Review: GE GXSH40V 40,000-Grain Water Softening System
Written by: Alexandra Uta // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Aug 4, 2023
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GE’s GXSH40V 40,000-grain water softener is ideal for households with 4, maybe 5 residents and a maximum hardness level of 110 gpg. Now 110 gpg would mean exceptionally hard water and doesn’t occur very often – fortunately!
The reason we point this out is so you don’t worry about this softener not being able to handle your level of hardness. It is.
Ready to dive in?
GE GXSH40V |
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| Price: | $ |
| Flow Rate: | 9.5 gpm |
| Capacity: | 40,200 Grains |
| # of People: | Up to 5 |
| Metered Regen: | |
| NSF: | 44 |
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Our Rating
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GE GXSH40V 40,000-Grain Water Softener – Key Features
The GE GXSH40V water softener provides 9.5 gpm water flow, which is pretty standard and ensures that you won’t see a pressure drop even when using multiple water outlets at the same time.
Is this the right system if you are on a private well? Yep!
You just have to make sure that if there is iron in your water it does not exceed 8 parts per million. Anything below that threshold should be fine, according to GE Appliances.
Of course we are talking about clear-water a.k.a. ferrous iron here.
Red-water iron (ferric), iron bacteria and colloidal iron for the most part won’t be affected.
Above that, the system can’t handle excess sediment.
And you should be careful in case of high chlorine content. Anything above 2 ppm may lead to a reduced lifespan of the softening resin.
Min/max water pressure: 20 psi – 125 psi.
Exact softening capacity: 40,200 grains.
GXSH40V Pros
What we like most about the GE GXSH40V softener is its water and salt saving properties. Compared to an older model, you can save up to 34% to 35% says the manufacturer.
Furthermore, the system will monitor your water usage and predict future demand, so that it can time regen cycles in a way that you always have soft water at the ready.
And lastly, we have NSF and CSA certifications according to U.S. and Canadian standards that guarantee effective hardness reduction and the inactivation of certain harmful substances for added safety.
On top of that, everything is backed by a 1-year limited warranty. The electronic control head has an additional warranty of 3 years, both the brine and the resin tank of 10 years.
The GE GXSH40V – learn more on amazon.com
Installation + Startup Instructions
Thanks to the single-tank design, hooking up this water softener is relatively easy. There are fewer connections that you have to make and if you are handy with tools, you should be able to complete the install within a couple of hours.
Here is what you need to do:
If a softener is not equipped with a bypass valve, we recommend you provide for one for ease of maintenance. Also, make sure to comply with local plumbing codes.
Where to Install
GE recommends to install the GXSH40V in the inside. Damages that occur due to freezing temperatures or direct sunlight will not be covered by the warranty.
Also, you want to place the system close to where the main water line enters your house, so all the water is softened before it gets distributed to the different outlets and appliances throughout your home.
If you have a whole house filter system, install the softener after the unit. This will increase its longevity.
And remember that there has to be a drain and an electrical outlet nearby.
The Setup
- Turn off your home’s water supply.
- Open any faucets you have in your home so the remaining water can drain.
- Install the brine tank elbow and overflow grommet – these go in the back of the tank.
- Remove the top cover from the device.
- Take off the clips from the bypass valve inlet and outlet ports so you can verify there are no blockages inside. Verify the turbine can spin unobstructed.
- Cover the O-rings with a layer of silicone grease.
- Push the bypass valve deep into the softener valve and fasten it with two large holding clips.
- Place the softener in its intended spot.
- Hook up the inlet and outlet ports of the bypass valve to your main water pipe. All external pipe threads should be covered in Teflon tape and you need to be careful to prevent any cross-threading.
- The drain port elbow goes in the valve drain port. Hold it in place with a clip.
- Connect the 3/8” drain line to the valve drain fitting and fasten it with a hose clamp.
- Connect the drain hose to a drain and fasten it.
- Connect the 3/8” drain line to the brine tank overflow elbow and keep it in place with a clamp.
- Connect the hose to the drain.
- Find at least two cold soft water faucets nearby and leave them open.
- Switch the softener to Bypass mode.
- Turn on your main water supply, but not all at once – increase the flow little by little.
- Wait until you have a steady flow of water.
- Switch the bypass valve to the Service position, referring to the user manual for instructions.
- After a couple of minutes, open a hot water faucet. Wait until all air has been released and close the faucet.
- Turn off all cold soft water faucets.
- Inspect for leaks.
- Pour three gallons of water into the brine tank.
- Pour salt into the brine tank.
- Connect the softener to a power socket.
- Reattach the top cover.
- Reattach the salt cover.
- Sanitize the entire system as described in the user manual.
Video
The below video features the GE GXSH40V and outlines the installation process in great detail. Kudos to Jack of All Master of None!
The Package (Parts)
- Resin/brine tank, size: 22” x 48” x 14”, salt capacity: 230 lbs
- Bypass valve
- Drain hose, 12 ft.
- Installation kit
- Adaptors
- Adaptor elbow
- O-rings
- Clips
- Ground clamp kit
- Hose clamps
- Grommet
- Drain fitting
- Drain clip
- Mesh resin, standard, 1.25 sq. ft.
Programming, Settings & Maintenance
Configuring the GE GXSH40V is a breeze: Simply set the current time, your water hardness level as well as your preferred time for regeneration and lastly the current salt level, and you are good to go!
Various other optional features are also available which you can still activate later on if need be.
Apart from some cleaning here and there, the system is also super low in maintenance. All you need to do is keep adding new salt into the brine tank. The low-salt light and an audible alarm serve as reminders.
In addition, the display shows the estimated number of days until the reservoir is empty. How convenient!
Manual
If you are looking for a manual for further details, you can find one on this page.
GXSH40V Cons
A handful of customers had one or more of the following issues (among others):
- Their softener quit working for no apparent reason after a few months up to 2 years of use.
- Their unit’s brine chamber would not drain.
- They struggled with GE’s poor customer service. First they had to wait for more than 30 minutes in the toll free line, then they did not receive a response when they were promised to get called back.
Of course, these cases are rare, but since this is an unbiased review and we want to give you the full picture, we didn’t want to withhold this information.
All in all, the majority of users seems very happy with their purchase.
GE GXSH40V Review: Our Verdict + Best for
Bottom line: This is a great product at a reasonable price that installs quickly and without difficulties thanks to the simple design and clear installation booklet.
It’s also very economical and works without problems for the large majority of users. GE’s customer service is not always reliable. Thus our verdict: 4.5 stars!
The GE GXSH40V water softener is best for large homes with increased hardness and ferrous iron levels.
More Reviews:
This completes our GE GXSH40V review. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Alexandra Uta
Information provided on BOS is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.
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