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Why Salt-Free Water Filtration Makes Sense in Albuquerque
If you've lived in Albuquerque for any length of time, you've seen what our hard water does — white scale on faucets and showerheads, mineral buildup inside your water heater, spots on dishes, and dry skin and hair after every shower. Traditional salt-based water softeners solve some of these problems, but they come with drawbacks: they waste water during regeneration cycles, add sodium to your drinking water, require ongoing salt purchases, and are increasingly restricted by local water regulations.
That's why salt-free water filtration systems have become so popular in the Albuquerque market. They condition your water without chemicals, don't waste water, require minimal maintenance, and leave beneficial minerals intact. MGP Mechanical carries two leading salt-free product lines: the Navien WEC Series and Atlas Filtri whole-home systems. Both are excellent — but they serve different needs and budgets.
Navien WEC Series: The Smart All-in-One System
The Navien WEC isn't just a filter — it's an intelligent water management system that combines multiple functions into a single unit. Here's what sets it apart:
Scale prevention: The WEC uses salt-free technology to keep minerals dissolved in water rather than depositing on your pipes, fixtures, and appliances. This protects your tankless water heater, dishwasher, washing machine, and every plumbing fixture in your home.
Water conditioning: Beyond scale prevention, the WEC conditions water to improve taste, clarity, and feel. Many homeowners notice softer-feeling water and better-tasting tap water after installation.
Built-in hot water recirculation: This is the WEC's standout feature. Traditional plumbing makes you run the tap and wait for hot water to arrive from the water heater — wasting gallons of water every day. The WEC's optional recirculation feature keeps hot water ready at every tap so you get hot water almost instantly. In a desert city where water conservation matters, eliminating that daily waste adds up to thousands of gallons saved per year.
Smart monitoring: The WEC includes app connectivity that tracks water usage, monitors filter status, and sends maintenance alerts. You know exactly when filters need replacing instead of guessing.
Navien ecosystem integration: When paired with a Navien NPE-2 tankless water heater, the WEC creates a complete water management ecosystem — treated water feeds into the heater, protecting the heat exchanger, while recirculation delivers instant hot water everywhere.
Warranty: 1-year labor and 5-year parts when registered with Navien.
Atlas Filtri: Proven European Filtration Technology
Atlas Filtri is an Italian manufacturer with decades of experience in water filtration. Their systems focus on doing filtration extremely well with reliable, time-tested technology. MGP Mechanical carries three Atlas Filtri products:
Whole House Kit: A single-stage system using a DP BIG housing (4.5" x 10" or 20" cartridge). It handles sediment removal and scale reduction at up to 15 GPM with a 120 PSI rating. This is the entry-level option for whole-home protection — straightforward, effective, and affordable.
DP BIG Duo: The two-stage flagship. Stage one handles sediment and scale with Atlas Filtri's ScaleArmor media. Stage two uses a carbon block (CTO) to remove chlorine, taste, and odor. At 15–20 GPM flow rate and 120 PSI, the Duo handles the demands of larger homes easily. Filter life is approximately 12 months, and replacements are simple cartridge swaps.
Hydra: A self-cleaning backwash filter with a 90-micron stainless steel mesh screen. The Hydra acts as a pre-filter that catches sediment and particulates before they reach your main filtration system. The reusable cartridge means no ongoing filter purchases for this stage — you just flush it clean. Rated at 125 PSI with a 1" NPT connection.
Warranty: 12-month limited warranty on all Atlas Filtri products.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Here's how the two product lines compare on the features that matter most to Albuquerque homeowners:
Scale prevention: Both systems use salt-free technology to prevent scale buildup. The Navien WEC integrates scale prevention with conditioning and monitoring. Atlas Filtri's ScaleArmor media in the Duo and Whole House Kit handles scale prevention as part of the filtration process. Both keep beneficial minerals in your water — neither strips calcium and magnesium like a salt softener does.
Filtration depth: The Atlas Filtri DP BIG Duo has an edge in pure filtration — its two-stage system with carbon block removes chlorine, taste, odor, and sediment. You can also add the Hydra as a pre-filter for a three-stage setup. The Navien WEC focuses more on conditioning and scale prevention with sediment filtration. For homeowners whose primary concern is removing contaminants and improving water taste, the Atlas Filtri Duo is hard to beat.
Smart features: The Navien WEC wins here — app connectivity, usage tracking, and maintenance alerts are built in. Atlas Filtri systems are straightforward mechanical filtration with no electronics, which some homeowners actually prefer for simplicity and reliability.
Hot water recirculation: Only the Navien WEC offers this. If you're tired of waiting for hot water and want to save water, this feature alone can justify the WEC. Atlas Filtri systems don't include recirculation — you'd need a separate recirculation pump.
Maintenance: Atlas Filtri systems use standard cartridge replacements (approximately every 12 months for the Duo). The Hydra's self-cleaning mesh means even less maintenance for that stage. The Navien WEC has its own filter replacement schedule, with smart alerts telling you when it's time.
Pairing with tankless water heaters: If you have or are considering a Navien tankless water heater, the WEC is the natural companion — they're designed to work together, and pairing them extends your labor warranty by an additional year. Atlas Filtri systems work great with any water heater brand but don't offer the integrated ecosystem benefits.
Which System Is Right for You?
Choose the Navien WEC if: you want an all-in-one smart system, hot water recirculation is important to you, you have or plan to install a Navien tankless water heater, and you like app-based monitoring and alerts.
Choose Atlas Filtri if: deep multi-stage filtration is your priority (especially the Duo's carbon block for chlorine and taste), you prefer simple mechanical systems with no electronics, you want a more budget-friendly entry point (the Whole House Kit), or you like the option to build a custom multi-stage setup with the Hydra pre-filter.
Consider both together: Some homeowners install an Atlas Filtri Hydra as a pre-filter upstream of a Navien WEC, getting the best of both worlds — self-cleaning sediment removal feeding into smart water conditioning with recirculation.
Albuquerque's Hard Water Demands Real Solutions
Our city's water is hard. The mineral content causes real damage to plumbing, appliances, and fixtures over time. Either product line will protect your home — the choice comes down to which features matter most to you. Both are salt-free, both keep beneficial minerals, and both are designed for whole-home protection.
MGP Mechanical is both a certified Navien Service Specialist and an authorized Atlas Filtri dealer. We install and service both product lines and can help you choose the right system based on your home's water quality, your existing plumbing setup, and your priorities. We also carry the Navien PeakFlo line for point-of-entry filtration needs.
Check out our rebates page for current savings on water treatment systems, and explore financing options to make the investment easier. Call (505) 917-4130 or visit our water filtration page to get started.