You've Got Questions, Life Ionizers Has the Answers

Check out some of our customer's most commonly asked questions below.

What is ORP?

ORP is a measure of anti-oxidant power. A negative ORP means that a substance can donate free electrons, making it an antioxidant. A positive ORP means that a substance steals electrons, making it an oxidant that can be harmful to your health.

Why are oxidants like 'free radicals' harmful?

Oxidants are atoms or molecules that damage other atoms or molecules by grabbing electrons from them, which often converts those other atoms into free radicals. The damage done to atoms and molecules by excessive levels of free radicals and other oxidants in the body causes substantial biological damage that leads to aging and illness.

What should I expect from drinking alkaline ionized water?

Everyone’s body is different, so ionized water’s effect on you will depend on your health.. Ionized Water gives you energy by providing hydration to support a healthy metabolism. Ionized Water is much smoother tasting than conventional water. It makes better coffee, tea, juice, etc. Alkaline Water is wonderful to cook with because it helps hydrate the food and bring out its flavor. However, other changes in your body after drinking Ionized Water may be much more subtle and take more time to occur. If your body has been ravaged by poor health, it probably took years for you to get into that condition and it will take some time to reverse it.

What is XL Matrix GRID Technology?

XL Matrix GRID Technology™ increases the time that water spends on the plates. This causes an increase of the electrical charge within the water, therefore, boosting the pH and ORP of the water by 5% to 10%.

Life Water Ionizers with XL Matrix GRID™ technology delivers an electrical current to the water through an array of positively and negatively charged Platinum coated Titanium plates. The water passes in and out of the Titanium grid system, instead of just flowing straight across like flat plates, so it picks up a greater electrical charge (especially when powered by the newer SMPS power systems). This means you get a higher pH (potential of Hydrogen) and antioxidant ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential) in every glass of alkaline water you drink!

What is Ultraviolet XL Technology?

UV (ultraviolet) light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that can kill viruses and bacteria, providing an additional layer of protection for your water. Ultraviolet disinfection of water is a chemical-free process that uses UV Light to inactivate microorganisms. The radiation destroys the genetic information contained in the DNA, so the bacteria lose their reproductive capability and are destroyed. Even parasites resistant to chemical disinfectants, such as Cryptosporidia or Giardia, are efficiently reduced by UV light.

Life Ionizers™ are the only ionizers available that offer UV Light Technology™. To ensure the maximum number of microorganisms are destroyed, we pass the water through a 9-stage filtration process before exposing it to UV light. This filtration removes large particles from the water, maximizing light transmittance through the water, increasing the UV dose, and ensuring that microorganisms are not shielded from the radiation. Filtration also ensures that the light source stays clear and strong. In fact, we guarantee our Life Ionizers™ with UV Light Technology™ will deliver UV light in doses high enough to effectively purify your water for a full five years

Who should drink alkaline ionized water?

People, pets and animals will all notice benefits from drinking Ionized Alkaline Water.

Is there anyone who should not drink alkaline ionized water?

If you have health problems, talk to your doctor first before trying alkaline water. Some people must start by drinking very small amounts of Ionized Alkaline Water, such as 8 oz. of strength level 1 (one) Ionized Alkaline Water per day. This is especially true of the elderly who often have unfortunately allowed heavy metals and other toxins to accumulate in their bodies. Sometimes years of medication has accumulated in them. Children 3 years and younger should not drink Ionized Alkaline Water. They may only drink the purified water from the Ionizer. Children between the ages of 4 years and 12 years should only drink Ionized Alkaline Water at strength level 1 (one) and strength level 2 (two). Children between the ages of 4 and 12 years of age should never drink Ionized Alkaline Water at strength level 3 (three) or strength level 4 (four).

Should I take medications or supplements with alkaline ionized water?

Due to the superior quality of ionized, alkaline, water and its enhanced hydration capabilities, we do not recommend drinking it for 30 minutes before and after taking prescription or over the counter medications. However, we highly recommend taking vitamins, supplements, nutritional powders and other nutraceuticals with alkaline water because of its enhanced absorption capabilities.

Can a person become too alkaline from drinking alkaline ionized water?

No. the amount of alkaline minerals you get from alkaline water is within FDA Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) limits. There are people all around the world that drink as much as 1 to 2 gallons of alkaline ionized water per day and have never become TOO alkaline. In fact, it is rare for a person to acquire Alkalosis, the condition of being too alkaline. For this to take place it would take either a rare defect in the human body where not enough acid is produced, or some other rare ailment. Again, this would be very rare and it is most likely you would be well aware of this if it is something that is affecting you. One of the most common imbalances people suffer from today leading to health problems is that they are too acidic. Our goal should be to have our body pH at approximately 7.3 (measured through saliva or urine).

How much water should I drink and at what level?

You should drink half your body weight in ounces per day. For example, a person weighing 100 pounds should drink 50 ounces. You should start slow at strength Level 1 (one), drinking 1-3 glasses per day for the first week. You may increase the number of glasses per day during the first week if you do not notice any side effects. If you do not feel any flu like symptoms at the end of the first week, move up to strength Level 2 (two). On strength Level 2 (two), drink 1-3 glasses per day for the first week. You may increase the number of glasses per day during the first week if you’re feeling good. On average, two to three weeks per level; work your way up to a 10.5 pH (strength Level 4 (four). The higher the strength level of Ionized Water you can drink, the better it is for you because the water is more Alkaline, more Detoxifying, and a stronger Antioxidant.

When will I begin to notice the health benefits?

It varies from person to person. You might start noticing a positive response in as little as one day or within a few weeks.

Why do some people have flu-like symptoms when first drinking alkaline ionized water?

If you start drinking Ionized Alkaline Water at a high level (high pH level), you might notice flu like symptoms. Alkaline water is a lot more hydrating than plain water. That gives it the ability to flush toxins out of your system quickly. It is this detoxifying effect that sometimes gives people headaches and diarrhea, and why there are 4 levels of alkaline water to choose from.

How does alkaline ionized water stay ionized?

The Antioxidant (hydroxyl ions) will last approximately 18-24 hours. The Higher pH (alkaline properties) will last approximately 1-2 weeks.

How does alkaline ionized water affect athletes?

In an extremely positive way, as you might expect. Alkaline water buffers the acetic acid that builds up in the muscles during a workout. This increases stamina, endurance and enables the muscle tissue and organs to get higher amounts of oxygen. Proper hydration sustains the body’s physiological responses in all activities, but the physical and mental stresses of athletic training and competition magnify the importance of hydration. Numerous studies conducted on athletes since the 1940s have demonstrated that even mild dehydration impairs performance. Current thought is that athletes consuming a traditional Western diet have consumed an abundance of salt, so there is no need to replace salt when exercise last less than two hours. Water that has been alkalinized may help neutralize the exercise induced acidosis (lactic acid build up), since the pH of alkaline water is high.

How do I know when the filters need to be replaced?

An LED or counter indicator on the front panel gives an indication of remaining filter life. Generally the 1st filter will last for about 8 months, the 2nd filter for about 12 months (when 2.5 gallons of water is produced per day), but this depends on the source of water and the amount of use. For example, if your tap water contains between 0.4 and 1.0 ppm (parts per million) of chlorine, a filter can last 12 months for one person’s use. If greater than 1.0 ppm, the filter may last 8 months. A family of four on a typical North American water supply will replace the 1st filter about every 8 months. By changing your filters at regular intervals, you are assured of the inner hygiene of the filter.

Does alkaline ionized water have any negative effects?

Absolutely none, as long as it is used properly. Only the Alkaline Water should be consumed. Do not drink the acidic water.

How does an alkaline water ionizer work?

Water ionizers filter water and then ionize it using a process called Two-Chamber Membrane Electrodialysis. LIFE Ionizers begins this process by filtering out harmful components from your water with our built-in dual filter system, which removes chlorine, trihalomethanes, phenols, sediment, odor, taste, and organic waste.

Then the filtered water passes into the electrodialysis chamber which is equipped with platinum-coated titanium plates and ion-permeable membranes. Here, an electrical charge is introduced into the water. This is where the ionization takes place. The water is separated into two streams (acid and alkaline) of ionized water. Alkaline water is created at the negative electrode. Positively charged ions gather at the negative electrode and create alkaline water, which consists of alkaline minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium from the source water, and hydroxyl ions, which give alkaline water it’s antioxidant potential. Negatively charged ions gather at the positive electrode and make acid or oxidized water, which consists mostly of a dilute solution of carbonic acid. The acid water’s high oxidation potential makes it a good sterilizing agent, ideal for washing your hands, cleaning food or kitchen utensils, and treating minor wounds and eczema.

Is it true that nano-coating technology creates a denser layer of platinum?

No! Nano means “extremely small or thin.” Nano spray is just a marketing term to cover up the fact that the plates are robotically sprayed and the actual coating is very thin, much thinner than companies that “dip” their plates in platinum. A “Nano coated” electrodes’ life much is shorter than a dipped electrode.

Why does platinum plate thickness matter?

The thickness of the plate coating determines how durable the plates are. The thicker the coating, the longer the plates will last.

What should be done if the machine is not to be used for 7 days or more?

Remove the filter from the main body, wrap in plastic wrapping, and store in a refrigerator. Remove the power plug. When ready to use again, install the filter and run in the Ionizer in the ‘PURiFIED’ mode for approx. 3 minutes before using the water.

What does it mean when water flows through the main body and becomes warm?

At the start of water flow, warm water may flow out due to room temperature or heat from the main body during stoppage. This is not a malfunction. Use the machine after starting water flow.

There are white substances on the bottom of my alkaline ionized water storage container - what is it?

This phenomenon is caused by the calcium mineral substances in alkaline ionized water. The mineral hydroxides generated by a water ionizer are hydrophobic – they don’t dissolve well in water . It is safe to drink, but to wash the container – add one spoon of edible vinegar and water to the container, leave the container for approximately 1 hour, and wash the container.

What is hard water?

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, more than 85 percent of the United States geography has hard water. Hard water forms when naturally occurring minerals enter water sources. Over time these minerals are absorbed by groundwater. The two most common types of minerals found in hard water are calcium and magnesium compounds. The Water Quality Association of the United States defines hard water as water containing dissolved hardness minerals above 1 GPG (grains per gallon). The most common hardness causing minerals are Calcium and Magnesium. Levels of hardness are classified as follows:

  • Soft Water – less than 1 GPG
  • Slightly hard – 1 to 3.5 GPG
  • Moderately hard – 3.5 to 7 GPG
  • Hard – 7 to 10.5 GPG
  • Very Hard – 10.5 and higher GPG

How do I adjust the volume on my alkaline water ionizer?

M-Series, The “Function” button on the top of the unit changes the choices from the main menu. Press the “Function” button on the top of the unit one time to get into the volume menu; you will see on the display panel in ‘white’ letters “Fn1”. Press the “1st Filter” button located on the top of the unit to lower the volume. Press the “2nd Filter” button located on the top of the unit to increase the volume. Pressing either of the “Filter” buttons multiple times will increase or decrease the volume.

Why do I want to adjust the amperage on my alkaline water ionizer?

As you know, all water sources are not created equal. Your water source plays an important role on how your water Ionizer creates Ionized Alkaline Water. Being able to adjust the amperage will allow you to find the optimum pH for the best production of alkaline ionized water based on your water source.

How do I adjust the amperage on my water ionizer?

M-Series: The “Function” button on the top of the unit changes the choices from the main menu. Press the “Function” button on to the top of the unit two times to get into the amperage menu; you will see on the display panel in ‘white’ letters “Fn2”. Press the “1st Filter” button located on the top of the unit to lower the amperage. Press the “2nd Filter” button located on the top of the unit to increase the volume. Pressing either of the “Filter” buttons multiple times will increase or decrease the amperage.

Do I need to hire a plumber to install the unit(s)?

Most people find it is not necessary to call a plumber for most standard installations. For custom installations, a plumber may be needed depending on the individual circumstances.

What do I do if the filters are leaking?

It is important to note where on the filter it is leaking. Most leaking comes from fittings that are not seated properly. Reseat the tubing into the filter by pushing in firmly and then pulling back. It may be necessary to re-trim the end of the tubing to get a fresh surface. Make sure to shut off the water before working with the water supply lines.

How do I set up the pre-filter unit?

The pre-filter is installed in the supply line on the ionizer. Quick connects are provided for your convenience. Simply push the tubing in the connector and it seals automatically. When installing the filter for the first time, it is suggested to let the filter fill with water for a few minutes before turning on the ionizer.

How do I know what pre-filter I need?

A water report is necessary to determine what type of filter is needed. Most municipal water districts have water reports free of charge on the internet. Well water may need to be tested by an independent water testing company. If you can not find a water report for the area the necessary information, please contact your sales representative.

How do I clean the internal plates?

You use Life’s citric acid cleaning cartridge. Simply follow the instructions that come with the cartridge. We recommend you run a cleaning cartridge every time you change your filters.

What is the product warranty?

The warranty that is in effect at the time the machine is purchased is the one that is honored. Our warranty center is in the USA for your convenience. We are the oldest and largest distributors of alkaline home, commercial and industrial water ionizers in North America with the finest quality service second to none. We value our customers and are very grateful for referrals. This is why we promote such a generous return policy and why we can do with confidence based on 13 years of growth and happy testimonials. Warranty does not cover repairs caused by customer neglect or by failure to stop the build-up of calcium in hard water areas. We attempt to determine if you have hard water in your area and if you do, please notify your salesperson at any time and we will provide you with a Free hard water filter and housing. This advanced hard water filter restructures the minerals so that they do not build-up scale on the ionizer components. We also supply 5 stage reverse osmosis units for our customers in hard water areas – these are provided at less than wholesale costs. Neglect includes using the unit in a manner inconsistent with the directions in the owner’s manual, as well as breakage resulting from dropping the unit or other carelessness.

View our warranty & return policy.