The Whirlpool WHES44 44,000 Grain Capacity Water Softener removes up to 140 GPG of hardness from your water supply, which is a high hardness rating for a softener. It also provides a 9 GPM service flow rate, making it a strong choice for homes with extremely hard water.
The Whirlpool WHES44 is a saltwater softener and therefore you will need to drain it and power it with electricity.
Find all of our water softener reviews and helpful information in our guide to the best water softeners.
Whirlpool WHES44 44,000 Grain Capacity Water Softener: Features
The resin bed in this saltwater softener has a total hardness capacity of 44,000 grains, and it recovers just over 5,000 grains per pound of salt used in the regeneration cycle. The compact unit has a one-piece cabinet design, with the resin tank inside the salt reservoir, to save space.
This water softener system can hold up to 200 pounds of salt, and the salt reservoir has a built-in light that lets you know when you need more salt. It comes with installation hardware, a bypass valve, a drain hose, and adapters, but you may need additional fittings to connect this unit to your existing plumbing. This water softener does not have any additional water-conditioning features, such as the removal of chlorine and other chemicals to improve your water's taste.
The control panel lets you set the time of day, regeneration start time, and water hardness settings. You can use these controls to schedule regeneration at an hour when your household is not using water. The water softener has a built-in sensor, so the regeneration cycle is triggered when the water use indicates it is needed. When you set the softener to maximum salt use, regeneration uses just over 43 gallons of water to cleanse fully charged media.
As a salt-based home water softener, this softener requires electrical power and drain connections for its regeneration process. It has indicator lights for low salt and active water flow. The latter can reveal potential leaks in your home's plumbing system. The control panel also has an iron removal setting, which triggers an additional backwash cycle during regeneration to remove iron buildup. This Whirlpool model is a high-functioning salt-based water softener, but if you prefer a salt-free water softener, read our Aquasana 1,000,000 Gallon Rhino review.
In addition to removing up to 140 GPG from your water supply, this whole-home water softener removes up to 12 parts per million of clear-water iron. The 9 GPM service flow rate provides sufficient soft water for up to five people.
Should you buy the Whirlpool WHES44 44,000 Grain Capacity Water Softener?
The Whirlpool WHES44 44,000 Grain Capacity Water Softener has a large salt reservoir and several convenience features. It provides strong softening capability and iron removal for areas with extremely hard water. If your water isn't really hard, you may be better off with another model.
