamps can be purchased at any home center, hardware store, etc., for just a few dollars.

PLEASE CONSULT A LICENSED ELECTRICIAN BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL.

Equipment Specifications

Echo Water Conditioner systems are complete, self-contained, loaded with media, and ready to use. A simple inlet and outlet connection is all that is required for installation.

Please review operating pressures, temperatures, and water chemistry limitations to ensure compatibility.

Using Echo Water Conditioner with Other Water Treatment Equipment

Due to the unique properties of Echo Water Conditioner, there are some unique requirements for using it in conjunction with filtration or other forms of water treatment.

1. Echo Water Conditioner must be the last stage in the treatment chain. Do not install any filters after Echo Water Conditioner or before any devices for which scale prevention is required. POU filters, e.g. carbon or RO, are exempt from this requirement.

2. Do not apply phosphate or any other antiscalant either before or after Echo Water Conditioner.

An Important Note About Iron, Manganese, and Copper in the Water Supply

Iron and Manganese

Just like conventional water softening media, Echo Water Conditioner needs to be protected from excess levels of certain metals that can coat the active surface, reducing its effectiveness over time. Public water supplies rarely present a problem, but if your water supply is from a private well, confirm that the levels of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) are less than 0.3 mg/L and 0.05 mg/L, respectively. Copper should be less than 1.3 mg/L.

Copper

Copper typically originates from new copper plumbing upstream of the Echo Water Conditioner system. If this condition exists, it’s recommended to wait 3-4 weeks before placing the system in operation. This allows the copper surfaces to fully flush and develop a natural protective surface. To minimize any potential issues with excess copper, advise plumbers to avoid applying excess flux on the inner surfaces of the pipe and to use a low-corrosivity water-soluble flux listed under the ASTM B813 standard. Once the plumbing connections are complete, place the Echo Water Conditioner system in bypass mode before following the startup procedure and flush the plumbing for at least 10 minutes.

⚠️Cautions!

• Do not let the system freeze. Damage to the tank may result.

• The system must be operated in a vertical position. Do not lay it down during operation. It can be placed in any position for shipping and installation, but it must be operated in the vertical position.

• Place the system on a smooth, level surface. Because the system operates in an UP-Flow, fluidized bed mode, having a level surface is more important than with a softener or media filter.

• A bypass valve should be installed on every system to facilitate installation and service.

• Observe all local plumbing and building codes when installing the system.

ℹ️Notes to the Installer

The Echo Water Conditioner system differs from conventional softeners or media filters in a number of key ways:

• The system is light and only partially filled with media. This is normal. The UP-flow operation of the system requires a lot of freeboard to allow the bed to fully fluidize.

• The system has no underbed, so you can tip the system over without the risk of upsetting the media. This makes transportation and installation much easier than conventional systems.

• Because the Echo Water Conditioner system operates in the UP-Flow mode, the tank connections are opposite of what you’re used to.

• Please refer to the “Important Note About Iron, Manganese, and Copper” section above.

• Please see the note on "Using Echo Water Conditioner with Other Water Treatment Equipment" for important installation considerations.

Installation

1. Place the system in the desired location.

2. Connect the cold water supply to the inlet of the Echo Water Conditioner. NOTE: The Echo Water Conditioner operates in the UPFLOW mode, which is opposite of a conventional softener.

3. Place a bucket under the outlet port or run a line from the outlet port to a drain.

4. Slowly open the supply valve (user supplied) to the Echo Water Conditioner. Allow the tank to fill with water. Close the supply valve when a steady stream of water comes out of the outlet port.

5. Connect the outlet of the Echo Water Conditioner to the cold water supply to the home.

6. Open the supply valve to the Echo Water Conditioner.

7. Open faucets downstream from the Echo Water Conditioner to relieve any air.

8. Check for leaks. Repair as needed.

9. The system is now ready for service.

A Note to the Homeowner
Your Echo Water Conditioner will improve the properties of water throughout your home. Here are some things to expect and recommendations for maximizing the benefits and your enjoyment of the system:

• Sinks and Fixtures – Expect reduced spotting. If water is allowed to evaporate off a surface, small spots may be left behind. If wiped off frequently, the spotting should require no more than a wet cloth or sponge to remove. No harsh chemicals should be needed, as with typical hard water spotting.

• Dishwasher – Spotting on dishes and the surface of the dishwasher should be greatly reduced. We recommend immediately reducing the amount of dishwashing detergent by approximately 50% compared to hard water use. Dishwashing detergents low in phosphates are highly recommended, as they are better for the environment and reduce spotting. The use of a rinse aid may also be advised.

• Shower Doors and Tiles – Spotting should be reduced. When water evaporates off a surface, small spots may be left behind. These spots should be easy to remove with a damp cloth or sponge. In very hard water areas, treating shower glass with Rain-X® 2-in-1 glass cleaner or an equivalent product will further reduce cleaning requirements.

• Bath – You should notice that soaps and shampoos lather more easily than with untreated water. They will also rinse off much easier and faster than with traditional soft water. We recommend the use of modern soaps for the best results.

Things to Watch For:
During the first 30-90 days:

• Faucet aerators and drains may occasionally clog as old scale is removed from your plumbing system and water heater.

• You may also notice milky water while the descaling process is taking place. This is simply an increase in calcium in the water as the Echo Water Conditioner is removing old scale deposits from your pipes.

Good Practices:

• If your dishwasher is severely coated with scale at the time of installation, we recommend purchasing a product like Jet-Dry Dishwasher Cleaner to accelerate the cleaning. After this initial cleaning, the Echo Water Conditioner should help keep it clean.

• We also recommend draining your water heater tank 30 to 60 days after the Echo Water Conditioner is installed, and again after one year. This practice can dramatically increase the lifespan of your water heating appliance.

• If you have an electric “tank-type” water heater, for optimum results and higher efficiency, we recommend changing the heating elements to a “low watt density” model. Ensure the watt density is specified at less than 70 watts per square inch and is compatible with your brand. If you can only change one heating element, change the lower unit, which operates most of the time. One example is available at Home Depot (SKU # 258184).

• The Echo Water Conditioner will help keep the tank and heating elements free of scale and operating at peak efficiency. Please follow the manufacturer’s instructions when draining or servicing the tank!