Know more about Whirlpool® water softeners through these Frequently Asked Questions. If you have further questions, call 1-866-986-3223 or email us at info@ecodynewatertreatment.com.
What is the difference between an 'old' and 'new' water softener?
There are a variety of substantive differences, among them:
Size: A 'two tank' structure is common for products utilizing older softener technology.
Typically two tank units are built by separate companies at separate facilities and the components are not designed and integrated to
work together efficiently. These two tank models also consume more floor space than single tank cabinet unit.
The Whirlpool® line of water softeners are all single tank softeners and are designed,
engineered and assembled at the same plant in the United States, ensuring the highest levels of quality and performance.
Salt Efficiency: A softener uses salt to regenerate, or 'clean' itself of the hardness particles it collects during
regular operation. Older softener technology utilizes a timer and regenerates at regular intervals regardless
of water consumption. However, Whirlpool® softeners regenerate only when needed based on your family's water use,
a process called Demand Initiated Regeneration. The use of this technology greatly reduces the amount of water and salt
Whirlpool® units will consume.
Warranty: Many older softeners will come with warranties that can sound appealing.
However, these warranties are usually for the parts and material only and frequently require a
trip charge or other hidden costs. Whirlpool® units come with a 1 year parts and labor warranty,
meaning that if anything goes wrong in the first year of ownership the parts and labor required
to fix the product are provided at no extra charge to the consumer.
What makes Whirlpool® softeners more salt efficient than other models?
Softeners require salt to regenerate, or 'clean' itself of the hardness particles it collects during regular operation.
The amount of salt used in this process is called a 'salt dose'. Most other softeners have a defined salt dose,
meaning they have to be set either on 'high capacity' or 'high efficiency'.
When it is set to 'high capacity' the unit will regenerate less frequently but use a significant amount of salt to regenerate.
When it is set on high efficiency, it will use less salt per cleaning cycle, but must regenerate more frequently.
Either way, the unit will consume a significant amount of salt and water. Whirlpool® units employ a 'variable salt dose',
meaning the amount of salt used to clean the system will vary depending on the amount of hardness the system has collected.
Similar to the benefits of Demand Initiated Regeneration, this variable salt dose process results in a significant reduction
in the amount of salt and water the system will use.
Whirlpool® units also include an exclusive feature that 'learns' the consumer's water usage patterns and employ a predictive algorithm
to anticipate the amount of water and hardness particles that will run through it. This feature allows the system to regenerate when
it is most efficient and also prevents the consumer from running out of soft water.
Finally, Whirlpool® units are certified by NSF, an independent third party, for structural integrity, grain capacity and efficiency.
Other units may carry the NSF certification, but they are commonly certified for structural integrity only, not efficiency or capacity.
What does the grain capacity of a water softener mean?
The rated capacity of a softener is the maximum number of grains of water hardness the unit can remove prior to regeneration.
How is the "hardness" of water measured?
The hardness of water is measured in grains per gallon (gpg). One grain of hardness is equal to 1/7000 lb. of rock. Your municipal water supply may measure water hardness in mg/L or ppm. One grain per gallon is equal to 17.1 mg/L or 17.1 ppm.
How do I find out my water hardness?
You can call your municipality if you use city water or purchase a water test kit.
Does the salt soften my water?
No, the resin bed inside the softener is what softens the water, and over time that resin becomes coated with hardness particles. When that happens, the softener goes into its regeneration cycle and the salt in the tank is mixed with incoming water to rid the resin bed of these hardness particles. After regeneration the unit is then ready to provide a steady stream of soft water to your entire home.
What type of salt should I use?
A clean pellet or nugget style salt is recommended. Other types of salt are available for specialized applications. Whirlpool® water softeners use less salt than most competitive models.
Water
Hardness
Level†
|
| |
Number of Persons Per Home |
| |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| 10 |
5 Bags |
7 Bags |
8 Bags |
| 15 |
7 Bags |
10 Bags |
13 Bags |
| 20 |
10 Bags |
14 Bags |
17 Bags |
| |
Whirlpool® Softeners
|
|
| |
Number of Persons Per Home |
| |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| 10 |
7.5 Bags |
10.5 Bags |
12 Bags |
| 15 |
10.5 Bags |
15 Bags |
19.5 Bags |
| 20 |
15 Bags |
21 Bags |
25.5 Bags |
| |
Competitive Models
|
|
† To determine your water hardness level, contact your municipal water supplier.
All consumption levels are based on 40 lb. bags of NaCl and water usage of 75 gallons per person per day.
|
What if I’m on a sodium-restricted diet?
Water softeners using sodium chloride (salt) for regeneration add a minor amount of sodium to the water. Persons on sodium-restricted diets should consider the added sodium as part of their overall intake. The same holds true for persons on a potassium-restricted diet with water softeners using potassium chloride (salt) for regeneration.
Chart: Amounts of Sodium (NaCl) and Potassium (KCl) in soft water
| Initial Water Hardness |
Sodium Added by Cation Exchange Softening of Water* |
Potassium Added by Cation Exchange Softening of Water** |
| 1 grains per gallon |
7.5 milligrams of sodium/quart |
12.75 milligrams of potassium/quart |
| 5 |
37 |
62.9 |
| 6 |
44 |
74.8 |
| 7 |
52 |
88.4 |
| 8 |
60 |
102.0 |
| 9 |
68 |
115.6 |
| 10 |
75 |
127.5 |
| 15 |
112 |
190.4 |
| 20 |
150 |
255.0 |
| 30 |
225 |
382.5 |
| 40 |
300 |
510.0 |
*If your water supply is 15 grains hard and you drank 3 quarts of softened water, you would consume 336 milligrams of sodium. That is equivalent to eating 2-1/2 slices of white bread.
**One large banana, about 9 inches in length, has approximately 600 milligrams of potassium.
Why does a softener need to recharge?
It needs to rid itself of mineral particles that it collects as water is processed through it.
How much water does each recharge use?
About as much water as it takes to wash a load of laundry.
How much electricity does a water softener use?
As much as a digital alarm clock.
How often does my water softener recharge?
In a typical household, it will regenerate every two to seven days. All Whirlpool® water softeners feature Demand Initiated Regeneration and regenerate only when needed, saving water and energy.
How long does a water softener take to recharge?
About two hours. Whirlpool® water softeners come pre-programmed to regenerate at 2:00 a.m., and can be reprogrammed to regenerate at any desired time.
What happens if the power goes out?
Whirlpool® water softeners come with a battery-free power interruption backup feature that will maintain the clock settings for eight hours in the event of a brief power outage. In the event of a longer power outage, the clock may need to be reset but all other settings are retained.
Does the recharge water from the softener harm my septic system?
No. Water softener recharge water will not affect septic system operation or drain field soil percolation.
Can I install it myself?
Whirlpool® water softeners come with detailed instructions and everything you need to install the unit, including a bypass valve.
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Manuals
