Water heater anode

[Fender]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Anode doesn't affect performance. It protects the tank from corrosion.

Yes, I wasn't suggesting that, only that after 13 years we had no issues - corrosion or otherwise.

[John in Santa Cruz]

even home water heaters have anodes. the anode serves to remove corrosive ions from the water before they leach materials from the tank and pipe fittings as hot water is far more reactive. if the water is 'soft', they aren't needed.

[Viajante]

If you ever remove the water heater element you can remove the anode at the same time. Then hose water into the heater element hole and you get a really good power flush of the tank.

Also re water heater. Last winter my electric/gas Suburban water heater failed on electric. The element tested good. So I moved to the thermostat/high limit switch and found it corroded and not conducting current from one side to the other. Easy $15 replacement. The cover over the thermostat was torn at the "reset" spot. Moisture got in right at the critical location and corroded the connection. New cover about $5.

Recently the heater failed again and the culprit was the switch. I pried out the old one and plugged in a new one. $10.

The point is, the electric side of the heater has only three components and each is accessible and inexpensive.

[John in Santa Cruz]

FWIW my 2014 E21 came with a propane only water heater.

[cpaharley2008]

I believe the dual source water heater is an option, one I never get......

[RideTN]

if the electric side is never used, only the propane should one be concerned with the anode?

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by RideTN

if the electric side is never used, only the propane should one be concerned with the anode?

yes. the anode is all about converting the hard minerals in the hot water into safe stuff rather than having them etch the inside of the heater tank. my water heater is propane only (SW6D), and it still needs an anode every couple years.

I just pulled this one out a couple months ago, it was in there for 3 years (lazy me, I forgot to check it the previous year)



not totally gone, but not much left.

[DT6]

Replace it annually (you should do this with your home water heater as well), regardless of electric or propane. Also get one of the tank cleaning kits that you add to a garden hose to help clean it out when you remove the old anode.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by DT6

Replace it annually (you should do this with your home water heater as well), regardless of electric or propane. Also get one of the tank cleaning kits that you add to a garden hose to help clean it out when you remove the old anode.

IMHO NO, you replace the anode when it NEEDS it, not based on a calendar. There are those that may NEED to replace more often than annually and still others... like ME, that can go several years.


In 50 years of owning a home, I've never placed the anode. The water heater(s) actually went out (Natural Gas) before the anode did.

[alanmalk]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

IMHO NO, you replace the anode when it NEEDS it, not based on a calendar. There are those that may NEED to replace more often than annually and still others... like ME, that can go several years.
...

I would second that.

After 3 months using Rio Grande Village (Big Bend NP) water, the anode was toast. After 3 more years using pure Rocky Mountain snow melt (aka: tap water), anode is fine. Both were/are magnesium.