Advanced Hydro

Advanced Hydro is a UK manufacturer based in Chatham, Kent. They specialise in electrolytic water conditioning technology for domestic and commercial properties. Their core product is the ACP (Advanced Crystallisation Process), an Electrolytic Scale Inhibitor that prevents limescale building up in pipework, heating systems, and appliances. It works by releasing a tiny amount of zinc into the water stream. This causes hardness minerals to form as aragonite rather than calcite, so they stay in suspension and wash harmlessly to drain instead of coating pipe walls and heating elements. There is no salt, no chemicals, no electricity, and no ongoing maintenance needed. MP Moran stocks the Advanced Hydro ACP15 for 15mm pipework and the Advanced Hydro ACP20 for 22mm pipework, both available for next working day delivery.

The Advanced Hydro ACP is an Electrolytic Scale Inhibitor. It adds a tiny amount of zinc to the water as it flows through the unit. The concentration is measured in parts per billion, which is completely undetectable by taste, smell, or feel. Zinc is unique because its presence in water causes hardness minerals to crystallise as aragonite rather than calcite. Calcite is the hard, sticky form of limescale that blocks pipes, coats heating elements, and causes appliance failures. Aragonite is light and non-adhering. It stays in suspension and washes harmlessly to drain. The whole reaction is powered by water flow alone, so no electricity supply is needed. Independent studies have shown the Advanced Hydro ACP prevents over 80% of limescale formation in hard water conditions.

Advanced Hydro size their units to match the incoming mains water pipe diameter of the property. For most domestic properties in the UK, the incoming mains will be either a 15mm (half inch) or 22mm (three quarter inch) pipe. These correspond to the Advanced Hydro ACP15 and Advanced Hydro ACP20 units respectively. An ACP25 is also available for slightly larger domestic or light commercial applications. Larger commercial units are made to order and typically take two to three weeks. If you are unsure of your incoming pipe size, a qualified plumber can confirm this quickly during a site visit. Both the ACP15 and ACP20 are held in stock at MP Moran for next working day delivery.

Advanced Hydro recommend fitting the ACP at or as close as possible to the main water inlet, ideally immediately after the stop cock. This ensures all water entering the property passes through the conditioner before reaching any pipework, heating system, or appliances. The unit can be fitted at any angle: horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. It just needs to be installed in the correct direction of water flow and must remain full of water throughout service. Earthing the unit body is essential regardless of whether the pipework is metal or plastic. Without correct earthing the Advanced Hydro ACP will not function and the warranty becomes void. For most domestic installations a qualified plumber or competent DIYer should be able to complete the job in under an hour.

No, the Advanced Hydro ACP has a negligible effect on water pressure and flow rate. All Advanced Hydro units produce a pressure drop of less than 0.1 bar, which is imperceptible in normal domestic or commercial use. Unlike some inline filters or softeners, the ACP does not restrict flow or require a bypass arrangement for normal operation. The compact inline design means it can be fitted without significantly altering existing pipework configurations. There is no impact on water volume delivered to taps, showers, or heating systems. This makes Advanced Hydro conditioners suitable for properties with both high and lower mains pressure supplies without any adjustment required.

Yes, water treated by an Advanced Hydro ACP is completely safe to drink. The unit carries full WRAS approval from the Water Regulatory Advisory Service, the government body that independently tests and approves all products that come into contact with drinking water. This means the Advanced Hydro ACP has been verified not to alter or contaminate the water supply in any way. The zinc it adds is present at parts per billion concentrations, which is undetectable by taste, smell, or feel and does not change the mineral content of the water. Unlike traditional water softeners, Advanced Hydro conditioners do not add sodium, so the water stays suitable for drinking straight from the tap. The one exception is that ACP-treated water should not be used for Koi Carp, as zinc can be harmful to this species even at very low concentrations.

The Advanced Hydro ACP is a water conditioner, not a water softener. Advanced Hydro are clear that there is no scientific evidence their ACP will soften water in the way a salt-based ion exchange softener does. Hard water contains dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. The Advanced Hydro ACP does not remove those minerals from the water. It changes the form in which they crystallise, which stops them from adhering to surfaces. The water retains its full mineral content, which is good for health and taste. What the Advanced Hydro ACP does deliver is effective protection against limescale build-up in pipework, boilers, heat exchangers, showers, and appliances. For anyone whose main concern is protecting their heating system and plumbing, it is a proven and low-maintenance solution.

Advanced Hydro design their ACP units to last 10 years, backed by a full 10-year manufacturer warranty. During that time the unit needs no maintenance at all. No salt top-ups, no filter changes, no chemical dosing, and no electricity. Once installed correctly with proper earthing and directional flow, the Advanced Hydro ACP works continuously and passively for the full decade. After 10 years, Advanced Hydro offers a discount on replacement units to customers who return their spent ACP. The old units can be fully refurbished, which is good for the customer and for the environment. A 12-month no-quibble money-back guarantee also applies from the date of purchase, provided the unit is returned clean and undamaged.

Yes, fitting an Advanced Hydro ACP and preventing limescale in heating systems and pipework delivers real energy savings. Industry estimates show that just 1mm of limescale on a heating element or pipe wall adds around 12% to the cost of heating that water. The heating system has to work harder and longer to push heat through the insulating scale layer. On a new build where the Advanced Hydro ACP is fitted from the start, Advanced Hydro estimates it can pay back its installation cost in under 18 months on fuel savings alone. In existing properties the ACP will stop further build-up, and over time existing scale may soften and partially disperse. Extended appliance life and lower maintenance costs on boilers, heat exchangers, and electric showers add further savings on top.

Yes, the Advanced Hydro ACP is particularly well-suited to London, Hertfordshire, and the wider South East, which are among the hardest water regions in the UK. London's water supply is classified as very hard, with high concentrations of calcium and magnesium drawn from chalk and limestone aquifers in the Thames and Lee river catchments. Limescale build-up in pipework, boilers, and appliances is a persistent and costly problem for homeowners, landlords, and commercial operators across the capital and surrounding counties. Over 60% of the UK water supply is classified as moderately hard or above, but the London and Home Counties area consistently records some of the highest hardness readings nationwide. Advanced Hydro's ACP has been independently tested and shown to prevent over 80% of limescale formation, making it a highly effective solution for the scale challenges common across MP Moran's trade area. Speak to your local MP Moran branch in Watford, Kilburn, Willesden, West Hampstead, Tottenham, or Kennington for advice on the right Advanced Hydro unit for your project.