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Product Overview
The Rheem PREFERRED Plus 42,000 Water Softening System can handle the water demand for houses of all sizes while keeping water and salt costs associated with your softener to a minimum. The built-in Rheem Learning Technology adapts to your household water usage, which conserves water, energy, salt and saves you money. Rheem Water Softeners are designed, engineered, and manufactured right here in the USA.
- Ideal for large households
- Rheem Learning Technology learns your water usage patterns, which optimizes salt consumption and provides on-demand soft water for your home
- Advanced water management electronics
- Proven, industry-leading valve maintains water pressure in up to 1-1/4″ plumbing and homes with multiple bathrooms.
- Customizable water hardness with blending valve
- Angled tank design for easy loading of salt
- Clear water iron reduction
- Light illuminates and flashes for alerts
- Extra layer of sediment protection for water-using appliances and plumbing by limiting large particles from long-term damage
- Inner tank light for low-light conditions
- High impact salt storage tank with internal, double-lined mineral tank
- Resin bed agitator keeps resin bed free of contaminants
- DIY installation kit and instructions are included
- Warranty: 1-year parts and labor, 3-year electronics, 10-year tanks; 1-year warranty can be extended up to 5 years with regular use of Rheem Water Softener Cleaner
- Low salt monitor
- Illuminated tank light
- Click here for more information on Electronic Recycling Programs
- California residents
Info & Guides
Compare Similar Water Softener Systems
Top Rated | Exclusive | Top Rated |  | |
| Brand | Waterboss | Rheem | AQUASURE | GE |
| Name | 36,400-Grain Water Softener System | Preferred Plus 42,000 Grain Water Softener | Harmony Series 48,000 Grain Water Softener with Fine Mesh Resin for Iron Removal | 31,100-Grain Water Softener and Filter in One |
| Price | ||||
| Ratings | (540) | (21) | (179) | (149) |
| House Hold Size | 3-4 people | 5-6 people | 3-4 people | 3-4 people |
| Features | Indicator light(s),Programmable | Alarm,Indicator light(s),Permanent settings memory,Programmable | Permanent settings memory,Programmable | Alarm,Indicator light(s),Permanent settings memory,Programmable |
| Includes | Installation kit | Installation kit | Installation kit | Installation kit |
| View Product | View Product | View Product | View Product |
Compare Similar Water Softener Systems
| Top Rated | Exclusive | Top Rated | | |
| Brand | Waterboss | Rheem | AQUASURE | GE |
| Name | 36,400-Grain Water Softener System | Preferred Plus 42,000 Grain Water Softener | Harmony Series 48,000 Grain Water Softener with Fine Mesh Resin for Iron Removal | 31,100-Grain Water Softener and Filter in One |
| Price | ||||
| Ratings | (540) | (21) | (179) | (149) |
| House Hold Size | ||||
| Features | ||||
| Includes | ||||
| View Product | View Product | View Product | View Product |
Specifications
Dimensions
Product Depth (in.)
22.5 in
Product Height (in.)
50 in
Product Width (in.)
17 in
Tank Length (in.)
22.5
Tank Width (in.)
17
Details
Application Type
Water Treatment
Color Family
Grays
Features
Alarm,Indicator light(s),Permanent settings memory,Programmable
House Hold Size
5-6 people
Includes
Installation kit
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor
Iron reduction (ppm)
11
Maximum Grain Capacity (grains)
42000
Maximum hardness removal (grains per gallon)
120
Output between refills (gallons)
0
Pack Size
1
Product Weight (lb.)
106 lb
Quantity (cu. ft.)
1
Regeneration time (min.)
120
Returnable
90-Day
Salt Storage Capacity (lbs.)
200 lb
Salt Type
Sodium Chloride
Service Flow Rate @ 15 psi drop (gallons per min.)
11.5 gal (US)/min
Water required for regeneration (gallons)
24
Warranty / Certifications
Manufacturer Warranty
1-year parts and labor, 3-year electronics, 10-year tanks. 1-year warranty can be extended up to 5 years with regular use of Rheem Water Softener Cleaner.
Questions & Answers
13Questions15Answers
water in brine tank
Asked by David May 3, 20213
AnswersIf the brine tank remains full of water after the initial regeneration, there may be a leak or issue with the main valve drain line. Check the drain hose and drain adapter for any kinks or blockage and ensure there is at least a 1-1/2 inch air gap at the end of the hose. The drain line also must not rise more than 8 feet from the floor or extend longer than 30 feet in total.
On a softener rated for 3-4 people, how does it handle the situation when you have family visit and then you have 6 people showering for a long wknd?
Asked by Jeffro April 22, 20212
AnswersThe unit will recharge on its own as long as it’s plugged in and has salt in the well. The specs are all dependent upon water usage. Three to four people could use below average water or be above average. You can estimate usage and size a softener to your need. If a 42000 grain unit fits the majority of your needs and from time to time usage spikes, the unit will recharge and you likely won’t notice a difference. If you feel it needs to recharge sooner it’s easy to manually trigger the unit. Hope that helps.
Does anyone know if this Rheem Preferred Plus 42,000 Grain Water Softener shares plumbing connect...
Asked by DanMc1985 March 24, 20211
AnswerI’d download the instructions and spec and check the water valve heights. The connection is reversible and can point inlet and outlet pipe threads up or down.
Does this unit regenerate based on water consumption (to save on un-needed regeneration) or only ...
Asked by watersaver March 16, 20210
AnswersCan we install this product outdoor in Houston area. It is freeze some time in winter.
Asked by wzhang March 8, 20212
AnswersI have it installed in a garage closet near Austin Texas. We went through SNOWVID-21 with no problems. We did have a few faucets on a slow drip to keep the water moving a bit through softener and heater.
How long does it take to feel a differance?
Asked by mitchie February 26, 20211
AnswerWhen you do the manual recharge during installation, and after you run some water to empty your pipes, you should feel it instantly. We felt it on first shower. I also got some strips and measured the softness at Zero.
Do you have a diagram of the water hook up and distance from the floor to it.?
Asked by Ron February 21, 20211
AnswerThank you for your recent inquiry with The Home Depot regarding Preferred Plus 42,000 Grain Water Softener. The water inlet/outlet are at 41 3/4 in. from the bottom of the unit. We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you in the future.
How often can I expect this unit to regenerate? My water hardness is 25 and 2 people in the house...
Asked by Stacey February 13, 20211
AnswerRegeneration is based on usage. More use more frequent regeneration.
Can this unit be transported on its side.
Asked by Hand February 11, 20212
AnswersYes. You can drain on its side also with a block below the top.
Can I flip the bypass asembly so its inlets are pointing down rather than up? My loop would need...
Asked by chris February 8, 20212
AnswersActually I called Rheem and they said its no problem to flip the bypass valve so inlet and outlet point down. Its made to be top or bottom feed , and you just need to make sure the supply line comes into the right side when standing in front of the unit.
Customer Reviews
Apr 2, 2021
Defective Parts, Faulty Operation, Ultimately Ok
I purchased the Rheem Model RHS42 water softener as a replacement for a Whirlpool water softener that stopped working after 7 years. The installation of the Rheem water softener was fairly straightforward and I was able to install it in a couple of hours. However, there were some quirks with the Rheem unit. For example, after all connections were in place, I followed the instructions about removing any air in the plumbing. When I eventually, enabled the bypass valve to get water into the softener, the water went straight to drain and it continued doing this non-stop. After much troubleshooting, I added salt to the tank and manually started a regeneration cycle. It was only at this point that the system stopped sending water to drain and began working ok.
Another thing that I experienced with this Rheem unit, is that the bypass valve itself was leaking water from within the piston (near the handle). All the connections were on point, however the valve itself was defective. I contacted Rheem customer service and they agreed to send me a replacement bypass valve. In the meantime, I have a bucket catching the dripping water from the defective bypass valve.
I have tested the water to see if the unit is functioning as designed. The water hardness test strips confirmed that the unit is indeed softening water.
Overall, I think the installation was relatively easy for me, however the quality of the unit is in question. I have only had the unit a few days and am still waiting for the replacement bypass valve. Time will tell if this was a good buy. Based on my experience, I can't recommend the Rheem RHS42 water softener.
by Ace
Mar 31, 2021
Ok so the install was smooth and build quality seems fine but... I think I got a bad batch of res...
Ok so the install was smooth and build quality seems fine but...
I think I got a bad batch of resin because the water taste in service mode is quite chemical tasting and in bypass totally fine.
I called the manufacturer and they are sending me new resin. I mean this can happen. So if the new resin fixes the taste issue, again which we never had with our previous softener, then I’ll update this to +5 stars.
by Hungrysquirrel
Mar 7, 2021
My house was already plumbed for a 3 valve bypass, so I think my job was pretty easy. So far so g...
My house was already plumbed for a 3 valve bypass, so I think my job was pretty easy. So far so good, I replaced a 20 year old leaking water softener.
The one thing I don't care for on most of these water softeners is the all in one unit. This design doesn't allow for flexibility to place your brine tank close to where you load salt out of your car. My water softener is installed in the mechanical room in the basement. Lugging bags of salt that distance is no fun. There's a way around this conundrum, consult a plumber.
However, this water softener seems to be doing a great job. It's fairly quiet, now that the air is out of the system. The 42k grains will be more than enough for my family. I can't attest for how efficient it uses salt yet, but I'm confident that it will use less than my old one, especially with fewer regenerations.
This unit is very easy to program, and the led light indicator makes it easy to know when the softener needs attention. It also kinda knows your salt level, and can remind you to check it. (It's an educated guess)
Looks great, takes up a little more room than my old one. I think I'll be good for the next 20 years. Save your self some time on install and buy the water softener braided flex hoses, they are 1 inch npt on one end and 3/4 sharkbite on the other, speeding things up and making fewer connections!
by Smarteboy
Feb 17, 2021
I live in Florida and the water here is notoriously hard, just ask my plumbing fixtures. I've liv...
I live in Florida and the water here is notoriously hard, just ask my plumbing fixtures. I've lived in my house for almost 6 years, and although there was already a water softener installed when I moved in, it was older and we never had it hooked up and it stayed on bypass mode. I already have a Rheem water heater, and they seem to be new to the water softener business but I trust them so I went with this one for my home. Installation was simple since I already had an existing softener, and the computerized setup was a breeze thanks to detailed instructions. It comes with a single test strip to test your tap water so that you can plug in the hardness level to the softener after installation. We can already feel a difference when showering and washing our hands how hard our water really was. Great investment!
by AmyH
Feb 13, 2021
Water quality is extremely important. We installed the Rheem performance plus water softener to i...
Water quality is extremely important. We installed the Rheem performance plus water softener to improve the hard, harsh water that we currently have. We had a pro install it because we wanted to make sure they wouldn’t be any leaks or anything like that. It holds about 440 pound bags of salt. It has other features that are very good to have, angled tank designed for easy loading of salt, it has several settings, a light on the inside to show how much salt you have left, it has an agitator warranty and a built-in sediment filter as well as a low salt monitor.We are very happy with this and recommended very highly for everybody.
by MITCHIE
Feb 7, 2021
I have been needing a new water softener for some time now and I am so glad I waited for this Rhe...
I have been needing a new water softener for some time now and I am so glad I waited for this Rheem water softener to come out for sale with Home Depot. I have model rhs42 which looks to be the largest capacity as far as how many folks per house which this is I believe up to seven people water consumption. I have included several pictures from the owner's manual which is very detailed and let me just tell you that for my brother-in-law that installed it, he was very thankful. You will see pictures of the installation requirements, the programing, how to add the salt and the fact that this has a cleansing feature which I thought was really cool. The other wonderful piece from Rheem is the fact that this water softener comes completely assembled. It's delivered to you on a pallet and wrapped snugly so you receive it in the same condition that it left the warehouse. Since I just got it installed a day ago I can't really speak as to whether or not it's changed my Water World :-) the quality is wonderful. I love how it has a protective lid that you open up to find all of the controllers also the place where you would use the cleansing feature. One of my photos shows you the height compared to a water heater. It seems like that lid will keep things so much more protected than your standard water softener. Hope this helps with your decision :)
by Maddiegirl
Apr 14, 2021
Well upon having a plumber hook up the softner we...
Well upon having a plumber hook up the softner we found that the bypass valve wasn't even for the one I bought. With another trip to home depot to get the correct one from another new one and a 125.00 trip charge from the plumber I am less than pleased. I have spent a good deal of money just this year with home depot and in the past but I wasn't even offered a discount. Little bitter to say the least.
by KHRIS
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