Cleaner water is water that leaves minimal residue. The Reimers kit reduces hardness in water that would settle as minerals in your boiler. Settled minerals cause damage to steel and components, and to the effectiveness of the heat transfer. Any boiler size can be fitted with the kit. In general the more makeup water required the less time the active element will be effective. In many steam or hot water installations the water is in a closed loop. Minimal makeup is needed and the life of the element will be months to years. Reimers provides test ports and testing strips to monitor the water quality. A meter tracks water flow and helps predict when a replacement element will be needed.