Water heaters should be maintained regularly in order to keep them running effectively and efficiently to keep your energy bill down. Regular service can also help stretch your water heater’s lifespan. Normally, we recommend water heaters be serviced once a year, especially if your water heater sees a lot of use. One of the most important parts of maintenance is checking and replacing the anode rod in your water heater.
What Is An Anode Rod?
The anode rod is a metal rod that runs down the center of your tank, usually made from magnesium, aluminum, or aluminum/zinc alloy. This is one of the most vital components of your water heater. The reason that an anode rod is usually made from such material is so that it helps reduce the likelihood of and corrosion of your water heater.
What Does An Anode Rod Do?
You might be wondering, what does an anode rod do that makes it such an important component of a water heater? The purpose of an anode rod is to attract the sediment and corrosive elements (like minerals in the water) so that they corrode the anode rod rather than the inside of your water heater tank. In essence, an anode rod works to protect your water heater from corrosive elements that can damage your water heater. There are a number of factors that affect the corrosion of your water heater. These include chemical processes (which lead to the process of rusting and corrosion), water acidity (which makes water highly acidic), and heat (which increases the time it takes for corrosion and rust to take place. Water heaters are generally very vulnerable to corrosion and rusting, which is why an anode rod is so important.
Anode Rod Replacement
Although an anode rod serves a critical purpose and protects your water heater, it naturally wears off in time. Because of the mineral content in the Las Vegas water supply, it is important to get your anode rod replaced more often than in other parts of the country. Make sure to get yours replaced on a regular basis to ensure that your water heater is running efficiently and effectively. We recommend getting your anode rod checked annually or biannually.
On average, water heaters use almost 20% of household energy, but when the heater malfunctions, it may have to work twice as hard to give you the same amount of hot water. This can lead to an increase in your energy costs, and might seriously impact your household expenses. It is also very important to get your anode rode checked frequently in order to avoid further damage from happening and to also avoid costly repairs that can be avoided with the proper care, maintenance, and repair.
Save yourself from cold showers and expensive repairs. Do yourself and your family a favor – get your water heater checked and contact Sierra Air Conditioning & Plumbing today!
