Best Anode Rod For Softened Water
Since yous are chemically altering the composition of your H2O through the process of softening it, the anode rod that you purpose has to gibe this novel composition inward a mode that maintains adequate tank protection.
The truth is that H2O softener doesn’t go slowly on our anode rods, in addition to, therefore, we necessitate to make sure that we become 1 that volition perform good inwards this type of water. Keep scrolling to observe out which anode rods are best for softened water too why!
The best sacrificial anode rods to role for softened H2O is the magnesium rod, every bit magnesium tin can go on up amongst high volumes of corrosives that are present inwards softened water. Another excellent option is a powered anode rod, since it tin arrange to whatever type of water too volition not deteriorate over time.
Can a Water Softener Replace an Anode Rod?
Even though anode rods as well as water softeners are both designed to protect you H2O heater tank from the contents of the water it holds, they do so inward unlike ways too having ane does non preclude the necessity of the other.
Softening your water can eliminate the adventure of difficult H2O minerals edifice upwards together with compromising the metallic of your H2O heater, merely inwards so doing, it adds sodium to the H2O.
In fact, softened water contains quite a high concentration of sodium. Unfortunately, this element is an electrolyte as well as tin accelerate the corrosion process.
So, far from non being able to supervene upon the anode rod, a H2O softener actually increases the need for 1.
Effects of Water Softener on Anode Rods
As mentioned, sodium is a corrosive gist, much similar hard water’sec minerals are.
Besides introducing a substantial amount of sodium to your water, H2O softening also leads to the lowering of H2O pH, together with the elimination of problematic minerals in difficult H2O.
As far equally the consequence of softened water on an anode rod goes, the abrupt increase inward sodium affects the lifespan of the anode rod since it causes it to corrode at a much faster charge per unit. If the rod is not replaced in time, the H2O heater volition commence to rust besides.
Typically, sacrificial anode rods tin final nigh 5 years. In softened H2O, withal, anode rods concluding solely two to three years.
If your water is over-softened, your anode rod may solely last vi months.
In improver to this outcome of corroding as well quickly, you can have the reverse job: the rod does not corrode fast enough. How does this brand sense?
Well, typically, a relatively reactive metallic is a skillful option for anode rods. This is because they are able to make out alongside the number of corrosive elements in the water, keeping them away from the tank, merely they are not so reactive that they “overprotect” the tank, corroding needlessly fast.
In comparing, the vast quantity of corrosive elements inward softened H2O requires a really reactive anode rod that volition live able to continue upward in addition to not corrode ho-hum plenty that approximately of these elements are even so able to attack the tank.
Performance of Sacrificial Rods inward Softened Water
Sacrificial anode rods are made up of a fabric that is more than reactive than the cloth of the water tank. This high reactivity attracts corrosive elements to the anode rod. As a effect, the anode rod is corroded instead of the metal of your water heater tank.
All sacrificial anode rods serve this ane purpose. But since they tin can consist of a variety of different materials, or so materials may function amend for softened H2O than others.
Aluminum Anode Rods
Aluminum anode rods are amend for hard water that has a higher pH as well as higher mineral contents.
This is because aluminum is less reactive than other anode rod types.
Because of their lower reactivity, they tin detect a residual betwixt preferentially corroding and lasting longer.
A magnesium rod would chop-chop be corroded inward hard H2O.
Aluminum rods are as well ideal for naturally soft H2O that lacks lots of minerals as well as corrosive elements.
Zinc Anode Rods
Thanks to their exceptional properties, zinc anode rods are best-suited for odorous H2O.
Odor in water normally forms due to the presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria inwards your H2O. While the bacteria are basically harmless, they create hydrogen sulfide gas, which has a rotten egg-like smell that tin can live really bothersome.
An anode rod containing zinc tin make zinc ions as it corrodes. These ions can rapidly kill these bacteria as well as eliminate the odour.
However, since zinc anode rods are typically zinc-aluminum alloys, they are non the best selection for softened water.
Magnesium Anode Rods
Although they perform the same role, magnesium as well as aluminum rods differ inwards various ways.
For example, magnesium is far more than reactive than aluminum.
Because of this, magnesium anode rods are best for softened water that has a lower pH as well as big amounts of corrosive elements.
The magnesium anode rod is reactive plenty to go along upward alongside high volumes of corrosives as well as therefore tin better protect H2O heater tanks from softened H2O.
Are Powered Anodes Suitable for Softened Water?
Unlike sacrificial anode rods, whose ability to protect your H2O heater depends on the type of H2O and the type of metal the rod is made of, powered anode rods are suitable for all kinds of water.
They are able to adjust to any water type they are submerged in past adjusting their voltage to the resistance of the water.
The current they create provides protection against corrosives, even the high amounts of corrosives inwards softened water.
Magnesium vs Powered Anode Rod: Which Is Better?
Their Performance inwards Softened Water
While magnesium anode rods are suited for this surround because of their high reactivity, powered anode rods can perform equally well inward whatsoever environs.
Either ane can protect your water heater from corrosives in softened water.
While their performance is fairly evenly-matched, either one may come up out on peak when y'all factor in their additional benefits.
For magnesium anode rods, their benefit comes from adding magnesium ions to your H2O render equally the magnesium anode rod corrodes. Adding magnesium to your diet tin amend your overall digestive wellness.
For powered anode rods, their main additional benefit comes from the elimination of bad egg smells in your H2O. Not only tin can the current protect your H2O heater tank from corrosion, simply it tin can also kill sulfate-reducing bacteria in your H2O.
Comparing Lifespan
The principal departure betwixt a powered anode rod too a magnesium anode rod is how long they concluding.
While a magnesium anode rod is made to corrode over fourth dimension, a powered anode rod volition not deteriorate. Like all devices, though, a powered anode rod volition malfunction at close to bespeak.
However, a magnesium anode rod inward soft H2O may concluding only iii to five years, patch a powered anode rod tin last from half-dozen to 20 years.
Price
Because powered anode rods terminal longer, role more than complex engineering science, and are suited for all types of H2O, their prices are much higher than the prices of magnesium anode rods.
You can get a magnesium anode rod for $fifteen-$threescore. A powered anode rod, on the other paw, will cost you lot anywhere from $100 to $250.
Maintenance
If a sacrificial anode rod fully corrodes, the corrosives inward the H2O heater tank volition straightaway begin to corrode the metallic of the tank.
Therefore, the maintenance of a magnesium anode rod includes yearly checks as well equally replacing the rod every three to 5 years to prevent corrosion of your H2O heater tank.
The anode rod replacement price depends on the land of the anode rod besides every bit who does it. The toll for professional replacement is ofttimes $200-$300.
Unlike magnesium anode rods, powered anode rods make non ask much maintenance. They make apply electricity, notwithstanding, the cost of running a powered anode rod tin live every bit low equally well-nigh $ane.36 a year.
Table Summary
| Magnesium anode rods | Powered anode rods | |
| Price | $xv-$lx | $100-$250 |
| Protection from corrosion | Great inward soft water. | Great inwards all types of water. |
| Lifespan | 3-v years. | half dozen-xx years. |
| Need ability outlet | No. | Yes. |
| Operational cost | Depending on how oftentimes it needs to be replaced. | About $i.36 per twelvemonth. |
| Need to be replaced | Yes, more ofttimes. | Possibly, much less frequently. |
| Additional benefits | Magnesium is beneficial to digestive wellness. | Powered anode rods tin can eliminate bad egg smells. |
Which Anode Rod Should You Get for Softened Water?
While both options are adept, magnesium anode rods are a improve correspond for those who are looking for a lower purchasing cost and are willing to make the required maintenance as well as supercede the rod more than frequently.
Those who know their fashion about water heaters would salve coin installing in addition to replacing this anode rod and would most likely accept no job amongst the maintenance required.
I recommend the Blue Lightning Magnesium Flexible Anode Rod (amazon link) for its flexibility in addition to high ratings.
Powered anode rods are best for those who are looking for a longer lifespan in addition to would prefer non to check too supervene upon their anode rod.
It would besides live ideal for those who contend with bad egg smells inwards their water just would similar an anode rod that lasts longer than a zinc anode rod would. However, it is not ideal for areas with frequent ability outages or ability surges.
I recommend the Corro-Protec™ Powered Anode Rod (amazon link) for its high ratings in addition to the big range of compatibility. I too recommend you lot bank check out my ultimate powered anode rod lead to observe out everything you involve to know nearly these devices.
Sources
https://candjwater.com/2021/01/15/tin-a-H2O-softener-salvage-your-H2O-heater/
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