High iron can ruin water softeners. It tends to cling to resin even with backwashing, decreasing its efficiency over time. In the past, the only solution has been to install a separate iron filter at a significant cost.
But Whirlpool’s come up with an affordable, all-in-one solution that tackles both iron and the toughest hard minerals and why it’s our top buyers guide.
If you have an iron problem but crave softer water, let’s explore why Whirlpool’s WHES40E 40-000 Grain Water Softener may be the answer you’ve been looking for.
Whirlpool WHES40E Water Softener
Enjoy the many benefits of soft water with Whirlpool’s 40,000-grain softener. Ideal for large families, it removes up to 125 ppm of hardness plus 10 ppm of ferrous iron — dishes rinse cleaner, clothes stay brighter and limescale stains on your bathroom fixtures just fade away.
Engineered for convenience, this softener houses both resin and salt tanks in one sleek cabinet, saving as much as 25-percent on floor space over traditional two-tank models. The digital control panel is intuitive to operate and features a low-salt indicator light, eliminating guesswork.
You’ll save money and lower your utility bills with Whirlpool’s salt-saving regeneration technology — it measures water consumption and regenerates only when necessary. The integrated bypass valve lets you route water around the softener for outdoor applications like washing the car, further saving salt and preserving the life of the resin. The WHES40E is one smart, efficient system.
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Pros
- Competitive price
- NSF certified
- On-demand regeneration
- Low-salt warning indicator
- Straightforward installation
Cons
- Full warranty requires additional purchase
Top FAQs
Q: What is a 40,000-grain water softener?
A: 40,000-grain water softener is one that removes 40,000 grains of hardness between regeneration cycles. The WHES40E is ideal for homes with high levels of hardness and heavy water use.
Q: How do I know what grain water softener to use?
A: Multiply the number of people in your home by their average daily water consumption — 100 gallons is the norm. Multiply the result by your water’s hardness level in grains per gallon, and that tells you how many grains of hardness need to be removed daily. Multiply that figure by seven — an efficient interval for regeneration — and it shows you which size softener to buy.
Q: What size water softener do I need for a family of four?
A: Using the above formula, consider this example:
4 (family members) × 100 (gallons of water use daily) × 10 (grains per gallon of hardness) = 4,000 (grains of hardness to remove daily) 4000 × 7 (days between regeneration cycles) = 28,000 (total grains to remove weekly) If you use more gallons, add more people or have harder water, the final tally increases, and you need a higher-grain softener. Whirlpool’s WHES40E is designed for six people or more with moderately hard to hard water.
Q: How long do Whirlpool water softeners last?
A: Whirlpool’s softening resin should last ten years, depending on your water quality. Customers report them lasting up to twenty years under gentle conditions. Resin is replaceable, so if the cabinet and control panel is in good condition, it can last indefinitely.
My Take
If you’ve had a bad experience with conventional water softeners, this Whirlpool’s going to rock your world. Features from programming to maintenance are streamlined for simplicity, performance and reliability. And if you need to install it in basement living space, it looks more like a high-end appliance than garage equipment.
It costs a few dollars more up front, but salt and energy savings drive down the long-term cost of ownership, and the quality construction speaks for itself. It’s a stress-free purchase from installation to use and an unbeatable value.
Whirlpool WHES40E Features
If a water softener is the sum of its features, let’s see if the Whirlpool WHES40E has what it takes to solve your unique hard water problems.
Contaminants Filtered
The WHES40E removes:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Iron up to 10 ppm
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Flow rate
Flow rate is a measure of how fast water moves through a softener. If the flow is too slow, you’ll notice a difference in water pressure when more than one tap is open.
The average water softener offers a generous 6–7 gpm flow rate, enough to keep a shower at full pressure when the kids flush the toilet. The WHES40E goes above and beyond with an 8.5 GPM flow rate, making it perfect for homes with multiple bathrooms.
Regeneration Efficiency
Water softeners use salt every time they regenerate — it’s the salty brine water that keeps resin fresh.
But old-school water softeners regenerated on a timer whether it needed it or not, using far more salt and water than necessary. It’s no wonder they had a reputation for requiring continual maintenance.
The Whirlpool WHES40Eis salt miser. It measures your water consumption and regenerates only on-demand. You’ll do less maintenance and spend less on electricity, water and salt.
Certifications
Water softeners aren’t regulated, so how can consumers know if they’ll perform as promised? The answer is choosing is NSF-certified products.
The NSF certification program is voluntary — companies pay for independent testing to show their softeners perform as advertised, and monitoring is annual. The fees are significant, so manufacturers that participate are incentivized to produce a top-quality product. NSF certification is just another way customers know they’re getting what they pay for when they buy a Whirlpool brand softener.
Safety Features
Whirlpool softeners have two noteworthy safety features. The first is a shut-off valve that turns the softener off if it malfunctions, preventing messy overflows.
The second is a flashing low-salt indicator. Running a softener without salt on occasion won’t damage it, but it won’t remove minerals either, allowing limescale to form.
Design
The WHESF40E measures 18 inches wide by 19-inches deep and just under 48 inches from the bottom to the top of the control panel. The salt reservoir stands at 39.5 inches, a comfortable height for loading salt.
Whirlpool softeners are geared for DIY installation. Instructions are straightforward, and a technical support video is featured on their website. Whirlpool does not require professional installation to honor the warranty.
Help & Support
Whirlpool has a stellar record for customer support. In the business since 1911, they produce replacement parts and have a full line of accessories.
The WHESF40E comes with a full 1-year warranty for parts and labor — two years if you purchase three bottles of their proprietary softener cleaner. Use it every four months to keep the system in top condition.
Final Thoughts
Hard water can wreak havoc in your home, but the cure doesn’t have to be worse than the problem. Whirlpool’s WHESF40E 40,000-grain water softener is an affordable, hassle-free fix.
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