How to check a water heater thermostat?

Place a one-meter probe on the bottom left terminal. Place the other meter probe on terminal screw #1 just above the #2 terminal. You should get a reading of 0. The thermostat is faulty if you don't get a reading at all.

Should I replace heating element or water heater?

If your water heater is still fairly new (less than six years old) and the tank itself is in good condition, then replacing the heating element is usually the best choice. This is a much smaller job than replacing the tank outright, which makes it far more economical.

Is it worth fixing an 8 year old water heater?

The age of the unit and the quality of the water will be deciding factors. If the unit is 8 to 10 years old, a water heater repair may be nothing more than a band-aid for another 30 days or so. If the unit is under 8 years old and you've never had a water heater repair done on it before, go with the repair option.

What shortens the life of a water heater?

The higher the temperature of your water heater, the shorter its lifespan will be. If you turn down the temperature to around 120 degrees Fahrenheit, you can increase the life of your water heater. Lowered settings are also more energy-efficient, so you'll save money on your gas bill each month.

How often should anode rods be replaced?

In most cases, we recommend inspecting and potentially replacing the anode rod every 3 to 5 years. However, certain water conditions may accelerate the corrosion process, requiring more frequent replacements.