The formation of scale on heat transfer surfaces in cooling water systems is a frequent engineering problem. The present paper deals with the scaling process of calcium carbonate on a copper modified heat transfer surface with low surface energy-electroless plating (ELP) surface. The induction period of calcium carbonate scaling is investigated. The results indicate that an ELF surface can reduce the scaling rate and prolong the induction period compared with a copper surface. The scaling rate increases and the induction period is reduced with increasing initial surface temperature and fluid velocity. During the induction period, calcite was formed on ELF surface under experimental conditions, the crystal grains formed on the ELF surface were larger in size than that formed on copper surface, and the distribution of the grains on the ELF surface was different between the upstream and downstream regions. There were more grains formed in the downstream region. The outmost surface morphology of calcium carbonate scale is also studied.