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AO Smith residential water heater. 6 year versus 10 year

STEAM DOCTOR
STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 2,098
Good morning. Is there a difference between the sixth year and the 10-year water heaters? Guys in the supply houses don't seem to know. Some say the 10-year has an extra anode rod. Thanks. The insulation on the 10 year is thicker.

Comments

  • GGross
    GGross Member Posts: 1,151
    Should be the same as the American brand, the warranty is the only difference as far as I can see on the specs and features.
    ethicalpaul
  • dko
    dko Member Posts: 668
    edited January 5
    The only difference is they put an aluminum anode in the 6-year (part# 100109594) and magnesium in the 10-year (part# 100108660)
    Insulation and everything else is the same.

    The extra anode rod is only when you buy an extension warranty separately for your 6-year to turn it into a 10-year.

  • Larry Weingarten
    Larry Weingarten Member Posts: 3,481
    Hi, For what it's worth, my approach has been to add a second rod to a five or six year tank. It gets the client a long-lived tank at a lower price. I only use magnesium when the water might be ingested.😋

    Yours, Larry
  • guzzinerd
    guzzinerd Member Posts: 244
    Hi, For what it's worth, my approach has been to add a second rod to a five or six year tank. It gets the client a long-lived tank at a lower price. I only use magnesium when the water might be ingested.😋 Yours, Larry
    Just curious, why add a 2nd rod instead of just changing them out every couple/three years?
    Bryant 245-8 2-pipe steam in a 1930s 6-unit 1-story apt building in the NM mountains.  26 radiators heating up 3800sqf.
  • MikeL_2
    MikeL_2 Member Posts: 509
      I prefer installing a powered anode on 6 year warrantee heaters. The tank can last up to 25 years with proper routine maintenance. 
  • Larry Weingarten
    Larry Weingarten Member Posts: 3,481
    Hi @guzzinerd , A second anode provides somewhat better protection (particularly in gas fired heaters) and also reduces the frequency of servicing. Most people are not too good at doing the service work. Also, I've been able to get over fifty years from tanks with regular maintenance. B)

    Yours, Larry
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,318
    I think the powered anode and checking that the power supply is on every once in a while is more the level of maintenance i'm likely to do.