Powered anode for DHW....do these really work?

Howie718

Hello All,

My hot water heater is about 3 years old and I'm going to set up a service call to check and replace, if needed, the anode rod. I have low basement ceiling, but I know that they make anode rods that are in sections to deal with this situation. The HWH is a Rheem gas fired unit. I do have a whole house water softener...the water here is hard as rocks.

I stumbled on an advertisement by Corro-Protect claiming a 20 year life and superior protection of a hot water heater...so I am interested in knowing....is this snake oil, or do powered anodes really work and worth the investment?

Thank you, Howie

EBEBRATT-Ed

@Larry Weingarten ? would know

dko

Most recent discussion about this topic here:
https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/191874/water-heater-anode-rod

HeatingDanny

I haven't had any experience with powered Anode rods. I have used folding anode rods in the past, especially when there is a low ceiling.
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Rheem-SP8371B-0-840x-54-Magnesium-R-Tech-Anode-Rod

Larry Weingarten

Hi and yes, powered anodes do work. One thing is that they should have a small light on them that lets you know the unit is actually working. Check the light periodically as the electronics do sometimes fail.

On a related topic, try to leave 3-6 grains of hardness in the water after softening. That bit of hardness is protective of the plumbing.

Yours, Larry

jesmed1

I recently got tired of replacing the anode rods in our 75 gallon gas-fired water heater and installed a Corro-Protec powered anode rod. So I'm glad to hear from @Larry Weingarten that they do work. 

There are cheaper ones, but the Corro-Protec has a 20 year warranty and a serial # that the company will track when you register it.

For us the investment is worth it because our condo building uses a lot of hot water and I was replacing the rods every year. After 1 year, a magnesium rod would be totally gone.

SuperTech

I've heard nothing but good things about them. I've seen them on high end Buderus indirect tanks and they definitely appear to work.

kcopp

I have used them several times especially where sulphur smell is an issue. Nothing but good results.