water heaters

[Steve A W]

My water heater went to leaking and needs to be replaced.
I'm on well water, do I need a special anode rod or are they
all the same.
I've messaged AO Smith but haven't received an answer yet.
Thanks for any help.

 

[David G]

Not unless you have sulfur smell, then get aluminum rod.

 

[Janicholson]

Much depends on the mineral and salts content. From Iron, to Magnesium, the selection of or use of an anpode can be different. I would check with local plumbers to get opinions on best practices. Jim

 

[Dusty MI]

Like the guys say it depends on your water. I've found that in my area we are better off without one, I take them out when installing a new water.
The water is rather hard around here and using a water softener ahead of the softener greatly lengthens the life of the water heater.
A lot of people call a water heater a "hot water heater".
To that, I ask how do you heat hot water.

 

[David G]

That is interesting.

I have two water heaters in series, the second one would be a hot water heater.

 

[DoubleO7]

(quoted from post at 17:43:19 09/01/20) That is interesting.

I have two water heaters in series, the second one would be a hot water heater.

ot

Why two?
Is first one a solar heated water storage tank?

 

[544hydro]

I know a guy near me with two water heaters. His reasoning was the well water around here is about 42 degrees. He lets the first tank which he took all the insulation off bring the water to room temperature. The second one heats it. Dont know if it helps much or not.

 

[David G]

Two does help, but better to have both insulated and set to the same temperature.

 

[buickanddeere]

Not using a water softener ?

 

[sotxbill]

(quoted from post at 15:40:34 09/01/20)
Like the guys say it depends on your water. I've found that in my area we are better off without one, I take them out when installing a new water.
The water is rather hard around here and using a water softener ahead of the softener greatly lengthens the life of the water heater.
A lot of people call a water heater a "hot water heater".
To that, I ask how do you heat hot water.

'cause, I dont need a cold water heater in the cold water circuit. I only need a heater... for the HOT water circuit. Therefore... its a "hot water" heater. Not a hotdog heater. barn heater, milkhouse heater.

 

[Lee A. Schexnaider]

Check out Marathon water heaters from Ream. All plastic, they don't use anodes.