Compare TAC Tankless Water Heater Filters
comparison of TAC water filters designed to prevent mineral scale in tankless water heaters
| Learn More About Water Quality & Tankless Water Heaters: | |
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There are a variety of water filters available for preventing hard water mineral scale build-up in tankless water heaters.
Template Assisted Crystallization technology (TAC) is widely regarded as the preferred treatment method given its effectiveness, low maintenance, simple operation, and environmentally friendly profile.
Most other water heater filters use polyphosphate (also marketed as Siliphos) to sequester hard water minerals. While reasonably priced, the performance of polyphosphate filters is really dependent upon frequent filter changes that are easily forgotten or neglected. Furthermore, the release of polyphosphates into the environment is undesirable (in our opinion) as it can drive excessive algae growth in rivers and streams.
ecoTAC Protector Series filters offer the best value in tankless water heater filters. They use the same underlying technology as the other brands, but are available at a substantially lower price point, have the flexibility of selecting a 4 GPM flow rate (which is more indicative of actual hot water flows), and include a superior collection of inlet and outlet fittings and shut-off valves.
| Comparison of TAC Hard Water Filter Models for Tankless Water Heaters: | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model: | ecoTAC Protector Series | Watts OneFlow OFTWH |
Takagi Product Preservers | Noritz H2Flow (H2F) |
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| Protector 4 | Protector 6 | SM1.0L | LG1.5L | |||
| Price (US$): | $299.95 | $349.95 | $420 to $560 | $420 | $600 | $435 to $560 |
| Technology: | Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC) | Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC) | Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC) | Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC) | Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC) | Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC) |
| TAC Media Volume: | 1 L | 1.5 L | not published | 1 L | 1.5 L | not published |
| Flow Rate Options: | 4 GPM | 6 GPM | 6 GPM | 4 GPM | 6 GPM | 6 GPM |
| Mounting Bracket: | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Inlet Full Flow Shut-Off Valve: | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Outlet Full Flow Shut-Off Valve: | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Inlet/Outlet: | 3/4" Quick Connect Style | 3/4" Quick Connect Style | 3/4" | 3/4" | 3/4" | 3/4" |
| Pressure Relief Button: | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Replacement Cartridge Price (US$): | $179.95 every 2 years |
$239.95 every 2 years |
$280 to $310 every 2 years |
$268 every 2 years |
$405 every 2 years |
$292 to $330 every 2 years |
