Anode Rod Question

[Macdawgg]

Hi guys quick question my HWT is 8yrs old and electirc. It's a Rheem Fury that came with the house new when I moved in. Question is should I replace it now? is this something that should be done after so many years? My tank has a 6yr warranty and I didn't know about flushing the tank which I did for the first time this past week. It's just me in the home so I'm thinking the tank may last longer but is replacing that rod part of maintenance that should be done?

 

[Geofd]

yes, not sure if changing the anode at this point would lengthen its life span....

 

[sarg]

Just providing info ............. I visited a local hardware store for Water heater installation parts and the employee there told me a few things. He said they sell Rheem water heaters and a seminar he attended disclosed that the "only" difference between Rheem 6 year warranty and the units with a longer warranty period (8 year?) was the unit price. The heaters were identical with different part numbers.

I installed my current unit in 2006.

 

[Jeff Handy]

Some heaters with a longer warranty come with a second anode rod installed.

 

[Macdawgg]

Just providing info ............. I visited a local hardware store for Water heater installation parts and the employee there told me a few things. He said they sell Rheem water heaters and a seminar he attended disclosed that the "only" difference between Rheem 6 year warranty and the units with a longer warranty period (8 year?) was the unit price. The heaters were identical with different part numbers.

I installed my current unit in 2006.

I'm wondering if I were to say change the anode rod and

 

[Macdawgg]

I meant to say by changing the rod and elements every 4-5 yrs and flushing once a year would it be possible to get 15-20 yrs out of my tank?