Flush your water heater yearly and install a new element (the coil at the bottom of the tank)... especially if you live your in a hard water area
We are all set. As mentioned earlier, hubs is an HVAC/Plumber/Contractor and we have a kinetico water softener system on our navien tankless. Only benefit of having a small biz in NY is you can buy the stuff wholesale.
If you buy the kind of water heater that has the curved intake line that stirs the water in the tank, they last A LOT longer.
I made a clear plastic hose with a lever ball valve to water my interior plants. The hose fits to the heater drain
When I drain, I discharge the sediments at the same time
the hose is long enough to reach all the rooms with house plants. The discharge end includes a 2’ long copper tube for watering inside the bromeliad cups
The anode rod (usually a separate rod) should be inspected and replaced when it warrants it, plus draining the heater at prescribed intervals, will add to the life of the heater. Note: The anode rods are often UNBELIEVABLY tight when installed at factory...I should have loosened it *before* having my heater installed. I decided to have it replaced on the early side (two years in) and had to get a plumber to remove the rod and replace in with a segmented anode rod (easier for when you have limited room above heater). I will do the future replacements myself now that the torque needed to remove it isn’t like it was for the plumber.
I also have a water leak alarm next to the heater(as well as many other places in house) and remember to replace batteries every year.