The anode rod may be consumed more quickly with soft water and may need to be replaced sooner. Anode rods are sacrificial and designed to protect the tank from electrolysis. This is typically something most people don't pay attention to regardless of whether they have soft water or not. A Marathon water heater, which doesn't have a steel tank and therefore doesn't need anode rods, is a good choice for an electric water heater. I have had one in a past home with a water softener.
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Originally Posted by Advogado
We just installed a new water heater. The old one was 11 years old. It was not leaking and worked fine, but the present rebate from TECO for a new one is $350. We do not have a water softener, and almost nobody I know has one. We use the water filter in our refrigerator for drinking water, and it tastes fine.
Here is what our new water-heater manual (State brand) says about water softeners: "Artificially softened water is exceedingly corrosive....The use of a water softener may decrease the life of the water heater tank." For what it is worth. You decide. I am no plumber, but I presume the water heater manufacturer knows more than I do.
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