I have a 40 gal. Lochinvar that I installed almost 12 years ago. I replaced the anode rod 2 years ago this month. The old anode rod was pretty corroded, but there was a lot of material left also. However, most of the anode rod was covered with mineral (calcium?) deposits, so I was unsure how effective the anode rod could be any longer. So I'm glad I replaced it.
This is the first time I've ever replaced an anode rod. But really, I've been pretty fortunate. In my 45 years of home ownership, I've only had to replace water heaters twice. So I've done ok without replacing anode rods.
You don't have flex lines coming into your water heater? It is highly recommended. Perhaps replacing the anode rod would be a good opportunity to install flex lines. Not only do flex lines make future water heater replacements much simpler, but they also reduce risk of water leaks/flooding, in the case of an earthquake or such.
This is the first time I've ever replaced an anode rod. But really, I've been pretty fortunate. In my 45 years of home ownership, I've only had to replace water heaters twice. So I've done ok without replacing anode rods.
I have a 50 gallon Lochinvar water heater. When I bought the home in 2020, one of the first things I wanted to tackle was the anode rod, since the water heater is original to the home (2008). That's when I discovered through a parts diagram that the anode rod is stupidly built into either the water inlet or outlet (forget which one). Checking it / replacing it would entail a whole bunch of work and desoldering copper pipe. I'm just going to let it ride.
There's a tax credit that will essentially pay for an upgrade to a hybrid heat pump / conventional electric water heater that'll soon be available if it's not already. If it goes, I'll just replace it with one of those.
You don't have flex lines coming into your water heater? It is highly recommended. Perhaps replacing the anode rod would be a good opportunity to install flex lines. Not only do flex lines make future water heater replacements much simpler, but they also reduce risk of water leaks/flooding, in the case of an earthquake or such.