Complete anti-scale solution comparison
LIMPEO is an electromagnetic anti-scale treatment that differs from salt-based softeners, reverse osmosis, and polyphosphate filters by requiring zero consumables, zero salt, and zero water waste.
LIMPEO vs. Alternatives
Why LIMPEO over a salt-based softener?
No salt, no discharge, no maintenance — installed once for 20+ years.
Criterion
LIMPEO
Salt softener
Annual cost
< €10/yr
€300–400/yr
Water wasted
0%
4,000 L/yr
Calcium preserved
100%
0%
Maintenance
None
High
Lifespan
20+ years
10–15 years
Compare:
Our recommendation
LIMPEO
Electromagnetic treatment with zero consumables
Salt-based softener
Salt softener — ion-exchange resin
Reverse osmosis
Reverse osmosis — membrane filtration
Polyphosphate filter
Polyphosphate filter — anti-scale additive
Reservoir / Footprint
Not required — wraps around pipe
Yes — reservoir + salt bin
Yes — tank under sink
No — compact inline housing
Consumables
None
Salt (100-300 kg/year) + resin (every 5 years)
Membrane + pre-filters (1-2x/year)
Cartridge (2x/year)
Maintenance required
None — autonomous 20+ years
Cleaning 2x/year — bacterial risk
Filter change 1-2x/year
Cartridge replacement 2x/year
Extra water consumption
0%
10 to 15% (regeneration cycles)
50 to 75% water rejected
0%
Annual operating cost
< €10/year (electricity)
€250 to €450/year
€100 to €200/year
€60 to €120/year
Health impact
Calcium preserved — potable water
Sodium added — cardiovascular risk
All minerals removed
Polyphosphates added to water
Environmental impact
Zero discharge, zero waste, zero chemicals
Brine discharged (34,500 L/year)
Significant water waste (3:1 ratio)
Plastic cartridges to recycle
Installation
Non-invasive (20 min, no plumber)
Plumbing modification required
Under-sink plumbing modification
Simple inline insertion
Lifespan
20+ years without replacement
10-15 years (resin replacement needed)
5-10 years (membrane replacement needed)
Housing 10 years, ongoing cartridges
Our recommendation
LIMPEO
Electromagnetic treatment with zero consumables
Reservoir / Footprint
Not required — wraps around pipe
Consumables
None
Maintenance required
None — autonomous 20+ years
Extra water consumption
0%
Annual operating cost
< €10/year (electricity)
Health impact
Calcium preserved — potable water
Environmental impact
Zero discharge, zero waste, zero chemicals
Installation
Non-invasive (20 min, no plumber)
Lifespan
20+ years without replacement
Salt-based softener
Salt softener — ion-exchange resin
Reservoir / Footprint
Yes — reservoir + salt bin
Consumables
Salt (100-300 kg/year) + resin (every 5 years)
Maintenance required
Cleaning 2x/year — bacterial risk
Extra water consumption
10 to 15% (regeneration cycles)
Annual operating cost
€250 to €450/year
Health impact
Sodium added — cardiovascular risk
Environmental impact
Brine discharged (34,500 L/year)
Installation
Plumbing modification required
Lifespan
10-15 years (resin replacement needed)
Reverse osmosis
Reverse osmosis — membrane filtration
Reservoir / Footprint
Yes — tank under sink
Consumables
Membrane + pre-filters (1-2x/year)
Maintenance required
Filter change 1-2x/year
Extra water consumption
50 to 75% water rejected
Annual operating cost
€100 to €200/year
Health impact
All minerals removed
Environmental impact
Significant water waste (3:1 ratio)
Installation
Under-sink plumbing modification
Lifespan
5-10 years (membrane replacement needed)
Polyphosphate filter
Polyphosphate filter — anti-scale additive
Reservoir / Footprint
No — compact inline housing
Consumables
Cartridge (2x/year)
Maintenance required
Cartridge replacement 2x/year
Extra water consumption
0%
Annual operating cost
€60 to €120/year
Health impact
Polyphosphates added to water
Environmental impact
Plastic cartridges to recycle
Installation
Simple inline insertion
Lifespan
Housing 10 years, ongoing cartridges
LIMPEO
9/9
Salt-based softener
0/9
Reverse osmosis
0/9
Polyphosphate filter
3/9
The numbers speak for themselves
Visual comparison of costs, environmental impact and mineral preservation.
Annual operating cost
LIMPEO10 €/year
Salt-based softener350 €/year
Reverse osmosis150 €/year
Polyphosphate filter90 €/year
10-year total cost
LIMPEO590 €
Salt-based softener5 000 €
Reverse osmosis2 500 €
Polyphosphate filter1 400 €
Water waste
LIMPEO0 L/year
Salt-based softener4 000 L/year
Reverse osmosis7 500 L/year
Polyphosphate filter0 L/year
Mineral preservation
LIMPEO100 %
Salt-based softener0 %
Reverse osmosis0 %
Polyphosphate filter80 %