Reducing water hardness

[snowbird]

Has anyone had problems with hard water at your house? What have you done about it?

The plumber suggested putting in a device to reduce the hardness (which I believe means high levels of calcium carbonate and magnesium) in the house water supply. It's not the traditional water softening approach based on adding salt to the water. Instead the device works by passing the water through magnetic fields and this is supposed to keep the calcium and magnesium suspended in the water, rather than forming deposits in the plumbing and appliances.

Any thoughts on if this alternative technology is plausible? I'm a little skeptical since the major retailers don't carry this kind of system and the big manufaturers like GE and Whirlpool seem to be sticking with the water softener approach, but if this alternative is credible it would be a lot easier than a water softening system.

I've attached a link to the manufacturer website. Thanks for any thoughts!

http://www.halowater.com/ION%20Detail.htm