Have you ever heard of a sacrificial anode rod? Most homeowners have no clue what it is, but the sacrificial anode rod is a very important part of your water heater. While it’s not a topic you discuss around the dinner table, it is something interesting that you might like to learn more about.
After all, your water heater has an important job in your home. And the more you know about it, the better you understand how it works. When you know how your water heater works, you can identify problems faster when something goes wrong. If you need Calgary water heater services, our team can help.
What is a Sacrificial Anode Rod?
It’s a part you’ve never heard of. Just reading the three words together, you may never know that it’s even a part of your water heater, let alone a very important one. The sacrificial anode rod has the potential to save you a lot of money on home maintenance over the years. It can extend the life of your water heater by up to twice the standard life expectancy.
Let’s talk about the science behind your water heater’s sacrificial anode rod. You may not think about it often, but water is extremely corrosive. Places like the Grand Canyon only exist because of the water flow that carved out the intricacies that we find so breathtaking. Now think about that same water flowing through the pipes in your home, and even your hot water heater.
But water can’t corrode your pipes and plumbing, right? Wrong! While it does happen very slowly over time, water does impact your pipes, plumbing, and even your water heater. But the sacrificial anode rod is inside your water heater for this very reason. This rod has a single purpose, and you might be able to guess what that purpose is from the first word in its name – sacrificial.
How it Works
The sacrificial anode rod attracts minerals and other corrosive particles in your water. This keeps those particles away from the rest of your water heater and out of your pipes. But over time, the sacrificial anode rod wears down and no longer helps. It has a set lifespan after which it needs to be replaced. If you don’t replace the sacrificial anode rod, your water heater liner is vulnerable to the corrosive properties of water.
You can expect the rod to last around two to three years before needing to be replaced. The number of corrosive particles in your water contributes to how long the sacrificial anode rod lasts. Annual water heater maintenance is a great way to ensure that your water heater lasts longer. Replacing the sacrificial anode rod every two to three years can ensure that your water heater lasts even longer than the average lifespan. It’s a small expense that can double the life of your water heater.
Contact Ace Plumbing and Heating today to schedule an appointment for your evaporative cooler. Happy Today or You Don’t Pay!