Life Span of an electric DHW Heater?

Cyclist77

I will be installing a new gas boiler and a indirect DHW tank. But as I was looking at my current setup I started thinking "Why not keep it as a backup "!

I installed this tank in 2008 and have drained it on a regular basis. Other than 1 new element that is all . It has been used in conjunction with a coil in my coal stoker boiler.

So thoughts on my idea?

Thanks!

Jamie Hall

If you've got the space, why not? Lifespan is variable — I had one I replaced last summer, not because it was leaking but because the outside housing had rusted out. Only about 30 years old. On the other hand… depends a lot on water quality.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Hard to tell but at 17 years old it probably won't last much longer unless it is a stone lined water heater.

GroundUp

Water quality goes a long way here, and of course the old "they don't make things like they used to" adage. My parents are still using their original 30G electric water heater from 1984 when they built the house. I have one from 1976 in one my rental homes that was working well until the basement flooded last year (tenant unplugged the sump pump) and burned up the lower thermostat. I did replace the thermostat and had it working again, but did some replumbing and put in a new one shortly after. On the other side of that coin, I replaced one a few weeks ago in another rental that was leaking, despite having installed it new in 2017 when I bought the place. Yet another I don't even know the age of, but I'd guess early-mid 90s, that I put an anode rod and upper element in about 10 years ago but otherwise has been untouched for a long time. I don't ever drain them or perform any service whatsoever unless they're acting up, and none of the above have softeners.

Larry Weingarten

Hi @Cyclist77 , I'd just replace the existing anode with a magnesium one. Then post photos of the old one here. We can give you an idea of the condition inside of the tank by "reading" the old rod. I've had no problem getting fifty years from tanks with regular anode replacement. I'll add that the T&P is a good thing to check or replace as well, while you're at it. Knowing what pressures the tank is subject to is useful also.

Yours, Larry

hot_rod

How often do you think you would need back up? Is it worth the piping and risk?

PeteA

I kept mine in place as a backup. I just have it valved off and the lines blown out and the breaker marked and turned off. I was out of hot water for a few weeks due to a leak in my combi units heat exchanger on the hot water side and I will never go through that again. Now that my newer combi is in place and running the heat and hot water, I have the electric ready to go if anything ever happens.

Cyclist77

Larry , I will go ahead and order a replacement. But 2 questions best way to size it. And I have a ceiling height challenge. Can I bend it?

Larry Weingarten

Hi, You can get segmented rods, so overhead clearance isn't a problem until it's less than 1.5 feet. 😉

Yours, Larry

mattmia2

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1851576#Comment_1851576

You can get a sectional one that can be bent and straightened as you put it in. If you only need to bend it a little you can bend a regular one, slip the end in, and straighten it.

Cyclist77

Well I took a close look at the tank,Bradford White, and it appears the anode rod is part of the supply or return. So scrap that idea.

Larry Weingarten

Hi, They make segmented anodes with the hot water outlet too, so that shouldn't slow you down. 🤠

Yours, Larry

mattmia2

or you could just put a powered anode in. now that i'm looking at conventional anode prices, they are trying to make powered anodes price competitive….