Sacrificial Anode, The Hot Water Hero.

Not All Heroes Wear Capes

And the sacrificial anode in your hot water system is no different.

They are designed to corrode and protect the tank from rust and corrosion. By corroding preferentially, they divert the corrosive forces away from the tank’s metal lining, extending the lifespan of the hot water system.

A recent call to book a hot water system service saved our clients the cost of a new storage tank.

‘It should be checked every five to seven years but few people remember to get this done. If they did it would almost double the life of their system’, said Gavin, Sharps Services Hot Water technician.

‘Getting a hot water storage unit’s anode checked and replaced costs a fraction of a new tank.’

FAQ’s

My neighbours have had to buy a new storage hot water tank because its sacrificial anode failed. What happened?

• They didn’t replace the anode according to the manufacturer’s instructions and it stopped protecting the system.

How often should the anode be replaced?

• In all Hot Water storage tanks – Electric, Gas, Solar and Heat Pump, anode should be replaced every five-seven years.

Do many people do this?

• No. If they did they would almost double the life of their system and manufacturers would be more willing to give a warranty longer than 10 years.

Please explain more

• The anode is supposed to slowly degrade and then be replaced towards the end of its life. The degrading process actually protects the tank and its associated components.