pottowitz
March 21, 2013, 7:57pm
1
Had a call from a client that is buying a new hot water heater. He is concerned that the sacrificial anode in the heater is aluminum and wonders if the aluminum contaminates the hot water
mlarson
March 21, 2013, 8:24pm
2
Depends on the water in your area.
Different Types
Aluminum
Aluminum anode rods are best for places with hard water. The aluminum rod will withstand harder water than any other type. Aluminum may be a health problem, so to be safe you may not want to drink hot water and make sure to run some cold water through the faucet spout before drinking the water. Keep in mind, our sodas come in aluminum cans too.
Magnesium
Magnesium anode rods are the most common type of anode rod. They are used in places where water is softer. They do not last very long when you have hard water, a couple years at best. This is the main reason water heaters don’t last long after the anode rod is eaten up.
Zinc
Zinc anode rods are really just aluminum anode rods with a small portion being zinc. The ratio of zinc to aluminum is 1:10. The reason zinc is added is to combat any sulfur smell coming from the water. A new water heater is never installed with a zinc anode rod already in it, but it is a good upgrade if you experience rotten egg smell coming from your hot water.
jfrederick
March 21, 2013, 8:28pm
3
rcooke
March 21, 2013, 8:52pm
4
Thanks Joshua … Great info much appreciated… Roy
pcampbell
March 27, 2013, 1:45am
5
Great Link!
for the record, it is called A Water Heater! The word Hot has no place.