Review: Morton MHY 27,000-Grain Water Softener and Whole House Filter
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 Morton MHY 27,000-Grain Water Softener and Whole House Filter is a 2-in-1 system that provides softened and filtered water to every part of your home.
The softener-filter combo presents some interesting features doing so, most importantly the low price tag, compact design, demand-initiated regeneration, and the self-cleaning sediment filter that prevents clogging.
Let’s look at all that the Morton MHY has to offer and see if it’s good and suits you!
Contents
show
Morton MHY 27,000-Grain Water Softener and Whole House Filter |
|
| Price: | $ |
| Treatment Process: | Sediment, Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange |
| Grain Capacity: | 27,000 |
| Filter Life: | 570,000-2,280,000 gal |
| Flow Rate: | 6.5 gpm |
|
Overall Rating: 3.5/5.0 ⓘRating based on softening/filtration performance, grain capacity, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
|
|
Morton MHY 27,000-Grain Water Softener and Whole House Filter – All Specs
- Model: MHY
- Last Price: $560.69
- Annual Maintenance Cost: Salt Only
- Treatment Process: Ion Exchange Softening + Activated Carbon and Sediment Filtration
- Flow Rate: 6.5 gpm
- Filtering Capacity: 570,000-2,280,000 gal
- Softening Capacity: 27,200 Grains (0.94 cu ft. Resin)
- Max Hardness: 95 gpg
- Rated Salt Efficiency: 4,365 Grains @ 2.8 lbs. salt
- Water Used During Regeneration @ Minimum Salt Dose: 5 gal Per 1,000 Grains
- Total Water Used Per Regeneration @ Maximum Salt Dose: 50.3 gal
- WxHxD: 17.25″x41.75″x20.63″
- Weight: 99 lbs.
- Water Temperature: 40-100 °F
- Water Pressure: 20-100 psi
- Fitting: 1″ Male NPT
- NSF Certifications: Standard 42 (Chlorine Taste and Odor), Standard 44 (Hardness Reduction), Standard 372
- Warranty: 1 Year on Parts, 10 Years on Mineral and Salt Tank
Morton MHY – Key Features
The Morton MHY 27,000-Grain Water Softener and Whole House Filter uses a self-cleaning sediment filter to protect itself and your pipes, fixtures, and other water-using appliances from clogging.
In addition, carbon filtration provides cleaner and better-tasting water at every outlet in the home. The activated carbon targets chlorine for the most part and is certified to do so for an impressive 570,000 to 2,280,000 gallons, depending on how much chlorine you have in your water.
As far as the water softening is concerned, up to 95 grains per gallon water hardness – 95 gpg would classify as extremely hard water – is no problem. The process is traditional ion exchange water softening which protects your home from limescale and hard water stains, and even protects sensitive skin and hair. Capacity: 27,000 grains. The process further eliminates up to 3 parts per million (ppm) of ferrous iron.
All this comes in a space-saving and compact design.
Lastly, the Morton MHY is covered by a 1-year (limited) parts warranty and a 10-year warranty on the mineral and salt storage tank.
Morton Water Softener and Whole House Filter Pros
The Morton MHY water softener and filter comes loaded with pros.
- Firstly, the demand-initiated regeneration feature that kicks in based on your previous water usage and that helps you save salt, water, and money while the softening resin is getting replenished. Basically, frequency and length of regeneration are adjusted according to how much water has been used so the system doesn’t regenerate more than what’s needed. This is also why the Morton WHY is NSF Standard 44-certified to be salt-efficient!
- There’s also the Look-Ahead technology that learns your water usage habits and predicts your water needs. And a regeneration option for periods where water usage is higher than normal. Speaking of, softening and regeneration settings are fully customizable.
- And don’t forget the power interruption protection that retains your softener settings after a power failure.
- Because the sediment filter is self-cleaning, it doesn’t require cartridge replacements.
- The Morton MHY 27,000-grain water softener and filter is also built with convenience in mind, with its bypass valve that makes installation easier and its low salt level indicator light that lets you know when the system needs salt.
- On top of all this, at around $550 the model is highly affordable when compared to most of the competition.
What Contaminants Are Being Removed?
The Morton MHY 27,000-grain water softener and filter removes chlorine, some organic chemicals, sediments, iron (up to 3 ppm), and hardness-causing minerals.
Installation
The filter-softener combo has a bypass valve included in the package making it easier to set up. The 2-in-1 design also contributes to this. Simply put, the Morton MHY is no more difficult to install than any other standard water softener or whole house water filter.
Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.
The tools needed for installation include:
- Compression fitting (1/4 NPT x ½ in. minimum tube)
- ½” tubing
- Parts for a 3-valve bypass system like copper piping, PEX, or CPVC
The installation steps are listed below:
- Turn off the main water supply valve and disable the gas or electric supply to the water heater.
- Open all faucets and let the pipes drain (don’t drain the water heater to avoid damaging its parts).
- Take out the top cover and the salt lid to reveal the softener valve assembly. Ensure the brine well is properly fastened and upright.
- Raise the brine valve out of the brine well and ensure that the float stem is set parallel to the stand tube and the seals sit correctly during operation.
- Lower the brine valve into the bottom of the brine well and fix the brine well cover.
- Mount the brine tank overflow grommet and elbow into the 13/16″ diameter hole behind the salt storage tank wall.
- Place the water softener at the desired spot (it must be on a level surface. DO NOT set shims under the storage tank to balance the softener).
- Check for debris at the water softener inlet and outlet ports, and take out two large plastic clips.
- Lightly coat the bypass valve O-rings with silicone grease.
- Drive the single bypass valve into the softener valve until it is completely inserted, and put the two large holding clips in place.
- Measure, cut, and assemble all pipes and fittings from the main water line to the inlet and outlet ports of the water softener valve.
- Ground your cold water pipe by installing a #4 copper wire across the detached section of the main water pipe.
- Measure and cut the drain hose to the required length and connect the ⅜” drain line to the water softener valve drain fitting (hold the hose in place with a hose clamp).
- Secure the drain hose by running it to a floor drain.
- Next, install the salt storage tank overflow hose. To do this, measure and cut the ⅜” drain line to the required length and connect it to the salt storage tank overflow elbow (secure the connection with a hose clamp).
- Run the hose to a suitable drain point no higher than the drain fitting on the salt storage tank (or run it to the floor drain). Then cut the drain line to the required length and neatly position it out of the way.
- Next, check the system for leaks and fix any leaks you find.
- Add salt and water to the salt storage tank (3 gallons of clean water and Morton Clean and Protect pellets).
- Plug in the water softener’s power supply.
- Fix the softener’s top cover and salt lid and program the system (set time of day, water hardness, regen time, and salt level).
- Next, you sanitize the system. To do this, open the salt lid and take out the brine well cover, then put 6 tablespoons of household bleach into the softener brine well. Put the cover back and start a recharge. Hold the recharge button down until you see RECHARGE NOW flashing on the screen. When the recharge is done, open a cold faucet and let the water drain for about 20 minutes, then close the faucet.
- Turn the water heater back on.
Video
The Package (Parts)
- MHY system
- Bypass valve
- Drain tube
- Instruction manual
- Clips
- Hose clamps
- Adaptor elbow
- Grommet
Maintenance
This Morton whole home water softener and filter demands routine maintenance. These are the main tasks you must complete:
1. Refill Salt
The salt recommended for the refill is Morton Clean and Protect or Clean and Protect Plus Rust Defense.
- Raise the salt lid and check the salt storage level regularly.
- Check the salt every two or three weeks until you have established a refilling routine, and always add more salt if less than ¼ full.
- Ensure the brine well cover is on.
Softening salts not recommended are rock salt high in impurities as well as block, granulated, table, and ice melting salts.
2. Break Salt Bridges
A salt bridge can be formed in an open area between the salt and the water. Salt bridges are caused by high humidity or the use of the wrong type of salt.
If you notice salt bridges, break them.
3. Clean the Nozzle & Venturi
A well-maintained nozzle and venturi are important for the system’s smooth operation.
Manual
Here is a link to the official manual:
https://www.mortonwatersofteners.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/MHY-7368514_D-Sm.pdf
NSF and Other Certifications
According to the product manual, the Morton MHY 27,000-grain system was tested and certified by NSF International against NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for removing chlorine taste and odor. It was also tested and certified against Standard 44 for efficiency, hardness reduction, and the reduction of barium and radium 226/228. Lastly, It has been certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 372.
However, when we looked online, we couldn’t find any links to these certificates.
Earlier Product Versions
As far as we know, the Morton MHY has no earlier product versions.
Morton Water Softener and Filter Cons
The Morton MHY is advertised as a system that is perfect for any household. However, the 6.5 gpm flow rate is hardly sufficient for two bathrooms, making it unsuitable for larger homes. 1-2 bathrooms is the absolute limit the system can handle. The low capacity of 27,000 grains adds to this.
Also, having a long filter life and no need for filter changes means that the system can only be used for basic filtration (it should be able to filter out chlorine but cannot remove more harmful or stubborn pollutants especially in the long run).
The single-tank design could make the system more prone to salt bridging.
Another downside to the system is that we could not find any NSF certificates online (so we can’t fully confirm them).
Morton MHY Review: Our Verdict + Best for
So, what’s our final verdict of the Morton MHY 27,000-Grain Water Softener and Whole House Filter?
Well, the filtration part is for sediment and chlorine taste and odor removal only. Don’t expect anything crazy here. The softening part looks more solid, also because it’s NSF-certified to be efficient. Demand-initiated regeneration is nice to prevent wasting water and salt.
Also taking into account the very affordable price, we’ll award the Morton 4 stars. In our opinion, it’s best for hard city water without any serious contamination problems. Plus, it only works for small homes, too, based on its 6.5 gpm flow rate.
Our Rating in Detail:
- Overall Performance: 3.5/5.0
- Filtering & Softening Capacity: 3.5/5.0
- Purchase Price: 5.0/5.0
- Annual Cost: 5.0/5.0
- Overall: 3.5/5.0
Comparison to Other Whole House Filter-Softener Combos
Let’s compare the Morton MHY to SpringWell CSS which is another whole house water filtration and softening combo.
SpringWell CSS |
|
| Price: | $$$ |
| Treatment Process: | Ion Exchange Softening, 5-Micron Sediment, Catalytic Carbon + KDF |
| Grain Capacity: | 32,000-80,000 |
| Filter Life: | 1,000,000 gal |
| Flow Rate: | 9-20 gpm |
|
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on softening/filtration performance, grain capacity, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
Get 5% Off! Use Code: |
|
|
Morton MHY |
|
| Price: | $ |
| Treatment Process: | Sediment, Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange |
| Grain Capacity: | 27,000 |
| Filter Life: | 570,000-2,280,000 gal |
| Flow Rate: | 6.5 gpm |
|
Overall Rating: 3.5/5.0 ⓘRating based on softening/filtration performance, grain capacity, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
|
|
Like the Morton MHY, the SpringWell CSS uses a traditional salt-based water softener. One difference here is that the SpringWell comes with separates tanks for filtration and softening. Both work independently from one another and can be controlled using your smart device – convenient!
Plus, the SpringWell’s filter component is noticeably more effective. A 5-micron sediment pre-filter erases smaller particles and the catalytic carbon + KDF filter tank most remaining contaminants found in municipal water supplies such as chlorine, chloramine, disinfection byproducts, pesticides, some heavy metals, PFAS, etc. This makes the water notably healthier and improves its flavor and taste. Moreover, the SpringWell CSS has a rated service flow rate of 9-20 gpm, which should be enough almost regardless of how large your home is. Did we mention the 6-month satisfaction guarantee?!
In comparison, the Morton MHY’s is a lot less effective in terms of filtration and not a system you can use if you have serious contaminant problems. Also, it’s a lot slower. But, it’s much more affordable than the SpringWell. And we have NSF certifications.
Both products have their merits and serve different purposes. If you’re on a budget, live in a small home, and you have hard city water with otherwise minimal contamination, the Morton MHY could be a good choice. If all of these conditions don’t apply, the SpringWell CSS is clearly the better option.
More Reviews:
More Morton Reviews:
This completes our review of the Morton water softener and whole house filter. 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.