Water Heaters - Anode Rod Maintenance and Service
Anode rods are designed and installed to protect and extend the life of residential water storage tanks.Maintenance
The anode rod must be removed from the water heater’s tank and inspected annually, and replaced when more than 6” (15.2 cm) of core wire is exposed at either end of the rod.- Exception: The anode rod on the small Point of Use Water Heaters models (such as GE02P08BAR and GE06P08BAR) is not designed to be replaced.
- Please be aware that artificially-softened water will cause the anode rod to consume more rapidly.
- Do not remove the anode rod from the water heater’s tank except for inspection and/or replacement, as operation with the anode rod removed will shorten the life of the glass-lined tank and will void warranty coverage.
Some areas have water conditions that may cause an odor to develop in the water heater. Special alloy replacement rods are available to address the condition.
- Failure to replace the anode rod when consumed voids the warranty for the tank. Warranty coverage for all other components remains intact, and is unaffected by this maintenance requirement. The replacement anode rod, and the inspection for consumption are not covered by warranty.