For anyone who lives in an area with hard water, a water softener is a necessity of life. Hard water can quickly wear down your appliances, clothing, and bathroom fixtures. To help you decide which water softener is the right choice for you, we have reviewed the Whirlpool water softener. Whirlpool manufactures water softeners in multiple sizes to accommodate different size households. It also has a water softener with a whole-home water filter included. We will take a look at the Model WHES30, their most popular model, and note the capacities of their other models.<\/p>\n
[amazon box=”B004TT8J3I”]<\/p>\n
A Whirlpool water softener is a mechanical appliance that is attached to your home’s water supply. It uses a process called ion exchange to remove the minerals that make the water hard, usually calcium and magnesium, and replace them with sodium. This exchange occurs in a tank containing polystyrene beads, called the resin tank. These beads have a negative charge. When hard water passes through the tank, the calcium and magnesium minerals, with their positive charge, are attracted to the beads and pulled out of the water.<\/p>\n
Next, a strong brine solution passes through the resin tank. Sodium also has a positive charge, so the hard minerals that are attracted to the beads are replaced by the sodium and go down the drain. This is a very effective method for softening hard water. However, it does leave a faint salty taste to the water that some people may not like.<\/p>\n
All water softeners<\/a> must have a regeneration period during which the tanks are backflushed and cleaned. On some models, this is done automatically, and with others, it can be programmed or timed. Soft water may or may not be available during regeneration, depending upon the model.<\/p>\n Look for the following signs that you have hard water.<\/p>\n If you have any of these problems in your home, you can purchase a water testing kit from home stores or try one of many do-it-yourself tests found online.<\/p>\n The model WHES30 is a 30,000-grain water softener. It is a single-tank design and connects to plumbing up to one inch in diameter. The single-tank design is a great feature as it takes less space than the two-tank models. Other specs include:<\/p>\n If you need a larger water softener, Whirlpool carries the following models with different capacities:<\/p>\n It pays to shop around and compare prices for the Whirlpool model WHES30 water softener. Depending upon where you purchase, prices range from $330 to $550. It can be found at home supply stores, appliance stores, and online.<\/p>\n There are numerous water softener products on the market in a wide variety of configurations and price points. We will take a look at a few of Whirlpool’s direct competitors in a similar price range and compare features, ease of use, and cost.<\/p>\n [amazon box=”B00BT9UCMM”]<\/p>\n This is a single-tank, 30,000 grain-water softener that is often sold in home supply stores side-by-side with Whirlpool models. We give it the following ratings.<\/p>\n This water softener has a programmable operation that allows you to set the recharging schedule, or it can adapt to your usage pattern. The Days to Empty indicator lets you know when it’s time to refill the salt tank. The controls are in a convenient location and easy to program.<\/p>\n As far as water softeners go, this one installs fairly quickly and is not overly complicated. For homeowners who have no plumbing experience or who are cautious about taking on a plumbing job, calling a professional is a good option. For anyone with a bit of handyman skills, this job will take a couple of hours.<\/p>\n Both consumers and professionals alike approve of the GE water softener. It is made of high-quality components and seems to last well. There are a few complaints about O-ring failure, which is an easy repair.<\/p>\n This appliance has a one-year parts and labor warranty, a three-year warranty for the electronic monitor, and a ten-year warranty on the resin tank. This is a generous warranty and should keep homeowners well-covered.<\/p>\n [amazon box=”B000UEYXMM”]<\/p>\n Another single-tank water softener, this system is a 36,400 grain and is also available at home and appliance stores. A nice feature of this tank is the built-in sediment filter and a safety shut-off system. We give it the following ratings.<\/p>\n Once installed, the Waterboss pretty much runs itself. It has a four-button controller that shows the gallons of water remaining until the next automatic regeneration and the regeneration cycle number during the process. The controller measures water usage based upon need, not time, so you don’t have to change settings for extra guests or vacations.<\/p>\n This is not a complicated installation for anyone with a little do-it-yourself experience. A handy person can set it up in two or three hours.<\/p>\n While many customers are pleased with their Waterboss 900, it does garner a few more complaints than the GE model above. A frequent concern is that the Waterboss begins to need repairs around the two- to three-year mark and that at five years it breaks down completely and needs to be replaced. This is compared to other water softeners that last ten years or more.<\/p>\n Waterboss offers a three-year warranty on any defective mechanical or electrical part and a ten-year warranty on the media tank, valve body, and brine cabinet. All effective parts must be sent to Waterboss at the owner’s expense, and replacement parts will be shipped, also at the owner’s expense.<\/p>\n [amazon box=”B01MTYOC60″]<\/p>\n This is a two-tank water softener, so it requires more space than the single-tank models above. You can purchase it online directly from the Fleck company, but that is the most expensive way to do it. It is better to search for other online sources or mom-and-pop companies that carry Fleck products. We give it the following ratings.<\/p>\n This Fleck model has a solid-state computer control with four modes of operation: immediate meter regeneration, delayed meter regeneration, delayed time clock regeneration, and day or week regeneration. This gives you great flexibility in adjusting the regeneration schedule. The display shows the gallons of soft water remaining, allowing you to plan accordingly.<\/p>\n This water softener is an easy project for anyone with a few tools and a little experience with plumbing. It should take just a few hours to install.<\/p>\n Fleck has an outstanding brand reputation. It is the gold standard of water softeners. This water softener has high customer ratings, excellent customer service, and longevity.<\/p>\n The Fleck warranty is five years for the control unit and 10 years for the tank. This is an outstanding warranty and one of the best in the industry.<\/p>\n [amazon box=”B016DXLMCM”]<\/p>\n A single-tank 32,000-grain water softener, this Kenmore water softener is available at an attractive price point for households of up to six persons. It’s best for moderately hard water, removing hardness of up to 45 gpg. It’s a high-efficiency model that uses 35% less salt and 37% less water. We give it the following ratings.<\/p>\n This model is easy to program, and the lighted LCD screen tells you when to refill the salt and how many gallons of water you have left. There is also a monitoring system that tracks daily water usage.<\/p>\n This water softener is similar to other single-tank softeners in installation. It’s not a difficult process, but it will take a little time and plumbing know-how.<\/p>\n Kenmore is a reliable brand overall, and this water softener seems to have a good, long life where the mechanicals are concerned. Most consumer complaints relate to the electronic control board, which is prone to fail prematurely.<\/p>\n This Kenmore softener comes with a one-year limited parts and labor warranty, and a ten-year warranty against tank leaks. This is an average warranty. The main concern is that there is no warranty on the electronics past one year.<\/p>\n This is a solid-performing water softener. If you are looking for an affordable, space-saving model, this is a good choice.<\/p>\n Pros<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Cons<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Product<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n Details<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n [amazon fields=”B00BT9UCMM” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]<\/p>\n [amazon link=”B00BT9UCMM” title=”\u200bGE Model GXSF30V” \/]<\/p>\n<\/td>\n Price<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n [amazon fields=”B00BT9UCMM” value=”button” button_text=”Buy on Amazon”]<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Ease of Use:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Assembly Time:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Build Quality:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Warranty: <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n [amazon fields=”B000UEYXMM” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]<\/p>\n [amazon link=”B000UEYXMM” title=”Waterboss Model 900″ \/]<\/p>\n<\/td>\n Price<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n [amazon fields=”B000UEYXMM” value=”button” button_text=”Buy on Amazon”]<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Ease of Use:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Assembly Time:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Build Quality:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Warranty: <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n [amazon fields=”B01MTYOC60″ value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]<\/p>\n [amazon link=”B01MTYOC60″ title=”Fleck Model 5600SXT” \/]<\/p>\n<\/td>\n Price<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n [amazon fields=”B01MTYOC60″ value=”button” button_text=”Buy on Amazon”]<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Ease of Use:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Assembly Time:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Build Quality:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Warranty: <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n [amazon fields=”B016DXLMCM” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]<\/p>\n [amazon link=”B016DXLMCM” title=”Kenmore Model 38350″ \/]<\/p>\n<\/td>\n Price<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n [amazon fields=”B016DXLMCM” value=”button” button_text=”Buy on Amazon”]<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Ease of Use:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Assembly Time:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Build Quality:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Warranty: <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\nHow To Tell if You Need a Water Softener<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Product Specifications<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Capacities of Other Whirlpool Models<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Pricing<\/h2>\n
Product Comparison<\/h2>\n
[amazon link=”B00BT9UCMM” title=”GE Model GXSF30V” \/]<\/h3>\n
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[amazon link=”B000UEYXMM” title=”Waterboss Model 900″ \/]<\/h3>\n
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[amazon link=”B01MTYOC60″ title=”Fleck Model 5600SXT” \/]<\/h3>\n
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[amazon link=”B016DXLMCM” title=”Kenmore Model 38350″ \/]<\/h3>\n
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Pros and Cons of the Whirlpool Water Softener<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Comparison Table<\/h2>\n
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