Please advise,

I have a GE profile model PNSF31Z01 water softener. I had it installed in
1999. It regenerates daily and uses several 40 pound bags of salt a month.
Is there any way I can get it to regenerate less often? Is this wise? I
don't want to ruin the water softener, but would rather not have to refill
it so often. The users manual allows me to set the time of day I
regenerate, but says nothing about adjusting for every so many days. If I
push the manual valve to bypass the water softener, it will skip the
regeneration cycle. How long can I leave it in bypass without damaging the
water softener? Any other info on water softeners that is important to
know?
I bought the water softener because all the water using appliances (20
yr old house) were rusting through and the shower heads were getting clogged
up from minerals. Appliances and laundry and showers are much nicer and
cleaner after installing the water softener, no more rust or corrosion
issues. Is there technology on the market that accomplishes this without
consuming a product (e.g. I buy about 120 to 160 lbs of salt a month. Even
though I don'tuse much water my softener still regenerates daily)?

Thanks in advance,
Andy

1_Patriotic_Guy wrote:
I have a GE profile model PNSF31Z01 water softener. I had it
installed in 1999. It regenerates daily and uses several 40 pound

Did you check the GE web site and your owner's manual?
http://www.geappliances.com/geac/faqs/wtr.htm#b

Andy,

You need to get your unconditioned water tested. Once that is done look
in your owner's manual for advice on regeneration. Using the hardness of the
water, the capacity of the softener, and the amount of water you use you can
calculate how often you should regenerate. Regenerating once a day for a
home is likely to be much to often, even once a week may be too much.

Dave M.

"David Martel" wrote in message
ink.net...
Andy,

You need to get your unconditioned water tested. Once that is done look
in your owner's manual for advice on regeneration. Using the hardness of
the
water, the capacity of the softener, and the amount of water you use you
can
calculate how often you should regenerate. Regenerating once a day for a
home is likely to be much to often, even once a week may be too much.

Dave M.

Agreed,

My old softener did as you described until I took the time to put it into
MANUAL regeneration. I had a led screen that indicated how many thousands of
gallons were left. Because of my city water and settings a complete recharge
usually netted 12 showing. Since it was in the garage and next to the
washer/dryer. I would check it every load of clothes. When it showed 1-2 I
would hold down the recharge button and walk away. Good to go for another
2-3 weeks. Slowed the salt diet down to a couple of bags a year.

Thank you everyone - I found the diagnostic mode and have the softener back
in operation.

"SQLit" wrote in message
news:Bq3Zd.222972$0u.2459@fed1read04...

"David Martel" wrote in message
ink.net...
Andy,

You need to get your unconditioned water tested. Once that is done
look
in your owner's manual for advice on regeneration. Using the hardness of
the
water, the capacity of the softener, and the amount of water you use you
can
calculate how often you should regenerate. Regenerating once a day for a
home is likely to be much to often, even once a week may be too much.

Dave M.

Agreed,

My old softener did as you described until I took the time to put it into
MANUAL regeneration. I had a led screen that indicated how many thousands
of
gallons were left. Because of my city water and settings a complete
recharge
usually netted 12 showing. Since it was in the garage and next to the
washer/dryer. I would check it every load of clothes. When it showed 1-2 I
would hold down the recharge button and walk away. Good to go for another
2-3 weeks. Slowed the salt diet down to a couple of bags a year.

"1_Patriotic_Guy" wrote in message
news
Please advise,

I have a GE profile model PNSF31Z01 water softener. I had it installed in
1999. It regenerates daily and uses several 40 pound bags of salt a
month.
Is there any way I can get it to regenerate less often? Is this wise?

If it does not need regeneration, it is wise. If it does need to be done,
it is stupid to not do it.

You must determine the hardness of the water in grains, then the capacity of
the softener in grains and set it accordingly. It may be possible to set
the hight of the salt shelf in the brine tank to use less salt but I'm not
familir with your model. The manual should give information on doing that.


Is there technology on the market that accomplishes this without
consuming a product (e.g. I buy about 120 to 160 lbs of salt a month.
Even
though I don'tuse much water my softener still regenerates daily)?

Newer controls can determine just how much regeneration is needed and adjust
accordingly. I don't know if it is possible to retrofit yours to do that.
--
Ed
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/

"1_Patriotic_Guy" wrote in message
news
Please advise,

I have a GE profile model PNSF31Z01 water softener. I had it installed in
1999. It regenerates daily and uses several 40 pound bags of salt a
month.
Is there any way I can get it to regenerate less often? Is this wise? I
don't want to ruin the water softener, but would rather not have to refill
it so often. The users manual allows me to set the time of day I
regenerate, but says nothing about adjusting for every so many days. If I
push the manual valve to bypass the water softener, it will skip the
regeneration cycle. How long can I leave it in bypass without damaging
the
water softener? Any other info on water softeners that is important to
know?
I bought the water softener because all the water using appliances
(20
yr old house) were rusting through and the shower heads were getting
clogged
up from minerals. Appliances and laundry and showers are much nicer and
cleaner after installing the water softener, no more rust or corrosion
issues. Is there technology on the market that accomplishes this without
consuming a product (e.g. I buy about 120 to 160 lbs of salt a month.
Even
though I don'tuse much water my softener still regenerates daily)?

Thanks in advance,
Andy


Older softeners permit you to skip recharging on specified days. The newer
softeners have a water meter that let you recharge whenever you have used a
specified number of gallons. In either case you must know the hardness of
your water and do some simple computation. To determine the hardness of
your water, call your water company or use a simple hardness test kit.

Whichever way is appropriate, you need to read the manual and follow its
instructions as others have suggested. If you don't have a copy, you can
view it online at http://www.geappliances.com/geac/own_instl/. It appears
that your softener has metering to respond to water use but is set up for
extremely hard water. If you have a severe leak or used softened water for
irrigation (implies improper installation) you could also have excessive
salt use. --- SJF

Thank you! -- I found the manual on-line!

"SJF" wrote in message
news:x_4Zd.71334$Tt.19628@fed1read05...

"1_Patriotic_Guy" wrote in message
news
Please advise,

I have a GE profile model PNSF31Z01 water softener. I had it installed
in
1999. It regenerates daily and uses several 40 pound bags of salt a
month.
Is there any way I can get it to regenerate less often? Is this wise?
I
don't want to ruin the water softener, but would rather not have to
refill
it so often. The users manual allows me to set the time of day I
regenerate, but says nothing about adjusting for every so many days. If
I
push the manual valve to bypass the water softener, it will skip the
regeneration cycle. How long can I leave it in bypass without damaging
the
water softener? Any other info on water softeners that is important to
know?
I bought the water softener because all the water using appliances
(20
yr old house) were rusting through and the shower heads were getting
clogged
up from minerals. Appliances and laundry and showers are much nicer and
cleaner after installing the water softener, no more rust or corrosion
issues. Is there technology on the market that accomplishes this
without
consuming a product (e.g. I buy about 120 to 160 lbs of salt a month.
Even
though I don'tuse much water my softener still regenerates daily)?

Thanks in advance,
Andy


Older softeners permit you to skip recharging on specified days. The
newer
softeners have a water meter that let you recharge whenever you have used
a
specified number of gallons. In either case you must know the hardness of
your water and do some simple computation. To determine the hardness of
your water, call your water company or use a simple hardness test kit.

Whichever way is appropriate, you need to read the manual and follow its
instructions as others have suggested. If you don't have a copy, you can
view it online at http://www.geappliances.com/geac/own_instl/. It
appears
that your softener has metering to respond to water use but is set up for
extremely hard water. If you have a severe leak or used softened water
for
irrigation (implies improper installation) you could also have excessive
salt use. --- SJF