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This product review features the GE GXSH40V 40,000-grain water softener.
The GXSH40V 40,000 grain water softener has been designed and manufactured by the industry leader, General Electric. Naturally, we expect a lot from such an acclaimed brand.
The softener model that we are reviewing today is one of the best manufactured by GE. It is suitable for an average household (up to five people) with hardness levels of up to 110 gpg.
If you are curious to know more about the GE GXSH40V, don’t go anywhere unless you have made it to the end.
Contents
GE 40,000-Grain Water Softener Review – Main Specs
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- For tap water and well water
- Water softener type: Salt
- Grain capacity: 40,200
- Flow rate: 9.5 gpm (2-3 bathrooms)
- Dimensions: 14” x 48” x 22” (W x D x H), 230 lbs salt storage capacity
- Water pressure: 20 to 125 psi
- NSF: 44
Highlights
At the beginning of our GE GXSH40V review, a few highlights:
Very Hard Water? The GE GXSH40V Can Handle It!
This water softener can handle as much as 110 grains per gallon hardness. This covers 99.9% of water supplies.
Smart Thinking
The GE GXSH40V tracks your water usage precisely every day. That data allows the system to always regenerate on time so you always have soft water when you need it.
Saving Resources
Demand-initiated regen cycles save water and salt. Great for the environment!
8 ppm Ferrous Iron
Up to 8 ppm clear-water iron[1] can be removed by the water softener.
Pros
- The best thing about the latest GE water softeners is the ability to save up to around one-third water and salt compared to older systems. These figures have been identified through internal testing.
- We also love the fact that the unit smartly regenerates as and when needed. It monitors current demand and predicts future requirements. This way, you always have soft water around the house without unnecessary wastage.
- The unit is NSF-certified for hardness reduction. We always appreciate certifications and testing since it backs manufacturers’ claims.
- Compared to other water softeners from leading brands, you don’t need to break the bank for the GE GXSH40V. The price is just right!
- At 9.5 gpm water flow, the unit is able to soften enough water for use around the house. Therefore, you won’t see any changes in water pressure. Yes, we mean two people can shower at the same time without an issue.
- An in-built sediment filter removes tiny particles of dust and debris. As a result, it protects your appliances from clogging. Moreover, the sediment filter is self-cleaning, so you don’t need to worry about replacements.
- Electronic controls make the water softener easy to use. For example, an indicator on the LED settings shows you how long to go before your brine tank will run out of salt. No more guesswork!
- Unlike many water softeners, the GXSH40V works on city water and well water too. Just make sure the iron content is less than 8 ppm for it to work effectively.
- Finally, the unit has an overall one-year limited warranty. Simultaneously, the control head sports a 3-year warranty, and the brine and resin tank are under warranty for ten years. That is some serious commitment.
Cons
There’s not much to complain about, but here are a few points that you should have in mind before hitting the ‘buy’ button.
- If your water is highly chlorinated, over 2 ppm, the resin bed may fail prematurely. Obviously, if it’s used in conjunction with a whole house filtration system, that won’t be an issue.
- While the system works perfectly for many users (up to ten years), some customers pointed out their units died within a year. We don’t know what caused it, but it does raise a red flag.
- We have also read about problems with the unit’s brine tank drainage. It seems to malfunction rather quickly.
- As a brand leader, GE’s customer service is not up to mark. We have come across complaints regarding high wait times on calls and unsatisfactory help from the support staff.
Installation
Thinking about installing the unit yourself? All we can say is, “why not?” It does require basic plumbing knowledge and a little patience, but you can easily set it up in a few hours.
By the way, if you are replacing an older unit, then don’t hesitate at all.
Installation difficulty: Intermediate
Time required: 3 hours
Let’s get started.
Location
Of course, selecting a suitable place for your new water softener is imperative. Here are a few key points that will help you choose the best location.
- The unit must be installed indoors in a well-ventilated area. Make sure the site is not subject to extreme temperatures, whether hot or freezing. Any damage to the system due to weather renders your warranty useless.
- It must be placed near a floor drain or drain pipe or any other drainage area that can withstand sufficient brine disposal.
- An electrical socket is essential to power the electronic head.
- Last but not least, install it at a point where water enters your house. In the case of well water, close to the pressure pump would be ideal.
Setup
Now that you have selected an appropriate place, it’s time to bring your GE GXSH40V alive. Don’t worry as we will guide you along the way.
- Start by turning off the main water supply.
- Turn off the water heater and open a few faucets around the house to drain all of the existing water.
- Remove the top cover of the single tank softener.
- Ensure the water turbine is in the proper position.
- Remove the two clips from the bypass valve inlet and outlet ports.
- Install the bypass valve onto the softener. Slide it as far as you can and use the clips to secure it.
- Now connect the incoming water line to the inlet port carefully. Similarly, connect the outgoing line to the outlet port.
- Locate the brine tank overflow grommet and elbow and install it.
- At the same time, push in the drain port elbow in the drain port.
- Now cut the desired length of ⅜-inch tubing and attach it to the drain port grommet. Secure with a cable tie or clip.
- Route it to a drain but make sure there is an air gap.
- Follow the same steps for installing the tubing from the brine tank overflow valve to the drain.
- Now, open two cold water faucets. Remember your unit must be in bypass mode.
- Turn on the main water supply and observe the water flow from the faucets.
- Turn the bypass valve to the service position.
- In order to release air, open a hot water tap for a few minutes.
- Turn off all faucets around the house.
- If there is a leakage in any fitting, fix it right away.
Once all connections are established, it’s time to fill up the brine tank with salt and water. Now is the right time to plug it in too. Voila, you are done!
Consult the manual for sanitization details and a more comprehensive explanation.
Maintenance
Apart from adding salt at frequent intervals, there’s not much to do with the water softener. Thanks to intelligent signals and alerts, it is easy to see how much salt is in the tank. It’s highly unlikely you will run dry anytime soon since the tank can carry 230 pounds of salt.
However, we recommend a complete sanitization of the system twice a year to get rid of unwanted bacterial growth and for general cleanup as well.
As far as programming is concerned, just input the settings once when you set up the unit. The system remembers your settings even in case of a power failure. You are expected to input the time, water hardness level, salt level, and time for system regeneration.
What’s Included
Here are the contents of the package.
- Single tank combining resin + brine tank
- Bypass valve
- 12 ft. drain hose
- Standard mesh resin
Installation kit
- Ground clamp kit
- Clips
- Adaptor elbow
- Hose clamps
- Installation adaptors
- O-rings
- Drain fitting and clip
- Grommet
GE GXSH40V Review – Conclusion & Best For
The GE GXSH40V is a modern water softener that actually works. Yes, a few don’t! There are hundreds of satisfied consumers that appreciate the economical price tag, smart features, easy installation, and low maintenance.
So, needless to say, we are quite impressed. If you don’t want to lose a kidney paying for soft water, opting for this sophisticated water softener could be the right decision. It’s best for the average-size home.
If you have questions about our GE GXSH40V 40,000-grain water softener review please leave a comment below!
Further Reading
- Check the 11 Best Water Softeners in 2023
- Check the 11 Best Water Softeners for Well Water in 2023
- GE Water Softener Review: GXSF30V 30,000-Grain System
Resources
Outside of his writing work, Rory enjoys photographing the Irish landscape and making music!