Water Heater

It needs to be drained at the end of the season, you need to check the anode and remove it for the winter storage,  we got a plastic plug to screw into the hole so nothing crawls ( mice or spiders)in during storage.

You may not have needed to. Where did your pod spend the winter??

I suspect somewhere near the gulf coast. If so, then winterization is not as big an issue.

You live in an area where winterization is probably not needed.. "owners choice" sort of thing.

However, I suspect you need to sanitize your freshwater system a little more often than owners who live in cooler, dryer, areas.

Probably can, our tech told us to take it out as part of winterizing. We use a plastic plug to close it up for the winter and then put the anode back in come spring.

My 2-cents worth: I brought my (used) 177 home from the dealer last fall. When weather got colder, I dutifully studied up and winterized the unit. I drained the hot water heater, which I had noticed had the anode removed when I viewed the unit at the dealer. So I drained it, and aimed the hose inside. What an unpleasant surprise! I couldn't believe the slime and bugs and scale etc. that came out of there! It was really gross!! At the least, it was disgusting, at worst I could see it plugging pumps and faucets. The suggestion to put a plug in to prevent critters etc. is a good one, for sure. I will sanitize quite thoroughly this spring.

My unit had been mothballed at the dealer for most of the summer, having been traded in after very little use. They must have left the anode out all the previous winter and into August, when I purchased. So, even if you don't have a rigorous winter, I would recommend flushing the water heater once in awhile, for sure.

Best!