life expectancy of water heaters

[TrickyFox]

Does anyone know if gas water heaters last longer than electric ones? Rather fancy a gas one for instantaneous (almost) supply. Any thoughts?

[Spitfire58]

No idea TF but I thought the issue was more the water composition, re, mineral leeching from the metals of the actual heater construction with heated water so gas or electric may not make a difference 🤔🤔

[Johnrgby]

No idea TF but I thought the issue was more the water composition, re, mineral leeching from the metals of the actual heater construction with heated water so gas or electric may not make a difference 🤔🤔

Exactly the info I was given by my plumber Ron, it is the makeup of the water rather than power source.

[beachlife]

Most boilers contain a sacrificial anode. If you change the anode on a regular basis then the boiler should last longer. I have thermal solar panels with a tank holding 300 litres of water & change the anode (which is 3/4`s of a metre in length) every 4 years and its been installed since 2010 (fingers crossed) its still going strong.

The problem is most people don`t know or can`t be bothered to change the anode. So the minerals within the water attack the casing when the small anode in the normal anodes in most of the boilers used on the island have all been exhausted. Change the anode & you`ll get at least double the age or more on a boiler before you have to change it.

[TrickyFox]

Most boilers contain a sacrificial anode. If you change the anode on a regular basis then the boiler should last longer. I have thermal solar panels with a tank holding 300 litres of water & change the anode (which is 3/4`s of a metre in length) every 4 years and its been installed since 2010 (fingers crossed) its still going strong.

The problem is most people don`t know or can`t be bothered to change the anode. So the minerals within the water attack the casing when the small anode in the normal anodes in most of the boilers used on the island have all been exhausted. Change the anode & you`ll get at least double the age or more on a boiler before you have to change it.

When we enquired about solar water heating a couple of years ago, we were told that the anode needed changing every year so didn't think it was worth it.

[Spitfire58]

Most boilers contain a sacrificial anode. If you change the anode on a regular basis then the boiler should last longer. I have thermal solar panels with a tank holding 300 litres of water & change the anode (which is 3/4`s of a metre in length) every 4 years and its been installed since 2010 (fingers crossed) its still going strong.

The problem is most people don`t know or can`t be bothered to change the anode. So the minerals within the water attack the casing when the small anode in the normal anodes in most of the boilers used on the island have all been exhausted. Change the anode & you`ll get at least double the age or more on a boiler before you have to change it.

When we enquired about solar water heating a couple of years ago, we were told that the anode needed changing every year so didn't think it was worth it.

I suppose it depends on how much it costs & whether it can be a DIY job. Possibly not so worthwhile on a 90€ boiler but certainly worth it on probably over 1000€ worth of solar gear. IMHO

[Will]

An instant gas heater isn't much different than a heating boiler. People certainly aren't changing them every four years are they? 

There is a chemical you can add to an electrical boiler every so often to clean off the scale but it starts being a question if all the work and supplies cost you more than a new boiler in the future.

[MLA]

Just changed ours, which was fitted back in January 2014.

[beachlife]

Most boilers contain a sacrificial anode. If you change the anode on a regular basis then the boiler should last longer. I have thermal solar panels with a tank holding 300 litres of water & change the anode (which is 3/4`s of a metre in length) every 4 years and its been installed since 2010 (fingers crossed) its still going strong.

The problem is most people don`t know or can`t be bothered to change the anode. So the minerals within the water attack the casing when the small anode in the normal anodes in most of the boilers used on the island have all been exhausted. Change the anode & you`ll get at least double the age or more on a boiler before you have to change it.

When we enquired about solar water heating a couple of years ago, we were told that the anode needed changing every year so didn't think it was worth it.

It is a DIY job & the cost for a new anode is not much. Can`t recall as its been years since I had to get a smaller anode for the normal boiler. Be best to go into a ferreteria & cost it. I`m sure someone on here might give you a recent cost for their anode on the standard size boiler.

https://www.servicechampions.net/blog/in...anode-rod/

Just search online for a video

[Spitfire58]

Great video beachlife, thanks 😁😁