Do you plan to purchase a water softener, and you’re intimidated by numerous brands online? Perhaps you’ve seen Whirlpool vs GE Water Softeners reviews, and they piqued your interest. Both brands are known to deliver high-performing water softener products that are profitable for your family.
What are Whirlpool water softeners famous for? They offer salt-saving technology and space-saving dimensions. Thus, Whirlpool can also aestheticize your home while serving its purpose.
In terms of straightforward smart softening mechanisms and energy conservation, GE water softeners are the perfect pick.
Torn between these two incredible brands? Scroll down to read the factors you must consider before buying a brand-new water softener for your family!
Table of Contents
Whirlpool Vs GE Water Softener Comparison Review
Whirlpool and GE are some of the biggest names in the water-softening system manufacturing industry. If you type the keywords “Water softener reviews GE vs Whirlpool water softener”, you’ll probably see tons of patronizers of these two prominent brands.
Both brands offer the most efficient and modern water softener technology in the market today. What sets them apart from each other? Let’s delve into the details and learn more about GE vs Whirlpool Water Softener Distinct Features :
GE Water Softener Features
GE Appliances’ top priority and trademark are to deliver appliances that promote energy conservation. Hence, it is no wonder the popularity of GE water softeners has skyrocketed.
Aside from being famous for their ergonomic salt tank design that provides an adequate salt storage capacity, GE water softeners also offer cutting-edge hardware like no other :
1. Self Cleaning Sediment Filter
This commendable feature allows you to remove sediment from the resin tank completely. The filter sieves the sediments and dirt particles from the incoming water that flows through the resin tank (mechanical filtration).
After the regeneration cycle, water is flushed from the resin tank and rinsed over the filter. Therefore, activating the self-cleaning mechanism while producing soft water throughout your home. Generally, self-cleaning water filters utilize water pressure across the inlet and outlet valves of the entire system to clean themselves.
Having a filtered water softener disregards the need for a separate sediment filter. It also means that you don’t need routine maintenance; The built-in self-cleaning sediment filter ensures maximum hardness removal filtering capacity, making your plumbing system and appliances damage-free from hard minerals.
2. SmartSoft Water-Saving Software
Have you heard about the smart softening process of GE Appliances? While the title seems intimidating upon hearing it for the first time, this “SmartWater” feature provides a straightforward solution on how you can soften hard water and conserve energy at the same time.
It allows the water softener to function according to your water usage pattern. If you opt for a budget-friendly water softener, you might find GE GXSF30V 30,000 grain water softener to your liking. If you’re a family of 4, this model is usually sufficient for daily water needs.
It uses sensors that monitor your water usage, and by using demand-initiated regeneration technology, salt, and water usage are decreased. It means that your water softener will only regenerate when necessary. Thus, reducing the frequency of maintenance costs.
3. Custom Select Blending Valve
GE water softeners give consumers the ability to control the softness level of their household water. With the use of the Custom Select Blending Valve, you can customize the output of your soft water.
The custom select valve is an exclusive feature of GE Appliances that allows you to adjust the softness of your water supply by simply twisting the knob located near the bypass valve at the back of your unit.
Whirlpool Water Softener Features
Just like GE water softeners, Whirlpool water softeners are among the most sought after salt-based system technologies in the market today.
Whirlpool water softeners offer different configurations. Each model presents a unique and physically enhanced tank and features to suit your lifestyle :
1. Sixth Sense Technology and Demand Initiated Regeneration Software
Whirlpool WHES water softener models are integrated with salt-saving “Sixth Sense” technology. It includes impressive smart sensors that “learn and predict” how much salt is required for every regeneration based on your water hardness level. Therefore, less salt will be used in the brine tank.
This intuitive feature is often paired with demand-initiated tank regeneration. These two combined will provide maximum energy efficiency and the efficacy of the water-softening process. Therefore, providing you best-tasting soft water.
These impeccable features can be seen in the WHES40 40,000 grain water softener; It uses high flow valves that ensure optimal flow rates. Moreover, it comes with low salt indicator light, minimizing the hassle of deciding how often you should recharge your brine tank.
2. Minimalist Design
Whirlpool softeners are known to have space-friendly exteriors. Whirlpool launched a 30,000-grain water softener with a single-tank combination design that can be fitted with various places around your home. Hence, this is the best salt-saving technology, perfect for homes that have limited space.
Unlike a combo tank system, this 30,000-grain water softener offers a sixth sense and demand-initiated regeneration technology with combined brine and resin tank in one compact unit. It has a low salt light indicator, and this model is ideal for a family of 2 to 3 members.
3. Power Outage Memory
What most water softener owners fear the most is a power outage. If you’re worried about how you can restore your water softener system, Whirlpool has fixed this problem for you. The WHES30 and WHes20 models have a memory retainer function.
If you experience a sudden power outage in your area, your water softener will automatically shut off. But these whirlpool water softeners have a “memory” program built into the timer circuitry and will “remember” and keep the settings for up to 8 hours.
Once the power is restored, you just have to reset “present time” only if the display is flashing in the control head.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Water Softener Unit for Your Home
1. Grain Rating Of Your Water Supply
The first question that you should ask yourself is, “How hard is my water at home?” After all, determining the grain rating of your water supply will help you find a water softener with the appropriate grain capacity that can accommodate the total hardness.
Your next question must be, “How would I know how much magnesium and calcium minerals are in my water?” You can use a hard water testing kit. You can purchase it from home improvement stores.
It contains a test strip and a color chart. Each color represents a corresponding hardness level expressed in grains per gallon (gpg). Typically, water hardness is measured in four classifications: soft (0-3 gpg), moderately hard (3-7 gpg), hard (7-11 gpg), and extremely hard (a hardness level higher than 11 gpg).
The most common way to know if your water is hard is to check the soapsuds. Soaps don’t produce a good lather in hard water. Checking your local city water provider is an alternative way to determine your water hardness if you’re anxious about what might go wrong with your drinking water.
You can ask for a water quality report and you’ll see the detected hardness range and contaminants present on your hard water.
2. Flow Rate
How important is the flow rate to your buying decision? The flow rate of a water softener can help produce soft water excellently as long as the water softener is compatible with your plumbing system.
A high flow rate water softener is not always necessary in general households. You will only need to consider it if you have larger properties with large feed systems. Flow rates are measured in gallons per minute (GPM). And the flow rate of a water softener is determined by the total maximum flow rate of the control valve that can physically flow.
If you have a small water softener and use different fixtures simultaneously, water pressure will fluctuate. Therefore, flow rates can change abruptly, causing hard water and iron to sneak into your water supply.
So, how do you know how much flow rate will you need in water softening systems? Add the maximum flow rates of fixtures you could use simultaneously (eg. 2 toilets + 1 showerhead + 1 faucet).
Toilets will normally use 2.2 to 5.0 GPM, while faucets have a maximum flow rate of 2.5 GPM to 3.0 GPM. Lastly, showerheads use 2.5 to 5.0 GPM. If you’re going to base the water usage on their minimum flow rate, you’ll get 7.2 GPM. It means that you need a water softener with a 7 GPM flow rate capacity.
Typically, single households only need 6-7 GPM, while larger homes require approximately 15 GPM. But please take note that old plumbing systems can restrict the water flow.
Identifying the flow rate of household plumbing fixtures you use each day will help you decide what kind of water softener best serves your daily water needs.
3. Size of Water Softener
The general rule is that the bigger the softener, the bigger salt storage capacity it has, the higher level of hardness it can combat. Additionally, larger systems can create enough brine solutions for the regeneration process. But you have to pay more money for the upfront cost.
On the other hand, an undersized water softener requires a frequent regeneration cycle. But if you want to size a water softener properly, multiply the number of people residing in your house by the gallons of water they consume every day.
On average, each person uses 80-100 gallons of water per day. If you’re in doubt, go up a size for a residential system with higher specifications. A 40,000-grain water softener will most likely accommodate 4-6 people.
4. Number of Water-using Appliances In Use
Home appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, coffeemakers, washing machines are typical in every household. Having a small water softener can’t cope with many appliances and fixtures, most especially if they are all used at once.
Therefore, knowing what home fixtures and appliances you use at home is critical in deciding about GE vs Whirlpool Water Softener for your hard water treatment.
Conclusion
How was Whirlpool vs GE Water Softeners discussion? I hope you have learned the standout features of both high-end brands. These two reputable products provide modern technologies that are user-friendly and performance-driven.
Before dwelling on your thoughts about GE vs Whirlpool Water Softeners, don’t forget to consider your home’s water consumption. Always keep track of how many gallons of water your family uses per day.
Any questions or suggestions? Kindly insert them in the comment section below.
I am Natalie Bridges. You can call me Nat. I am the content creator of Saveourh2o. My main job is researching common concerns you need help with, and about your home’s water system. I aspire to incorporate Ronald’s experiences, and customers’ feedback on different products, as well as expert’s advice to offer you the most informative content.