Are They Worth It?

Many people are making the swap to powered anode rods. Many are attracted to the low maintenance or its power to run in whatever water conditions. Others are desperate for a solution to become rid of their stinky water. Some power yet live pose off by the toll, or even merely by the fact that they are supposed to function inward all weather condition.

Yet, the price of these devices is oftentimes a sticking point for people. So, the big interrogation hangs in the air—are powered anodes worth it? Or is it all marketing hype? Powered rods are capable of doing all that they are said to, but their “worth” will depend on what it is you value. Let’second straight compare sure aspects of powered in addition to sacrificial anodes.

On average, users written report powered anode rods to be worth the toll. They deliver on what they claim, one.e., optimal tank protection, long lifespan, depression maintenance, as well as the power to go in all water weather. To avoid the well-nigh common outcome—faulty manufacturing—go for a well-reputed together with high-lineament make.

Anode Rod Design too Function

Powered Anode Rods

Powered anode rods are designed to last for a long fourth dimension, much longer than a sacrificial anode. Ideally, a powered anode volition be able to last for your H2O tank’second entire lifespan.

This is largely possible due to the fact that the component of the rod that comes inwards contact with H2O is made with titanium, a conductive and highly corrosion-resistant fabric.

These rods brand use of a kid electrical current to go along corrosion at bay together with preclude the make-upward of mineral deposits (limescale) on the anode together with the tank. Powered anode rods are able to automatically conform the current’second ability to your domicile’s water weather.

Sacrificial Anode Rods

Sacrificial anode rods are entirely meant to terminal a few years before replacement. They are made of metals that are more reactive than the textile of your tank, keeping corrosion at bay by attracting corrosive elements to themselves instead.

They are typically made from either magnesium or aluminum. The old is improve for homes alongside softened H2O, whereas the aluminum rods are improve for tanks alongside difficult H2O.

“Zinc” anode rods besides exist only are actually a predominantly aluminum alloy with a pocket-sized total of zinc. Zinc anodes are by and large used for good water or H2O amongst an eggy olfactory property.

Powered vs Sacrificial Anode Rods

Let’second beginning getting into the essence. More specifically, let’s showtime have a closer wait at the price together with maintenance differences betwixt powered as well as sacrificial rods, as these are likely 2 of the near of import factors inwards your determination.

Cost Difference

Depending on what sort of rod you lot buy, the price will vary greatly even among sacrificial rods.

Aluminum anode rods are the cheapest as well as can be establish for $fifteen-25.

Zinc anodes are slightly pricier at about $25-40.

Magnesium rods are the nearly expensive at anywhere from $thirty-seventy.

Powered anode rods are much more than expensive than whatsoever of these, usually found at about $150. They as well do accept a running price, though this is allegedly less than $ii a twelvemonth.

However, while powered anodes may accept a higher upfront cost, they may really live cheaper in the long function, depending on your situation.

If yous supplant your anode rods yourself together with only demand to supervene upon them every 5 years, using aluminum or zinc rods will probable live cheaper than a powered rod over a twenty-yr flow.

However, if you lot are replacing your rods any more than frequently than that, a powered rod is actually an equivalent or cheaper choice.

Furthermore, it’s of import to take into business relationship how much anode rod replacement costs if you lot do non make and then yourself. While prices will vary, it is probable you volition ask to pay a plumber betwixt $200 as well as $300 per anode replacement.

Maintenance Comparison

Powered anode rods, due to their long-term blueprint, shouldn’t necessitate whatsoever major maintenance unless something goes incorrect together with the rod fails.

On the other paw, sacrificial rods volition take total-out replacement every iii-v years, on average. Depending on the character as well as content of the water inward your habitation, yet, replacement may be needed more oft.

On peak of this, sacrificial rods are designed to corrode as well as rust. This does make the potential for your anode to seize, or go stuck due to corrosion most the threads.

A seized anode volition increment the fourth dimension too attempt needed to supplant the rod. You may involve to invest in equipment, like an affect wrench, and so the cost could increment. The cost would besides live higher if yous are paying soul to withdraw the seized anode for you lot.

Powered Anode Rods Can Handle Any Water

Powered anode rods are able to grip whatsoever type of H2O, whereas sacrificial anode rods are non. That is to tell, sacrificial anodes tin can live made of unlike material each of which only performs good inward certain types of water.

Magnesium, aluminum, as well as zinc are the three types of sacrificial rods available.

Magnesium anodes are not bad for taking aid of homes with softened H2O because they are reactive enough to go on upwardly with the high concentrations of sodium ions. On the other hand, aluminum rods are best suited to grip hard H2O every bit they are more durable inwards hard water atmospheric condition than magnesium.

Lastly, since zinc anodes are but aluminum rods amongst zinc added, they are as well good suited to hard water. They are, in add-on, the alone type of sacrificial rod capable of dealing amongst smelly water because of the toxic event that zinc has on the bacteria responsible for the sulfuric olfactory property.

Powered anode rods are non entirely able to function inward any type of water hardness, simply they are likewise able to rid H2O of smells. They will automatically suit to together with run in any weather.

If the type or beginning of your water provide ever changes, you volition take to examination it if y'all are using sacrificial rods to brand sure you are keeping upwards amongst the change in addition to using a compatible cloth. This is not a business amongst powered rods due to their adaptability.

What Are Users Saying?

Powered anode rods sound bully inwards theory, just it’second correct to be skeptical near switching to a novel type of device.

It does seem, yet, that the overall consensus on powered anode rods is that they run smashing, just as advertised.

Many people report that their powered anodes accept cured their smelly water. Others confirm that it has been several years since installation amongst no problems.

It appears that for the most part, those who have swapped over to powered anode rods are happy with their conclusion.

With that said, not everything will always be fine together with groovy. Like alongside whatsoever product, some potential problems make exist.

Amongst those who accept had issues with powered anode rods, the nearly common complaints look to live centered about faulty manufacturing.

A handful of users accept reported leaking from the superlative of the anode, faulty threading, too missing parts.

Additionally, piece well-nigh users look to live happy amongst their powered anode’sec odor elimination abilities, a few have reported footling to no modify in their water’second smell.

Top iii Powered Anode Rods Available

As of the second, Corro-Protec Powered Anode Rods _{^{(amazon link)}}seem to be dominant inward damage of popularity. The fellowship claims to “jibe any hot water tank on the market,” as well as their rods come up alongside a twenty-twelvemonth warranty.

To run across their sizing claim, Corro-Protec offers anode rods inwards 3 dissimilar sizes, meant to grip tanks from anywhere between ten-120 gallons. Additionally, they offering a model designed to match Bradford White H2O heaters, a heater brand that does non correspond criterion anodes.

The A.O. Smith Powered Anode Rod Systek ^{_{(amazon link)}} is considered second to Corro-Protec. A.O. Smith offers ane size of anode rod, suitable for thirty-50 gallon residential water tanks.

Last on this list is the STOLTCO Water Heater Powered Anode Rod Kit _{^{(amazon link)}}. While it comes inward i size alone, STOLTCO’second powered anode rod tin can automatically accommodate to protect tanks amongst a capacity of anywhere from xx-150 gallons.