Aluminum anode rods are best for places with hard water. The aluminum rod will withstand harder water better than a magnesium or zinc rod. Zinc anode rods are designed to eliminate or reduce the sulphur or rotten egg smell present. A Zinc anode rod made from a combination of aluminum and zinc.
which anode rod is better?
Beside this, which anode rod is better?A magnesium water heater anode rod protects your tank better but doesn’t last as long as an aluminum/ zinc rod. Aluminum/zinc rods anode are cheaper and are recommended if you have smelly water.
what is the best anode rod for a water heater?
Aluminum. Aluminum and aluminum/zinc anode rods are used in similar ways as magnesium sacrificial rods. However, aluminum rods are the better choice for a water heater that heats up sulfate-tinged water. Sacrificial anodes change sulfates into hydrogen sulfides.
which is better aluminum or magnesium anode rod?
For harder water an aluminum anode rod is the best choice for your heater and if you live in an area with soft water then a magnesium anode rod is your best choice. Aluminum anodes tend to be cheaper than magnesium anode rods. A magnesium rod will generally last less than an aluminum rod.
Are all anode rods the same?
A: An anode rod is aluminum or magnesium cast around a steel core wire and hex head. For residential-type heaters, all anodes are the same diameter — 3/4-inch. If you have a 30-gallon or what they call a low-boy — a short, broad 40-gallon, you might have to shorten it.
What size anode rod do I need?
If hidden an easy solution would be to remove the nipple on the hot water side with a pipe wrench and install a nipple outlet anode rod. Most gas or electric water heaters require a standard rod length of 44”. On some tall electric or solar storage tanks a rod 51” in length would be required. You may also read,
How often should you replace anode rod?
In most cases, you will need to change your water heater anode rod approximately once every 6 years so long as it operates under normal working conditions. However, depending on the composition of your water, you may need to change the anode rod more frequently. Check the answer of
How much do anode rods cost?
Anode Rod – $20-$50 Plumbers suggest getting a new anode rod every five years. The rod itself is only $20-$50 and, with proper instructions and precautions, you can perform this maintenance on your own. The anode rod keeps the inside of your tank from corroding. It does so by drawing the corrosion to itself.
How long do anode rods last?
Anode rods generally can last about three to five years but it really depends mostly on the quality of your water and how much water travels through your water heater. Read:
Can anode rod causing rotten egg smell?
If the anode rod isn’t corroded, the hot water’s sulfur smell could be due to sulfur bacteria growth. Sulfur bacteria occurs naturally in the water supply and can breed in the water heater, causing an increase in hydrogen sulfide gas.
Can anode rods be cut?
You can cut the anode rod to the length you need. The best way to cut the anode rod is with a hacksaw. Use a file to smooth the cut and install the rod.
Why does my hot water smell?
The most common cause of smelly water is anaerobic bacteria that exist in some water and react with sulfur and the magnesium and aluminum sacrificial anodes that come with most water heaters to produce hydrogen sulfide gas, making the classic rotten egg odor. By the way, don’t blame the water heater manufacturers.
What does a magnesium anode rod do?
The anode rod is a piece designed to slow down corrosion and rusting in water heaters. The rod is made of magnesium, which wears out faster than steel. When water corrodes the magnesium, the anode rod releases electrons into the tank which form a protective barrier around the steel of the tank.
How long do magnesium anodes last?
So if you used a magnesium anode in place of the “100 day” zinc anode it would only last 30 days. The aluminum anode would last between 130 and 150 days.
Can you cut a magnesium anode rod?
You can cut your sacrificial anode, whether it is magnesium or aluminum, in order to replace it. To do this, use a pair of gloves and a saw and cut as you remove the old anode.
