anode rod

[slls]

I have maintained a oil hot water heater for decades. I have replaced the rod every 5 yrs, it is always worn to nothing.

I retired it and purchased a electric 30 gal Rheem 5yrs ago. This morning I pulled the rod and it has little wear, It was almost completely cover with a tan yellow crust, have never seen anything like it on my oil heater. I scraped it all off and reinstalled, will pull it one year and check. What gives?

 

[protech]

The anode rod in the new heater is likely made of a different metal than th e ones you have been getting. You may have been installing magnesium anodes in the past and this heater came with and aluminum one or vice versa.

 

[IFIXH20]

The coating is signs of anode rod doing it's job.

 

[slls]

I see, the magnesium would disappear. So the aluminum will more less last forever, very little wear in 5 years.