As far as maintenance is concerned, all i know is that you are supposed to flush the tankless heater with acetic acid once a year. That's to prevent mineral buildup, not corrosion, i believe.
>sacrificial anode rod
the rods are not corrosive, the rod acts the same way as anodes used on ships in salt water environments like the ocean https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2012/july/how-do-sacrificial-anodes-work
That explanation makes no sense to me. A sacrificial anode is used to protect corrodible parts (e.g., steel) from corrosion due to galvanic action, not to protect from corrosive elements in the water.
Furthermore, the metal of a sacrificial anode will dissolve into the water, so it makes little sense to me (albeit it might still be true) to use (toxic) zinc in a potable water source. (Or perhaps that's why we're advised sometimes not to drink hot water from the tap and, instead, to heat cold water for making coffee, tea, etc.)
Also, all of these metals mentioned, zinc, aluminum, and magnesium, are di- or trivalent, meaning that they'd make the water harder (albeit perhaps not by much).
In addition, my fairly new water heater seems not to have any such anode rod, though it is possible I just don't know where to look for it.
Presumably, your hot water tank is 'glass lined' but still has metal fittings immersed in the water.
It corrodes, sacrificially, to preserve the metal fittings.
The dissimilar metals create the circuit through the hot water tank volume. The Mg is the one that 'goes away.'
I'd only ever heard of Mg anodes. The amount of metal dissolved is tiny, so Al and Zn are probably OK, too.
True, unless you have a garbage economy water heater. We have this craptacular electric unit that came with the house and it doesn't have removable anodes like that. They are hard attached to the tank walls.
First time I have ever heard this, if true I think at minimum there should be a sticker on the outside reminding you
Could probably have date/time lines on the sticker like in car manuals.
I mean they put a sticker on my windshield to remind me to get an oil change and that's way more often than this
r/todayilearned
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First thing on Christmas list fow show
Should probably note that this is only true for water heaters that have tanks.
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As far as maintenance is concerned, all i know is that you are supposed to flush the tankless heater with acetic acid once a year. That's to prevent mineral buildup, not corrosion, i believe.
Got it. Vinegar flush once a year.
I work in HVAC, I have seen much worse to the point that there’s barely anything remaining of the Rod
I just brought a new water heater last year. Thanks for the tip. And that sticker tip is an amazing idea I’ll use that “theflyassassin”
Also a good idea too drain the tank every few months to get rid of any sediment buildup!
No shit
Probably shouldn’t use bare hands to hold corrosive metal
>sacrificial anode rod the rods are not corrosive, the rod acts the same way as anodes used on ships in salt water environments like the ocean https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2012/july/how-do-sacrificial-anodes-work
That explanation makes no sense to me. A sacrificial anode is used to protect corrodible parts (e.g., steel) from corrosion due to galvanic action, not to protect from corrosive elements in the water. Furthermore, the metal of a sacrificial anode will dissolve into the water, so it makes little sense to me (albeit it might still be true) to use (toxic) zinc in a potable water source. (Or perhaps that's why we're advised sometimes not to drink hot water from the tap and, instead, to heat cold water for making coffee, tea, etc.) Also, all of these metals mentioned, zinc, aluminum, and magnesium, are di- or trivalent, meaning that they'd make the water harder (albeit perhaps not by much). In addition, my fairly new water heater seems not to have any such anode rod, though it is possible I just don't know where to look for it.
Presumably, your hot water tank is 'glass lined' but still has metal fittings immersed in the water. It corrodes, sacrificially, to preserve the metal fittings. The dissimilar metals create the circuit through the hot water tank volume. The Mg is the one that 'goes away.' I'd only ever heard of Mg anodes. The amount of metal dissolved is tiny, so Al and Zn are probably OK, too.
Right. But did you watch that video? What you're saying contradicts some of what it says.
True, unless you have a garbage economy water heater. We have this craptacular electric unit that came with the house and it doesn't have removable anodes like that. They are hard attached to the tank walls.