Do inline scale reducers work?

[stockhausen]

I have been advised to fit an inline scale reducer on the incoming water mains.

These claim to "Use the principles of electrolytic action to alter the characteristics of hard water so that limescale simply passes through a domestic hot water system without sticking to the heat exchange surfaces."

This sounds like complete nonsense to me. Does anyone have any experience of these? Do they make any sort of scientific sense at all?

 

[stockhausen]

I ha spent some time Googling these things and it seems they are pretty much a con, without any reproducible scientific evidence to prove they work.

Someone I asked about them pointed me in the direction of a similar con trick from the past. The spark plug enhancer was a popular car tune-up scam. It consisted of two screws embedded in plastic with the threads exposed. You were supposed to cut the HT lead and insert the device - it allegedly resulted in massively increased MPG and was an absolute snip at just £14.99

So, no inline scale reducer for me then even at a £50 supplied and fitted.