How Old Is My Hot Water Heater

HotWaterSolutionsNW.org

It might be difficult to predict how long your water heater will survive – depending on the type and fuel source, its lifespan could be anywhere from 8 and 20 years. The typical traditional electric water heater has a lifespan of 10–15 years and is covered by a normal six-year guarantee. If you are unsure of the age of your present unit, it is worthwhile to check to determine if it is approaching the end of its useful life. Prior planning is essential before your water heater breaks, which may be annoying (at the very least) or devastating (at the worst) (at worst).

Download the guide now.

It is possible to ascertain the age of your device by using the serial number if your unit’s label is missing or the installation date is not indicated on the label.

Inspect your water heater for the manufacturer’s name, and then use the following guide to establish the age of your appliance:

Rheem and Ruud

MMYY****MM = Month in which the product was manufactured. YY stands for the year of manufacturing. For example, 1209D1234 represents the month of December 2009.

American and AO Smith

2008–present: YYWW******* YY stands for the year of manufacturing. WW is an abbreviation for Week of Manufacturing. For example, 16051234567 is the year 2016, the fifth week (early February) Pre-2008:*MYY****** M is the month in which the product was manufactured. A is for January | B is for February | C is for March | D is for April | E is for May | F is for June | G is for July | H is for August | J is for September | K is for October | L is for November | M is for December YY stands for the year of manufacturing.

Bradford White

Bradford White’s serial numbers are a little more difficult to decipher than others. The first letter of the serial number indicates the year of manufacturing, while the second letter indicates the month of manufacture. YM ******* Y stands for the year of manufacturing. The years A = 1984 or 2004 | B = 1985 or 2005 | C = 1986 or 2006 | D = 1987 or 2007 | E = 1988 or 2008 | F = 1989 or 2009 | G = 1990 or 2010 | H = 1991 or 2011 | J = 1992 or 2012 | K = 1993 or 2013 | L = 1994 or 2014 | M = 1995 or 2015 |

1. P = 1997 or 2018 |
2. T = 1999 or 2020 |
3. X = 2001 |
4. Z Please keep in mind that Bradford White water heaters produced 20 years apart will have the same letter designation on the label.
5. A is for January |
6. C is for March |
7. E is for May |
8. G is for July |
9. J is for September |
10. L is for November |

Is the manufacturer of your water heater not listed above? If your water heater’s brand isn’t listed, you may find more about it by visiting NACHI’s or The Water Heater Hub’s serial decoder.

Due for a replacement?

In the event that it is time to replace your old water heater, consider upgrading to a hybrid electric heat pump water heater instead. In addition to saving up to $300 a year on power expenses for a three-person home, hybrid electric water heaters are covered by a 10-year warranty as a matter of standard practice. Many utilities also provide installation rebates; you may find out if yours does here. Learn more about the product and locate a store near you. When it comes to water heater efficiency, a greater energy factor means a more efficient water heater.

How do I know the age of my water heater?

Frequently Asked Questions/How can I find out how old my water heater is?

You can determine how old your residential water heater is by looking at and decoding data on the water heater’s label.

Locate the manufacturer’s label with the serial number on the side of your item and write it down for future reference. In most cases, this sticker is placed around any warning labels as well as the energy guidance. Check to see whether the sticker has a date on it indicating when it was installed. The serial number of your water heater should be written down if you don’t already have it since it generally denotes the year and month that the water heater was manufactured. Each manufacturer has a unique format, and you must decode the water heater serial number in order to utilize it.

Rheem or Ruud

As an example, the date 1209D1234 (MMYYPnnn) corresponds to December 2009. MM is an abbreviation for “month of manufacturing.” YY stands for the year of manufacturing. A sequential serial number for your individual unit is denoted by the letters P, which stands for plant identification code, and the letters NNNNN, which stands for a consecutive serial number for your particular unit.

AO Smith and American

To illustrate, the month of December 2009 is designated as 1209D1234 (MMYYPnnn). MM is an abbreviation for the month in which the product was created. YY stands for the year in which the product was manufactured. A sequential serial number for your specific unit is denoted by the letters P, which stands for plant identification code, and the letters NNNNN, which stands for consecutive serial number.

Bradford White

B=2005 in the case of BH6511396 (YMXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX) H=August The Bradford White rating plate is the most difficult to interpret out of all of the options available. The first letter of the serial number indicates the year of manufacturing, while the second letter indicates the month of manufacture. The decoding process is based on the following format (which is also illustrated in the chart below): YEAR DECORATOR: G = 1990; H = 1991; J = 1992; K = 1993; L = 1994; M = 1995; N = 1996; P = 1997; S = 1998; T = 1999; W = 2000; X = 2001; Y = 2002; Z = 2003; A = 2004; B = 2005; C=2006; D=2007; A = 2004; B=2005, C=2006, D=2007 Month decoder: A = January; B = February; C = March; D = April; E = May; F = June; G = July; H = August; J = September; K= October; L= November; M = December.

Please keep in mind that Bradford White employs a 20-year letter designation cycle in serial numbers, as stated in the table below.

To see a larger version of this photograph, click here.

The National Fire Protection Association’s water heater dating chart may be found at If your Tucson water heater is more than ten years old, you should consider replacing it before it breaks and causes damage to your home or other property.

If you are in need of water heater replacement call Just Water Heaters at 520-488-0816 or complete our online request form.

Admin2014-09-19T17:54:59-07:00 a link to the page’s load

Water Heater Age – How Old Is Your Water Heater?

In the case of a water heater, it is critical to understand the age of the water heater and to know when it is time to service or replace the water heater. In the event that you have had a water heater for a long period of time or have recently moved into a home with a water heater that you are unfamiliar with, it would be a good idea to determine the age of your water heater. SensibleDigs has put together an excellent post that covers all you need to know about determining the age of your water heater.

Here are some of the most important points from theSensibleDigsarticle on how to determine the age of your water heater.

Determining Water Heater Age

The installation date of a water heater is generally found on an information sticker that is attached directly to the water heater on newer types. When it comes to older models, you may have to delve a little further to figure out how old your water heater really is. The best place to start is by looking at the serial number on the back of your water heater, which is normally situated near the energy guide or warning labels on the water heater itself. The serial number indicates the month and year in which the building was constructed.

Decoding A Water Heater’s Serial Number To Find Construction Date

In order to determine the construction date and age of your water heater, you will need to know the brand of your water heater. See the list below for the most popular water heater brands, as well as instructions on how to decode the serial number of each model.

A.O. Smith Water Heater Age

The process of determining the age of an A.O. Smith water heater is rather simple. For both earlier and newer versions, A.O. Smith includes the year and week of production in the first four numbers of the serial number, which is the same for both. In the example above, if the water heater’s A.O. Smith serial number is 9808******, it means that it was built in 1998 during the eighth week of the year. It is critical to understand the age of your A.O. Smith water heater and when it is necessary to replace an AO Smith water heater.

Rheem Water Heater Age

Construction dates for most Rheem models are indicated on their serial numbers by the month followed by the year, as seen in the table below. These numerals are generally displaced as the first four numbers on a numbering system, though. Some of them may be displayed as the third to sixth numerals on the screen in some situations. For example, if the Rheem serial number is 1110******, this indicates that the water heater was built in November 2010.

Bradford Water Heater Age

In order to indicate the year and month of the manufacturer’s date, Bradford Water Heaters employ a key. Here is the key to each letter of the alphabet that represents a year. S = 2018, P = 2017, N = 2016, M = 2015, L = 2014, K = 2013, J = 2012, H = 2011, G = 2010, F = 2009, E = 2008, D = 2007, C = 2006, B = 2005, A = 2004, Z = 2003, Y = 2002, X = 2001, W = 2000, T = 1999, S = 1998, P = 1997, N = 1996, S = 1998, P = 1997, N = 1996, S = 1998, P = 1997, N = 1996, S = 1998 Here is the key to each letter of the alphabet that represents a month.

For example, if the Bradford White serial number is DG******, then the water heater was built in July 2007 according to the manufacturer.

Rinnai Water Heater Age

Rinnai water heaters are identified by two different serial number patterns. When it comes to later models, they employ a key system similar to that used by Bradford White water heaters, which indicates the month and year in which the Rinnai water heater was manufactured. The year of manufacturing is denoted by the first letter of the serial number on the piece of equipment. Here’s where it all comes together. A = 2009, B = 2010, C = 2011, D = 2012, E = 2013, F = 2014, G = 2015, H = 2016, J = 2017, K = 2018, L = 2019, M = 2020, N = 2021, P = 2022, R = 2023, S = 2024, T = 2025, W = 2026, X = 2027, Y = 2028, Z = 2029, A = 2009, B = 2010, C = 2011, D = 2012, E = 2013, F = 2014, G = 2015, The second letter of the serial number represents the month in which the item was manufactured.

A is for January, B is for February, C is for March, D is for April, E is for May, F is for June, G is for July, H is for August, J is for September, K is for October, L is for November, and M is for December.

**-****** After that, in February 2017, the water heater was built.

When To Replace Your Water Heater

Your water heater should provide you with many years of service, and you should have a decent sense of how much further it will provide you with service by examining the serial number on your water heater to determine the date of production. When determining the appropriate time to replace your water heater, keep the following four considerations in mind:

1. Typical Water Heater Lifespan: A water heater has a typical lifespan of 10-15 years. As a result, it is essential to know the age of your water heater, and it is advised that you replace your water heater before it reaches the age of 15
2. Having Less Hot Water: If you are seeing a reduction in the amount of hot water available throughout your house, it may be time to replace your water heater
3. Increased Heating Bills: As a water heater ages, it requires more energy to create hot water, resulting in higher heating bills. It’s possible that an increase in your heating expenditures is a sign that your water heater is growing old and it’s time to replace it
4. In the case of corroding water heaters, this indicates that they are much older and that it is time to replace them.

Water Heater AgeReplacing Your Water Heater

Water Heater Lifespan: A water heater has a typical lifespan of 10-15 years. Therefore, it is essential to establish the age of your water heater and it is suggested to replace your water heater before it reaches the age of 15 years. Reduced Hot Water: If you are seeing a decrease in the amount of hot water available throughout your house, it may be time to replace your water heater. The cost of heating water rises as the age of the water heater increases, as does the amount of energy required to heat the water.

Bradford White Water Heater age

The serial number of a Bradford White® water heater can be used to establish the date of production/manufacture or the age of the water heater(s). Bradford White® employs a letter cycle that rotates every 20 years (e.g., the letter “M” represents both 1995and2015 year of manufacture). Please keep in mind that it is not uncommon to come across a Bradford White® water heater that seems to be from any year indication on the outside. Another criterion that must be considered in order to precisely establish which 20-year cycle the letter may represent is the time span of the letter.

• Both 1987 and 2007 are represented by the letter “D” in the photograph shown below.
• The year 1985 marks the modification of ANSI Z21.10.1a.
• 1.
• 2.

The presence of other factors or clues, such as the physical appearance of the item, dates on the building or health department (authority having jurisdictionAHJ) inspection tag or sticker, service tags (if present), the age of the structure it is installed in, and common sense, must be relied upon in the absence of the listed ANSI year revision.

Serial number styles/formats found are:

Style 1:DG 6322957 Style 2:OA 822685 Style 3:DG 6322957 Style 4:OA 822685 (Unique computer error serial number beginning with the letter “O”). The year is represented by the color red; the month is represented by the color green; and the week is represented by the color blue.

How Old Is My Water Heater?

The most recent update was made on September 28th, 2021. Water heaters are designed to last between 8 and 12 years before they need to be replaced. The installation date of your hot water heater is critical if you were not the original owner of your house and are unaware of when it was first installed. Fortunately, this information is easily available and simple to locate on your hot water heater’s display panel. This article will provide you with step-by-step instructions to assist you in determining the age of your water heater and determining when it may be necessary to replace it.

Decoding serial numbers

The most accurate approach to establish the age of your water heater is to look at the serial number on the tank. All water heaters will be labeled with a serial number that will be located on the outside of the device. Tank-style hot water heaters and tankless water heater systems are equally affected by this rule. Serial numbers will most likely be a mix of digits and letters in most cases. It is possible to ascertain the age of your water heater unit with the help of some water heater manufacturers, such as Rheem, who make this process simple.

When you examine the 9-digit serial code of a Rheem water heater, you will see that the first four numbers of the serial number correspond to the date of production of the water heater.

According to this scenario, the water heater would have been constructed in January of this year.

Types of Serial Codes

• There aren’t many water heater manufacturers who offer the date in such a distinct manner as Rheem. A few examples of common water heater manufacturers, how they list their serial numbers, and where you may get more information on serial numbers are shown below. Navien– based on the model of water heater, the serial code will be displayed in a different way than the others. In order to assist you in decoding your serial number, Navien provides a chart. Rinnai– in a manner similar to the preceding example, the date of manufacturing may be found in the first four numbers of the serial code of the manufacturer. The year is represented by the first two numerals, which are then followed by the month.

What if I still can’t find it?

If you are having trouble locating your water heater’s serial number, this information may be of assistance. A technician will be able to assist you in locating the serial number on your water heater unit and will also be able to assist you in determining the date that your water heater was manufactured.

Don’t forget maintenance

Always bear in mind that doing routine maintenance will assist to ensure that your water heating system operates for as long as feasible. Consult the information in our previous blog article to understand how to keep the water in your house hot while also helping to extend the life of your water heater for many more years.

Post navigation

Finding the model number of your water heater might be difficult at times. However, all water heaters are equipped with a Rating Plate, which contains critical information such as the model and serial numbers, the name of the manufacturing company, the length of the warranty, the wattage of the elements installed (on electric models), the gallon capacity, the input BTU rating (on gas models), and other details.

Rheem Water Heater Model Numbers

The rating plate on new Rheem water heaters is simple to read and understand. It contains the date of manufacturing, as well as information about the size and capacity of the device. On earlier models, you may tell how old your water heater is by deciphering the serial number on the water heater itself. It was made simple by certain manufacturers, such as Rheem, who built in the months and years as part of the first four digits of the serial number. This Rheem water heater, for example, was produced in December of 1991, as shown in the photograph below (1291).

1. Let’s take a look at the above rating plate and decipher it: This is a natural gas water heater, model number 21V50-2, serial number 1291A39968, produced in December of 1991, with a capacity of 50 gallons and a BTU output of 36000 per hour.
2. The additional information you’ll find on this page is intended for service technicians and shouldn’t be required by the ordinary homeowner.
3. This 50-gallon electric tank was constructed in August of 1984 and was fitted with elements rated at 4000 watts.
4. This 50-gallon electric tank was constructed in August of 1984 and was fitted with elements rated at 4000 watts.
5. Their method of deciphering the date is a little different.
6. The information on the AO Smith plate is a little more difficult to locate, but it is there nevertheless!

Bradford White Model Numbers

The Bradford Whiterating plate is the most difficult to decipher out of all the plates in the collection. To determine the age of a Bradford White tank, you must first understand the coding system used by the company. The first letter of the serial number indicates the year of manufacturing, while the second letter indicates the month of manufacture. The decoding process is based on the following data structure: Year Decoder: G = 1990; H = 1991; J = 1992; K = 1993; L = 1994; M = 1995; N = 1996; P = 1997; S = 1998; T = 1999; W = 2000; X = 2001; Y = 2002; Z = 2003; A = 2004; B = 2005; C=2006; D=2007; G = 1990; H = 1991; J = 1992; K = 1993; L = 1994; M = 1995; N= 1996; P = 1997; S = 1998 Month decoder: A = January, B = February, C = March, D = April, E = May, F = June, G = July, H = August, J = September, K= October, L= November, M = December.

The tank with the rating plates on it was manufactured in June 2002.

This is a 40 gallon electric water heater with the model number MI40L6DS13, which was built in June of 2002 and is still in good condition.

It’s important to note that the “Maximum Watts” is 4000, which indicates that the tank was designed to function in the “non-simultaneous” mode, which implies that only one element would be powered at a time (standard for residential water heaters).

It is meant to function with a maximum water pressure of 150 PSI, however it has been manufacturer tested to a maximum of 300 PSI for your safety before being shipped.

American Water Heater Model Numbers

The year is listed first, followed by the week in which the tank was constructed, according to the American system. The tank in this example was constructed during the 17th week of 1998.

Fast Water Heater currently services the below areas. If you didn’t find what you’re looking for, give us a call and we’ll get your questions answered fast!

• The Pacific Northwest, including Seattle, Tacoma, and the South Sound and Snohomish and Skagit Counties
• Oregon, including the greaterPortland area, Vancouver, and south down to Salem and Eugene
• The Bay Area, including the East Bay, San Jose, Napa, Sonoma, and Marin Counties, Monterey County, Santa Cruz County, andSan Francisco Water Heater
• Southern California, including Orange County, Ventura County, San Bernadinothe Inland Empire, and

How Can I Tell How Old My Water Heater Is?

If your water heater is not heating the water as it should, is leaking, or is producing unusual noises, it is possible that you have an issue that needs to be addressed. Unfortunatelly, most household appliances aren’t built to last forever, but if you can identify the manufacturer, model number, and year of manufacture of your appliance, you may be able to fix it. Some water heaters are still protected by the original manufacturer’s warranty, which is an added bonus. If you keep meticulous records of your home transactions and receipts, you may not need to seek for a model and serial number at all.

Fortunately, many water heaters have some of the most important information printed on a label that is attached to the side of the device, making it easier to find.

Different Manufacturers – Same Technique

The method for determining the age of your water heater varies slightly depending on the brand of the device, but the premise is the same across all manufacturers. A rating plate will be affixed to nearly every water heater, however it may be located in a different location on some models. The information on the plate will tell you the name of the manufacturer, the model number, the capacity of the tank (if it is a tank heater), the wattage of the heating elements, and the year the item was manufactured.

How Old is My Water Heater?

Identifying the manufacturer of your water heater is the first step in determining the age of your water heater. Fortunately, the name of the maker should be prominently displayed on the packaging. After that, you may proceed to determining the unit’s age. Here’s how you can figure it out using a few of the major manufacturers in the industry:

Rheem and A.0. Smith Water Heater Age

Rheem and A.O. Smith are rather straightforward companies. On the plate will be a lengthy serial number (10-11 digits), with the first four digits representing the month and year of manufacturing and the remaining numbers representing the rest of the plate. In other words, the serial number Serial0915****** indicates that your item was made in September of that year.

Bradford White Water Heater Age

When it comes to determining the age of its water heaters, Bradford White requires you to read code. The serial number will begin with two letters and will be followed by a number. Its first letter denotes the year of manufacturing, and its second, the month of manufacture. The most recent production codes may be found here.

American Water Heater Age

American Water Heater aims to make it as simple as possible for you to read their labels and determine when their products were made. One of these devices has a serial number that is also ten digits long.

The first two digits indicate the year of manufacturing, while the second two indicate when week of the year it was manufactured. As an example, a serial number that begins with 1220 indicates that the equipment was manufactured during the 20th week of 2012.

Need Water Heater Repair or Replacement?

Contact us if you need assistance with a water heater brand that isn’t listed here, or check out NACHI’s serial number decoder for more information. Keep in mind that your water heater may still be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty at this point. If you want assistance with the repair or replacement of your equipment, wish to negotiate an upgrade, or simply require answers to a few concerns, please contact us. We’ll see to it that you’re taken care of as soon as possible!

How to Determine the Age of a Water Heater

If to repair or replace your computer depends on your situation. You may also be concerned about whether you are still protected by the manufacturer’s guarantee. Hopefully, your water heater does not have as much age on it. For those of you who keep every purchase receipt for decades, you probably don’t need to read the rest of this article. Depending on whether you have a newer or older model, the water heater’s age may be plainly displayed on a manufacturer’s label that is fastened to the device.

All you need to know is the name of the company that made the water heater and its serial number (both found on the label affixed to the water heater).

The following links will take you to online versions of the majority of models from the three most popular brands:

• Manuals from AO Smith, Rheem, and Bradford White, to name a few brands.

Manufacturer vs Brand

Please keep in mind that this content may contain affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost to you, we may gain a small profit on purchases made via our links. In order to proceed, I’d want to bring out some of the distinctions between a water heater manufacturer and a water heater manufacturer brand. When it comes to water heaters, the manufacturer is the entity that takes raw materials or components and builds (or manufactures) them into finished products. Customers are sold (or branded) water heaters according to their brand, which is represented by the brand name.

For example, even if the water heater you purchased from Sears is labeled as “Kenmore,” it is still made by Rheem and not Kenmore.

So, how old IS my water heater?

Serial number lookup sections for each major water heater manufacturer may be found below in the sections below. Column one of each table has a list of all of the different brands that the firm produces, column two contains example serial numbers, and column three functions as a serial number decoder.

A.O. Smith Water Heater Age

Included Brands	A.O. Smith Serial Numbers	How to Decode
A.O. Smith GlascoteGSWPermaGlas	Style 1 (current):1510 *******(10th week of 2015)Style 2 (pre-2008):* A07 *******(January, 2007)	Style 1:Digits 1-2 are the year and digits 3-4 are the week of the year.Style 2: The second digit is the month (A-N, excluding I) so A=January and N=December. Digits 3-4 are the year.

Rheem Water Heater Age

Included Brands	Rheem Serial Numbers	How to Decode
RheemRuud Rheem/RuudRichmond Vista ThermCitationAqua ThermEnergy MasterVanguardCimarromCoast to CoastLowe’sServi-StarTrue ValueABSInterthermMillerMainstreamMontgomery WardGeneral ElectricProfessional	Style 1:0811 ******(August, 2011)Style 2:* 3210 *****(32nd week of 2010)Style 3:**1599 ******(15th week of 1999)Style 4:**** 0608 ******(June, 2008)Style 5:09.04 -******(April, 2009)	Style 1:Digits 1-2 are the month and digits 3-4 are the year.Style 2:Digits 2-3 are the week of the year and digits 4-5 are the year.Style 3:Digits 3-4 are the week of the year and digits 5-6 are the year.Style 4:Digits 5-6 are the month and digits 7-8 are the year.Style 5:Digits 1-2 are the year and digits 3-4 are the month (the sets of numbers are separated by a period)

Bradford White Water Heater Age

Included Brands	Bradford White Serial Numbers	How to Decode
Bradford White Jetglas	EH *******(August, 2008)TB *******(February, 1999)	1st letter equals the year using this key:P = 2017|N = 2016|M = 2015L = 2014|K = 2013|J = 2012H = 2011|G = 2010|F = 2009E = 2008|D = 2007|C = 2006B = 2005|A = 2004|Z = 2003Y = 2002|X = 2001|W = 2000T = 1999|S = 1998|P = 1997 2nd letter equals the month using this key:A = January|B = February|C = MarchD = April|E = May|F = JuneG = July|H = August|J = SeptemberK = October|L = November|M = December

State Industries Water Heater Age

Included Brands	State Ind. Serial Numbers	How to Decode
State /KenmoreAceAmbassadorBarnettCenturyCrosleyEnergy StretcherFreedomFreedome/NipscoHardware HouseMaster Plumber/True5MissionNationalinePatriotPenfieldPresidentRegencyReliance The PlumberyThermo-Ki	Style 1:1021 *******(21st week of 2010)Style 2:K06 *******(October, 2006)Style 3:* K06 *******(October, 2006)	Style 1:Digits 1-2 are the year and digits 3-4 are the week of the year.Style 2:The 1st digit is the month of the year using the key below and digits 2-3 are the year.A = January|B = February|C = MarchD = April|E = May|F = JuneG = July|H = August|J = SeptemberK = October|L = November|M = DecemberStyle 3:Same as style 2 except it has an extra digit at the beginning.

American Water Heater Age

A.O. Smith acquired the company in 2001. Prior to it, the company produced water heaters for a plethora of various manufacturers.

Included Brands	American Serial Numbers	How to Decode
American Water Heaters AceAmerican HardwareBestBest DeluxeApexAqua TempAgua ThermAquamaticChampionCraftmasterDe-LimierDeluxeEagleEarl’s Energy SaverEnvirontempFour MostHotmasterHotstreamKing-CleenKing-lineMaster PlumberMor-Flo/AmericanNationalineNeptunePenquinPremierPrestigeProlineProline-PlusQuakerQuick-FloRaywallRevereRiveriaSABHSandsSentinelService-StarShamrockSpecial DeluxeStandardSuper EagleSure-FireThoro-cleanTru-TestTru ValueU.S. SupplyWhirlpool XCL-Energy Saver	Style 1 (current):1510 *******(10th week of 2015)Style 2 (pre-2008):* A07 *******(January, 2007)	Style 1:Digits 1-2 are the year and digits 3-4 are the week of the year.Style 2: The second digit is the month (A-N, excluding I) so A=January and N=December. Digits 3-4 are the year.

Lochinvar Water Heater Age

Included Brands	Lochinvar Serial Numbers	How to Decode
LochinvarEnergy SaverGolden KnightKnight	EH *******(August, 2008)TB *******(February, 1999)	1st letter equals the year using this key:P = 2017|N = 2016|M = 2015L = 2014|K = 2013|J = 2012H = 2011|G = 2010|F = 2009E = 2008|D = 2007|C = 2006B = 2005|A = 2004|Z = 2003Y = 2002|X = 2001|W = 2000T = 1999|S = 1998|P = 1997 2nd letter equals the month using this key:A = January|B = February|C = MarchD = April|E = May|F = JuneG = July|H = August|J = SeptemberK = October|L = November|M = December

My Water Heater is How Old?

In 2001, A.O. Smith acquired the company. Water heaters for a variety of different manufacturers were formerly made by the company.

Is your water heater still under warranty?

If you just glance at your water heater, it’s not always easy to figure out how old it is. When a water heater fails, it can be difficult for many homeowners to determine whether or not the unit is still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. AO Smith is a fictional character created by American author A.O. Smith. AO Smith tanks are marked with the date imprinted on the label adjacent to the model and serial number on many of them. For the tanks that do not have an actual date shown, the date is included as part of the real serial number.

• When it comes to serial numbers, it is normally the third and fourth digits.
• It might be difficult to determine the age of Bradford White tanks because of their design.
• The year and month are represented by the first and second digits of the serial number, respectively.
• If you look closely, tanks that begin with the letter X are from 2001, and tanks that begin with the letter P are from 1997.
• The year is represented by the first two numbers, while the week of the year is represented by the second two digits.
• Tanks manufactured previous to 2004 will be identified by the second and third numbers mentioned.
• Whirlpool Company names like as Envirotech and USCraftMaster are also associated with the Whirlpool brand of water heaters.

The serial number contains the date of manufacturing, which may be determined. The month is represented by the first two digits, while the year is represented by the second two digits. The water heater seen on the right was constructed in December 2002, according to the image on the right.

How to Verify the Installation Date of a Water Heater

A water heater is an important device in practically any residential real estate investment, especially in the case of rental properties. Unfortunately, a water heater does not survive indefinitely, so knowing the date of installation is essential for troubleshooting problems, locating replacement components, and determining whether it is necessary to replace the water heater entirely. Most new water heaters are equipped with a label that specifies the date of installation, but deciphering the serial number is not always straightforward.

1. Any home real estate venture that includes a water heater is likely to be successful. Due to the fact that a water heater does not survive indefinitely, knowing the date of installation is essential for troubleshooting issues, locating replacement components, and determining whether it is necessary to replace the water heater entirely. A label on the outside of most modern water heaters indicates the date of installation
2. However, the serial number is not always easy to interpret. Due to the fact that some water heaters are pre-owned, confirming the installation date does not necessarily verify the age of the water heater, but it does assist in making home renovation decisions.

How to Determine the Age of a Water Heater (Complete Guide)

Water heaters have an average lifespan of around ten years, however certain models may live up to twice as long if they are maintained properly. When your water heater begins to malfunction, you may have muddy or rusty water, as well as loud clanging noises from the heater. You may also experience a lack of hot water, or the water may heat up extremely slowly. Prior to your water heater failing, it is in your best advantage to have it replaced as soon as possible. Once it fails, you’ll be without hot water for an extended period of time as you wait for repairs.

This isn’t a very difficult procedure, but you do need to know what to look for, which is exactly what we’ll cover in this post.

Read the Label

Generally speaking, water heaters have a lifespan of roughly ten years, however certain models may last up to twice that long if maintained properly. Symptoms of a failing water heater include muddy or rust-colored bathing water, obnoxious clanging noises from the heater, and the inability to obtain sufficient hot water, or the inability to heat the water quickly enough. Prior to your water heater failing, it is in your best interests to get it replaced as soon as possible. Once it fails, you’ll be without hot water for an extended period of time while you wait for repairs to be completed.

The procedure is not difficult, but you must be aware of the signs to watch for, which is what we will describe in this post.

Decode the Serial Number

If your water heater does not have a label, or if the label does not include an installation date, you’ll need to decode the serial number rather than the model number. Each serial number gives the information necessary to establish the year and month in which the heater was manufactured. The main drawback is that deciphering the serial number might be a time-consuming process. Every water heater serial number would be OK if they all used the same date technique, however that is not the case at this time.

You should also be aware of the distinction between a manufacturer and a brand.

Brands are just the names of the companies that sell the things under their names.

Water heaters for a variety of brands might be produced by a same manufacturer. The serial numbers of heaters made by various manufacturers but by the same manufacturer will be the same, assuming that they are from the same time period.

A.O. Smith and American Water Heaters

The serial number of your water heater will need to be decoded if it does not have a label or if the label does not reflect the date of installation. It is possible to identify the date of manufacturing of a heater by looking at the serial number on the heater’s back cover. Decoding the serial number might be a nuisance, which is the sole drawback to this method. Every water heater serial number would be OK if they all used the same date technique, but that is not the case in this instance. Serial numbers are generated in a variety of ways by different manufacturers, and they might even differ from year to year.

Producing goods is the job of manufacturers.

The serial numbers of heaters manufactured by various manufacturers but by the same manufacturer will be the same, given that they are from the same time period.

• American hardware
• Ace, Agua Therm, American hardware, Apex, Aqua Temp, Aquamatic, Best, Champion, Craftmaster, De-Limier, De-limier, Deluxe, Eagle, Earl’s Energy Saver, Environtemp, Four Most, Glascote, GSW, Hotmaster, Hotstream, King-Cleen, King-line, Master Plumber, Mor-Flo, Nationaline

• The following brands are available: Neptune
• Penquin
• PermaGlas
• Premier
• Prestigfe
• Proline
• Quaker
• Quick-Flo
• Raywall
• Revere
• Riveria
• SABH
• Sands
• Sentinel
• Service-Star
• Shamrock
• Special Delux
• Standard
• Super Eagle
• Surefire
• Thoro-Clean
• Tru Value
• Tru Test
• S. Supply
• Whirlpool
• XCL Energy Saver
• XCL Energy Save

How to Decode

The first serial number style is applicable to models manufactured after 2008 and is still in use at the time of writing. The year is represented by the first two numbers. In this example, the number 17 denotes the year 2017. The following two digits reflect the day of the week. The number 14 indicates that the heater was constructed during the fourteenth week of the year.

Serial Number Style 2: *C05******* (March, 2005)

The second digit of this form of serial number, which was in use previous to 2008, is a letter that reflects the month and year in which the heater was constructed. The letters are arranged in alphabetical order with the months from A to N, with the letter I skipped. Consequently, the letters A through B are assigned to January; C is assigned to February; and N is assigned to December. The year of manufacturing is indicated by the third and fourth digits. In this example, the letter C indicates that the heater was constructed in March, while the number 05 indicates that it took place in 2005.

Rheem and Ruud

Brands that are included:

• ABS, Aqua Therm, Cimarrom, Citation, Coast to Coast, Energy Master, General Electric, InterthermMiller, Lowe’s, Mainstream, and other companies

• Montgomery Ward, Professional, Rheem, Richmond, Ruud, Servi-Star, True Value, Vanguard, and Vista Therm are some of the brands available.

How to Decode

The month is represented by the first two digits, and the year is represented by the next two digits in this example. In this example, the number 10 indicates that the heater was produced in October, and the number 12 indicates that the heater was manufactured in 2012.

Serial Number Style 2: *1608***** (16 thweek of 2008)

In this approach, the initial digit of the date is not included in the calculation. The heater’s birth year will be indicated by the second and third digits of the year, with the following two numbers indicating the week of the year in which the heater was born. In this example, we can see that the numerals two and three add up to 16, while the digits four and five add up to 08, indicating that the heater was built in the 16th week of 2008.

Serial Number Style 3: **2898****** (28 thweek of 1998)

In the case of serial number style three, the first two numbers have absolutely nothing to do with the date of manufacturing.

The third and fourth digits, on the other hand, signify the week in which the heater was constructed, while the next two digits denote the year. As you can see in our example, the numerals 2898, represented by digits 4-8, indicate that the heater was constructed during the 28th week in 1998.

Serial Number Style 4: ****0705****** (July, 2005)

In contrast to the other forms of serial numbers, none of the first four digits are utilized to indicate the date in this case. Rather, the digits 5-8 will be utilized to represent the numbers. The month will be represented by the numbers five and six, while the year will be represented by the numbers seven and eight. In this example, the heater was produced in July of 2005, as shown by the numbers five through eight of the serial number 0705.

Serial Number Style 5: 06.08****** (June, 2008)

This is the serial number style that is most straightforward to decipher. The first four digits reflect the date of production, with two digits for the year followed by two digits for the month, all separated by a period. The last four digits represent the date of manufacturing, with two digits for the month followed by two digits for the year. Our example shows the number 06.08, which may be decoded as June of 2008, with 06 signifying the month of June and the number 08 following the decimal indicating that 2008 was the year in which the item was produced.

Bradford White Water Heaters

Brands that are included:

How to Decode

Bradford White employs a difficult-to-understand serial number method that must be decoded. Only two characters are required, with the first letter denoting the year and the second letter indicating the month in which the heater was made. The letters A through M symbolize the months in a chronological order, with A representing January, B representing February, and so on, all the way down to M representing December. Even more difficult is figuring out how many years have passed. Each letter of the alphabet indicates two years that are separated by 20 years.

• It goes on like this: A – 1984 or 2004
• B – 1985 or 2005
• C – 1986 or 2006
• D – 1987 or 2007
• E – 1988 or 2008.

You may follow this pattern all the way up to our current year of 2021, which is symbolized by the letter X on our calendar.

Conclusion

If you’re fortunate enough to discover a label on your water heater that has the date of installation printed on it, estimating the age of your water heater will be straightforward and straightforward. If, on the other hand, you need to decode the serial number of your heater in order to determine when it was manufactured, you’ll need to know how to decode the precise serial number that your heater possesses. There are a variety of different techniques for encoding the date of production into the serial number of a water heater; but, with the help of this guide, you should be able to determine when yours was built.

Image courtesy of nikkytok/Shutterstock.com

How to Determine Water Heater Age (Avoid a Costly Mistake)

In the event that you are fortunate enough to discover a label on your water heater that has the date of installation printed on it, estimating the age of your water heater will be quick and straightforward. For example, if you need to decode a heater’s serial number in order to determine when it was manufactured, you’ll need to know how to decode the precise serial number that your heater possesses in order to do so. There are a variety of different ways for encoding the date of production into a water heater’s serial number; but, with the help of this guide, you should be able to determine when your water heater was built.

Similarly, see: 10 Best Water Heaters – Reviews. Featured are the top picks. nikkytok and Shutterstock provided the images.

How to Determine Water Heater Age

On most contemporary models, determining the age of a water heater is straightforward because the date of installation is often documented on the information sticker. On earlier models, on the other hand, it’s probable that you’ll have to do some investigating. Consider starting by deciphering the serial number, which may be found on the heater’s left side near the control panel. It’s often located near the energy advice or warning labels on the package. The serial number contains two critical pieces of information: the month and year in which the building was constructed.

Manufacturers prefer to employ a variety of designs and formats, so you’ll need to identify your unique manufacturer or brand in order to do this task successfully.

A.O. Smith

A.O. Smith employs a fairly simple approach that should be easy to understand for the average person. The year and week are stated inside the first four numerals of their earlier models, which date back to 1997. (1). For example, YYWWxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx The sequence used by current models is the same as before.

The letters ‘A’ and ‘M’ stand for January and December, respectively.

Included Brands

• The following is an example: 9808****** Example two:*F06******* (from week eight of 1998)
• (June 2006)
• Example three: 1617******* (June 2006)
• (Week 17 of 2016, 2016)

Rheem

Rheem, like many other companies, takes a straightforward approach to their many brands. Their most recent models (built after 2000) are designated by the month in which they were built, followed by the year in which they were built. The first and second digits of the month are represented by the first and second digits of the year. The third and fourth numbers represent the year (2). You’ll note that the numerical order has changed slightly in example two; instead of the first four digits being displayed, they are now presented as the third to sixth digits, which is a little shift from the previous example.

Rheem utilized weeks instead of months for its earlier versions produced before to 1999.

Included Brands

• Rheem, like many other companies, takes a straightforward approach with their many brands. They identify their more recent models (those built after 2000) by the month in which they were built, followed by the year in which they were built. First, we can observe that the first and second numerals correspond to the month in the first illustration below. These are the years 2003 and 2004. (2). You’ll see that the numerical order has altered slightly in example two
• Instead of the first four digits being displayed, they are now presented as the third to sixth digits, which is a little shift in the right direction. Rheem uses this alternate method of presenting the important dates on occasions. Rheem used weeks rather of months for its older versions produced prior to 1999. (as shown in example two).

Examples of Serial Numbers

• The following are two examples: 1110****** (November 2010) and **1298****** (December 2010). (12th week of 1998)

Bradford White

As an example, 1110****** (November 2010); as an example, **1298****** (December 2010). (1998, the 12th week);

Year (1st letter)

• S = 2018
• P = 2017
• N = 2016
• M = 2015
• L = 2014
• K = 2013
• J = 2012
• H = 2011
• G = 2010
• F = 2009
• E = 2008
• D = 2007
• C = 2006
• B = 2005
• A = 2004
• Z = 2003
• Y = 2002
• X = 2001
• W = 2000
• T = 1999
• S = 1998
• P = 1997
• N = 1996
• M = 1995
• L = 1995
• P = 1996

Year Month Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year (2nd letter)

• Year Month Year Month Year Month Year Month Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year (2nd letter)

Included Brands

• Day, week, month, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year (2nd letter)

American Water Heater

Day, week, month, year, month, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year, year (2nd letter)

Included Brands

• American Water Heater
• Champion
• Riviera
• Aquamatic
• Aqua Therm
• Raywall
• Best Deluxe
• King-Line
• Whirlpool
• Environtemp
• Deluxe
• Prestige
• Sentinel
• Proline
• Proline-Plus
• Aqua Temp
• Premier
• Nationaline
• King-Cleen
• Revere
• Apex
• American Water Heater

Examples of Serial Numbers

• *E05******* (May 2005)
• Example one: 9510****** (1995, week 10)
• Example two: 9510****** (1995, week 10)

State Industries

We’ll give you three instances of what we mean by State Industries. They are available in two broad formats: one that just uses numbers and another that uses letters and numbers. When looking at the first example, the first and second numbers represent the year, while the third and fourth numbers represent the week. State Industries uses the same coding format in our second and third examples — letters to identify the month and integers to indicate the year — and the results are the same. While the third has a somewhat different structure from the first two, it does so by adding an extra non-relevant number in front of the date sequence.

The two digits after that reflect the year in which the item was manufactured.

Included Brands

• State
• Kenmore
• Freedom
• Freedom/Nipsco
• Ambassador
• Ace
• Barnett
• Crosley
• Century
• Nationaline
• President
• Energy Stretcher
• Thermo-Ki
• Regency
• Reliance
• Mission
• State

Examples of Serial Numbers

• The following is an example: 1210******* Example number two: E03******* (2012, week ten)
• Example three: *E03****** (May 2003)
• Example four: *E03****** (May 2003)

Lochinvar

It is similar to Bradford White’s approach in that they both employ letters to represent the month and year of birth. It goes somewhat like this:

Year (1st letter)

• X = 2001
• Y = 2002
• Z = 2003
• X = 2004
• B = 2005
• C = 2006
• D = 2007
• E = 2008
• F = 2009
• G = 2010
• H = 2011
• J = 2012
• K = 1993
• L = 1994
• M = 1995
• N = 1996
• P = 1997
• S 1998
• T 1999
• W 2000
• X = 2001
• Y 2002
• Z (2003)

Month (2nd letter)

• A = January
• B = February
• C = March
• D = April
• E = May
• F = June
• G = July
• H = August
• J = September
• K = October
• L = November
• M = December
• A = January
• E

Included Brands

• The first example is PA******* (January 1997), while the second example is XF******* (June 2001).

Navien

First, PA******* (January 1997), and then XF******* (June 2001) are two examples.

Included Brands

• Example one:****C14X******* (production year 2014)
• Example two:****-2005-****-**** (production year 2005)
• Example three:****-2005-****-**** (production year 2005)
• (The year of production is 2005.)

Rinnai

Rinnai goods are identified by two different serial number patterns. On their most recent models, they employ letters to denote both the month and the year, rather than numbers. Rinnai utilized number references for its earlier water heaters, which were manufactured prior to 2010. The first two are for the calendar year, while the next two are for the month of the year. This is the current system, which goes back to the year 2009 and is as follows:

Year (1st letter)

• A is for 2009, B is for 2010, C is for 2011, D is for 2012, E is for 2013, F is for 2014, G is for 2015, H is for 2016, J is for 2017, K is for 2018, L is for 2019, M is for 2020, N is for 2021, P is for 2020, R is for 2023, S is for 2020, T is for 2020, W is for 2030, X is for 2030, and Z is for 2030.

Month (2nd letter)

• A = January
• B = February
• C = March
• D = April
• E = May
• F = June
• G = July
• H = August
• J = September
• K = October
• L = November
• M = December
• A = January
• E

Included Brands

• In the following alphabetical order: A = January
• B = February
• C = March
• D = April
• E = May
• G = June
• H = August
• J = September
• K = October
• L = November
• M = December
• A = January
• F = June
• G = July
• B = January
• A =

When Should You Replace Your Water Heater?

A = January; B = February; C = March; D = April; E = May; F = June; G = July; H = August; J = September; K = October; L = November; M = December; A = January; B = February; C = March; D = April; E = May; F = June; G = July; H = August; J = September; K = October; L = November; M = December; A = January; B = February; C = March; D = December; A

1.Age of Your Unit

It’s important to start by asking yourself, “How long has the water heater been in service?” The average lifetime might be in the range of 10 to 15 years, depending on the individual. Using this information should assist you in determining the age of your water heater. The majority of specialists, on the other hand, will likely recommend that you replace your unit by the time it reaches its 15th birthday. Even if it is currently operating at peak efficiency, its performance may soon begin to deteriorate as a result of its advanced age.

2.Less Hot Water

If you suddenly notice a decrease in the amount of hot water being produced, it may be time to consider a replacement.

The majority of individuals begin to notice a decrease in water temperature – instead of hot water, tepid water may be flowing. Alternatively, it is possible that the water heater is suddenly unable to supply enough heat for an eight-minute hot shower on average.

3.Higher Heating Bills

The heating of water consumes a significant amount of household energy (18 percent) (4). When the performance of an old water heater begins to deteriorate, so does the efficiency of the unit. As a result, you could see an increase in your utility expenses.

4.Corrosion

If you notice rust on your water heater, it’s a good indication that it’s time to replace it. This shouldn’t emerge until the unit has been in use for a substantial amount of time, and it seldom does. When you see red staining in the water, you can be confident that this is the cause of the problem. The presence of red tinged water may indicate the presence of rust within the water heater.

Age Is Not Just a Number

Water heaters are not built to survive indefinitely; on average, they need to be replaced after 10 to 15 years of operation. The age of your water heater, however, will have to be determined by you, unless you’re keeping note of the dates when it was installed. Fortunately, as long as you know the serial number and brand name — and you have a helpful guide to assist you in decoding it — this should be a quite simple task. How old is your water heater? Do you know how old it is? As well as any other queries you may have, we’d want to hear your response in the comments section down below.