[RobertClark]

I would flush it and check your anode rod to start. If your anode rod is for the most part gone and you get a lot of debris out during the flush, your dip tube is likely deteriorated part-way down the tank. If the anode rod is gone, that would be the culprit, but more importantly, the interior of your tank has been suffering deterioration as well and you're on borrowed time.

You will save money in the long run by either replacing the tank or going with a Rinnai on-demand system (which I love and would not trade for a million $) - your savings from the efficiency in either case will pay for the replacement in short order.

[Yet_Again]

You will save money in the long run by either replacing the tank or going with a Rinnai on-demand system (which I love and would not trade for a million $) - your savings from the efficiency in either case will pay for the replacement in short order.

I'm not sure about paying for the replacement in short order. We went through this last summer and the cost of buying and installing an on demand heater was 15x-20x the cost of replacing the old electric tank with a new electric tank.

[esoxmagnum]

Last year we installed about 50 tankless water heaters and about 25 conventional. They are really catching on, and for good reason.

5 years ago, we installed I think 2 tankless.

A bit more up front for the larger gas lines and plumbing involved, but they are just so more efficient.

[ThomasThomas]

I would trade it for a million $. I could buy a new house with a Rianna on each floor and still have money left over to buy a garage with a retractable roof like those big fancy stadiums.