Systems, circuits, and methods for providing operating power to a gas control circuit board are disclosed. A first power source for a gas control circuit board is derived from a utility supplied AC source while a backup supply is provided based on current flowing through an anode rod associated with the water heater as defined by Faraday's Law of Electrolysis. The backup supply based on anode current flow provided operating power for the gas control circuit in case of loss of power from the utility supplied AC source.