40278 Water — Softener

A: Yes! That "slimy" feeling is your natural skin oils not being stripped off by magnesium. You are actually cleaner. Rinse 5 seconds longer; the slimy feeling will rinse away.

Rust turns resin beads into slimy, dark green mush. Buy a liquid resin cleaner from Home Depot. Pour it into the brine well. Force a manual regeneration. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Q: Does the 40278 remove chlorine or lead? A: No. This is a water softener, not a filter. For chlorine taste or lead, you need a reverse osmosis (RO) system under the sink, or a whole home carbon filter before the 40278. 40278 water softener

Conditioners do not lower the PPM of calcium. For appliances, water heaters, and soap lather, you need a real softener. The 40278 uses salt because salt works . You will use about 3 bags per month for a family of four—around $15 to $20 in consumables. Troubleshooting: "My 40278 water feels hard again!" You have three likely culprits: A: Yes

Disclaimer: Manufacturer SKUs change. Always verify that model "40278" matches the Whirlpool, GE, or EcoWater unit you are viewing. When in doubt, contact the seller's technical support with your water parameters. Rinse 5 seconds longer; the slimy feeling will rinse away

A: Yes. If you are on a low-sodium diet, potassium chloride works in the 40278. However, it is 3x more expensive and can cause "mushing" in the brine tank. Clean the tank yearly if you use potassium.

Go look at the back of the 40278. The bypass handle should be pointing towards the unit (Service position). If it points away (Bypass), you are using raw hard water.

The 40278 hits the "sweet spot" for the average homeowner. It is more reliable than budget units and half the price of a commercial Fleck. However, if you have extreme hard water (over 30 grains), upgrade to a dual-tank or high-capacity Fleck. Is the 40278 Water Softener "Salt Free"? (No, and here is why you don't want that) Some marketing gimmicks try to sell "salt-free softeners" (Template Assisted Crystallization). The 40278 is not one of those.