Review: GE GXWH70M Smart Whole House Water Filter System
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Aug 4, 2023
This page may contain affiliate links. If you buy a product or service through such a link we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
The GE GXWH70M Smart Whole House Water Filter is cartridge-based with several unique features in a system of this type: It features WiFi connectivity with alerts for potential leaks or running faucets, filter change notifications, freeze alerts, and even a remote shut-off option to deactivate the system from a distance.
Let’s take a closer look at this whole house water filter and decide if its features are worthwhile or merely gimmicks.
Contents
show
GE GXWH70M Smart Whole House Water Filter System |
|
| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Media: | Sediment (+ Carbon) |
| Filter Life: | 15,000 Gallons or 3 Months |
| Flow Rate: | 4 gpm |
| Annual Cost: | ~$70-220 |
|
Overall Rating: 3.5/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
|
|
GE GXWH70M Smart Whole House Water Filter System – All Specs
- Model: GXWH70M
- Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$70-220
- Filter Media/Process: Varies
- Flow Rate: 4 gpm
- Filtering Capacity: 15,000 gal
- Weight: 15.1 lb
- Water Temperature: 40-100 °F
- Water Pressure: 20-120 psi
- Fitting: ¾”
- NSF Certifications: Standard 42 (Structural Integrity, Chlorine Taste and Odor, Particulates III/V)
- Warranty: 1 Year
GE GXWH70M – Key Features
The GE GXWH70M whole house water filtration system is a single-stage cartridge base unit with three different cartridge options. This allows you to vary the filtration performance by choosing which filter element that suits your needs best.
- FTHPM (Basic) – $17.99 – Removes sediment and sand for 3 months or 15,000 gallons – filters down to 30 microns nominal.
- FTHTM (Advanced) – $27.99 – Removes sediment, sand, and chlorine for 3 months or 15,000 gallons – filters down to 5 microns nominal.
- FTHLM (Premium) – $53.99 – Removes sediment, sand, chlorine, and lead for 3 months or 15,000 gallons – filters down to 0.5 microns nominal.
The GE GXWH70M also offers WiFi connectivity to your smartphone, enabling you to monitor performance remotely. Water flow alerts allow you to detect issues with leaks or running faucets, and the system even has a remote shut-off feature to turn it on and off from anywhere. You can also track water usage and receive potential freeze notifications and filter change alerts. These features require a WiFi signal at the filter location to work.
Another key feature is the system’s push-to-connect fittings. These allow for easy installation with a wide variety of ¾” pipes and no soldering or torch is required. A rotating pivot head also allows for either vertical or horizontal installation – depending on the configuration of your pipes.
Swapping filters is fast and easy to perform due to the easy-change design. No tools are needed for cartridge removal, plus the system features a built-in bypass/shutoff valve for easier installation and maintenance.
Last but not least, GE offers a limited one-year product warranty (which seems a little low for a system at this price point).
GE Whole House Water Filter Pros
The GE whole house water filter has several well-integrated design features that help to set it apart from your run-of-the-mill models.
- The bypass valve, push-to-connect fittings, and pivoting head make installation easy to do yourself without hiring a professional. This will also save you significant money.
- While some of the WiFi smart features may not be completely necessary, they are nonetheless nice to see in a single-stage cartridge filter like this. The ability to monitor water flow rates and detect a potential leak, in particular, is useful for preventing water damage to your home.
- We should also mention the pressure release button and the clear filter housing. Combined these will both make monitoring and changing filters significantly easier.
What Contaminants Are Being Removed?
As mentioned previously, the contaminants removed by the GE GXWH70M will depend on the specific filter cartridge installed.
- The most basic cartridge – the FTHPM – will only remove sediment and other large particles down to 30 microns. This is not particularly impressive.
- The next tier cartridge – the FTHTM – will remove sediment, sand, rust and other particles down to 5 microns as well as chlorine. This makes it a good option for basic municipal water filtration, as these are the two most common contaminants found in municipal water.
- The highest-tier cartridge – the FTHLM – will remove sediment, sand, and other particulates down to just 0.5 microns as well as chlorine and lead.
The GE GXWH70M – learn more on Amazon.com
Installation
Thanks to its push-connect fittings, the GE whole house water filtration system will typically be easier to install than most other filters. We also have the built-in bypass valve so you don’t need to worry about that.
Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.
Tools and materials needed for installation:
- Pipe cutter
- Drill
- Tape measure
- Metal file
- Screwdriver
- Bucket and rags
- 2 x grounding clamps and #6 copper grounding wire (only if grounding is necessary)
Before choosing a final installation location, you’ll want to ensure there are at least 2 feet of clearance underneath the unit for changing the filter cartridges. Additionally, if the incoming cold water lines in your home are used for electrical grounding, you’ll need to install grounding clamps and wire to maintain this grounding.
Installation instructions:
- Shut off the main water supply in your home and turn on a downstream faucet to drain any remaining water.
- Find an appropriate mounting location for both the filter and the mounting bracket. You should be able to line up the filter and mounting bracket here and have sufficient support for both.
- Mark the pipe where you plan to cut it. The space needed is approximately 8 3/8”. Shut-off valves are recommended both before and after the system.
- Use your pipe cutter to remove the required length of pipe. Then use your file to clean up the ends and remove any burrs.
- Use the included template to mark the pre-drilling hole for the mounting bracket holes.
- Pre-drill 7/32” sized pilot holes in the wall for your mounting bracket.
- Use the included 5/16” screws to secure the mount in wood. If mounting to concrete, you’ll need to source the appropriate fasteners separately. Hand-tighten the mounting bracket with a screwdriver.
- You can swap the inlet and outlet direction by rotating the inlet/outlet ports if needed.
- Mount the system to the bracket temporarily and line up the inlet and outlet ports so they match the directional flow of your plumbing lines.
- Now, attach the two side brackets to the rear of the system. These will help support the system and pipes.
- Dismount the system, and secure the screws attaching the mounting bracket to the wall completely.
- At this point, we will need to attach the quick-connect fittings to the water line.
- First, attach a quick-connect fitting to each side of the pipe.
- Next, slide the quick-connect fittings so that the tip of the pipe is slightly visible past the end of the fitting.
- Now, mount the entire system to the mounting bracket using the included screws. Use the included quick-connect tool to attach the pipe to the system.
- This step is only needed if the copper or galvanized pipe running into your home is used for electrical grounding. (If your pipes are plastic, you can skip this step).
- Clean the copper pipe and wire ends with sandpaper. Use bare copper wire instead of insulated if possible.
- Attach ½” to 1” bronze grounding clamps to the inlet and outlet pipe on either side of the filter.
- Attach the #6 copper wire to the clamps. Tighten the screws to clamp the wire in place.
- At this point, the system is installed and all that remains is a final check for leaks.
- Ensure the filter cartridge is installed. If not, follow the instructions below under ‘maintenance’.
- Turn on the main water supply slowly.
- Examine the system for leaks. If found, turn off the water supply and tighten or re-seal the fittings.
- After installing, flush the system for 10 minutes, wait an hour, then flush a second time for another 10 minutes. Now your system is ready to use.
Video
The Package (Parts)
- GXWH70M
Maintenance
As the system uses only a single cartridge, the maintenance required is fairly low, especially when compared with other whole house systems. GE recommends changing the filter cartridge every 3 months – or when you start to notice a significant reduction in water flow.
To change the filter cartridge:
- Shut off the main water supply to the system. Rotate the valve handle while pressing down on the white button.
- Loosen the filter housing by pulling down on the filter holder handle while gripping the housing.
- Disconnect the old filter by turning it ¼ turn clockwise. Dispose. Then clean out the filter housing using some mild dish soap and warm water.
- Take a look at the filter housing O-ring. If needed, lubricate with a light coating of food-grade silicone grease. Ensure it is seated correctly inside the groove. If the O-ring appears damaged, crimped, or stretched, discard it and replace it with a new one.
- Install a new cartridge inside the system by turning it ¼ turn counter-clockwise.
- Replace the filter housing over the new filter, align the pins, and push the housing into place.
- Push down and hold the white-colored button while rotating to manually turn the valve handle.
- Depress the red pressure-relief button to release any trapped air.
- Now turn on the water and allow the system to flush for 10 minutes. Let the system sit for an hour. Then flush again for another 10 minutes.
Manual
Here is a link to the official manual:
NSF and Other Certifications
The GE GXWH70M is tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for structural integrity. Besides, the FTHPM filter cartridge is certified for Particulate Class V reduction. The FTHTM cartridge is certified for Particulate Class III, chlorine, and taste and odor reduction.
Earlier Product Versions
To our knowledge, the GE GXWH70M Smart Whole House Water Filtration System has no earlier product versions.
GE Whole House Filter Cons
Perhaps the system’s biggest drawback is its flow rate of 4 gallons per minute. While it is marketed as a ‘whole house’ system, 4 gpm is only enough to accommodate a single bathroom. So, in reality, the system would only work for an apartment/condo or very small home.
Another issue is the filter cartridge lifespan. 3 months or 15,000 gallons is on the low side for a whole house water filter, so you’ll need to change cartridges relatively frequently. Fortunately, replacements are fairly inexpensive, so this isn’t that costly of an issue.
Another con is that while the system is certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 42, no information or certification for lead reduction (FTHLM filter cartridge) is provided. It could be effective, or not.
Looking at some of the user ratings, a small percentage of users had issues with the system not detecting leaks and WiFi connectivity being spotty. Several other users had complaints about GE’s customer service, but overall most ratings were positive.
GE GXWH70M Review: Our Verdict + Best for
All in all, the GE GXWH70M Smart Whole House Water Filter System could work for basic water filtration needs. That said, effectiveness depends on the cartridge selected, but even the most expensive version would only work well for sediments and chlorine.
Additionally, while the system has several interesting features, in our opinion none of them justify the significantly higher price tag when compared to similar cartridge-based whole house filters sold by the competition.
In the end you have to ask yourself, do you really need to be able to shut off your whole house water filter remotely? If yes, go for the GE GXWH70M; if not, better skip it!
Our Rating in Detail:
- Filtration Performance: 3.5/5.0
- Filter Capacity (Life): 3.0/5.0
- Purchase Price: 3.0/5.0
- Annual Cost: 3.5/5.0
- Overall: 3.5/5.0
Comparison to Other Whole House Water Filters
Let’s take a look at how the GE GXWH70M compares to some of the most popular cartridge-based whole house filters out there – the Kind E-1000 and the SpringWell PF.
Kind E-1000 |
|
| Price: | $$$ |
| Filter Media: | 5-Micron Sediment, Catalytic Carbon Block |
| Filter Life: | 12 Months |
| Flow Rate: | 15 gpm |
| Annual Cost: | ~$145 |
|
Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
Get 5% Off! Use Code: |
|
SpringWell PF |
|
| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Media: | 5-Micron Sediment |
| Filter Life: | 6 Months |
| Flow Rate: | 20-35 gpm |
| Annual Cost: | $35-65 |
|
Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
Get 5% Off! Use Code: |
|
|
GE GXWH70M |
|
| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Media: | Sediment (+ Carbon) |
| Filter Life: | 15,000 Gallons or 3 Months |
| Flow Rate: | 4 gpm |
| Annual Cost: | ~$70-220 |
|
Overall Rating: 3.5/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
|
|
First, the Kind Water Systems E-1000 is a 2-stage system featuring both catalytic carbon and sediment filter stages. This combination will remove a wide array of contaminants including sediment down to 5 microns, chlorine/chloramine, pesticides, herbicides, VOCs, industrial solvents, THMs, PFAS and more. It features an impressive 15-gallon per minute flow rate, essentially triple the GE’s flow rate and can accommodate up to 6 bathrooms. The system costs significantly more than the GE – retailing for approximately $800. Both filters must also be replaced annually, which costs about $145 per year.
Next, let’s take a look at how the GE compares to the SpringWell PF – a popular single-cartridge whole house filter. The SpringWell PF is only designed to remove sediment down to 5 microns, making it more of a pre or post-filter than a comprehensive system. It features a phenomenal flow rate of either 20 or 35+ gpm (depending on the unit size selected), making it perfect for very large homes. It is also significantly cheaper than the GE, retailing for about $80. Filter cartridges must be replaced every 6 months or so, costing approximately $35 to $65 annually – a good deal less than the $70-220 annual cost for the GE cartridge replacements.
Overall, comparing the two above systems to the GE GXWH70M shows us that while the GE is attempting to be a comprehensive whole house water filter it comes up short in several areas. When compared to a legitimate filter like the Kind, the GE’s flow rate is too low and its contaminant removal performance is sub-par. Compared to a dedicated sediment filter like the SpringWell, the GE’s flow rate is once again too low, plus it costs far too much.
Add to this the 4-6-month satisfaction guarantee and limited lifetime warranty offered by Kind Water Systems/SpringWell and we have a clear winner!
More Reviews:
More GE Reviews:
This completes our review of the GE GXWH70M Smart Whole House Water Filter System. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
Information provided on BOS is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.
We adhere to strict editorial guidelines. Rest assured, the opinions expressed have not been provided, reviewed, or otherwise endorsed by our partners – they are unbiased, independent, and the author’s alone. Our licensed experts fact-check all content for accuracy. It is accurate as of the date posted and to the best of our knowledge.