Toggs,
"There is one reason to go with GE which counts for me - their sacrificial anode does not taint the water with measurable minerals, in contrast to the Whirlpool."
Do you have a link for that?
My understanding is that all sacrificial anodes will exchange their metal atoms in order to protect any exposed steel inside the tank. The anodes are either aluminum or magnesium. I can't quite see a sacrificial anode that doesn't in the process of protecting the tank add some of its metal to the water. Please correct me if I'm wrong. It might be thought, due to Alzheimer's concerns, that a magnesium anode is safer than an aluminum anode, but one shouldn't be drinking the tap hot water anyway. And, magnesium anodes can create sulfurous odors with some kinds of supply water. So it's my understanding that most if not all anodes used today are aluminum anyway.
Some water heaters have two sacrificial anodes - one in the usual position, and another as part of the outlet (or is it inlet?) pipe. I would hazard a guess that these are the longer-rated warrantied tanks. One should also not aluminum and magnesium anodes. The magnesium will try to protect the aluminum and quickly dissolve in the process. Magnesium anode caps have a raised bump in the middle. Aluminum anode caps are flat.
"There is one reason to go with GE which counts for me - their sacrificial anode does not taint the water with measurable minerals, in contrast to the Whirlpool."
Do you have a link for that?
My understanding is that all sacrificial anodes will exchange their metal atoms in order to protect any exposed steel inside the tank. The anodes are either aluminum or magnesium. I can't quite see a sacrificial anode that doesn't in the process of protecting the tank add some of its metal to the water. Please correct me if I'm wrong. It might be thought, due to Alzheimer's concerns, that a magnesium anode is safer than an aluminum anode, but one shouldn't be drinking the tap hot water anyway. And, magnesium anodes can create sulfurous odors with some kinds of supply water. So it's my understanding that most if not all anodes used today are aluminum anyway.
Some water heaters have two sacrificial anodes - one in the usual position, and another as part of the outlet (or is it inlet?) pipe. I would hazard a guess that these are the longer-rated warrantied tanks. One should also not aluminum and magnesium anodes. The magnesium will try to protect the aluminum and quickly dissolve in the process. Magnesium anode caps have a raised bump in the middle. Aluminum anode caps are flat.