Predicting how long the water heater will last can be hard, depending upon the model and gas source, its lifetime might be anyplace between 8 and 20 years.
Common traditional electric water heaters have a tendency to last 10-15 years and generally come with a standard six years guarantee. In case you do not know the age of your present unit, it’s well worth checking out to see if you are nearing time for a replacement.
It is worth preparing before the water heater gives fails or up, which can be inconvenient or catastrophic. Since discovering the date of installation isn’t always simple, we came up with the handy guide below to assist you to decode the water heater’s serial number.
Check the label
Check to get a label of the manufacturer’s on the side of the water heater, this should include the installation date. In case the label is lost, or the installation date isn’t recorded, you may use the serial number to determine the age of your device.
Decoding the serial number
Serial number formats vary by manufacturer, with the installation date set differently in each case. Check the brand name on the water heater and after that use the following guide to determine the age of your device
Rheem and Ruud
MMYY****
MM = Month of manufacture
YY = Year of manufacture
Example: 1209D1234 = December 2009
American and AO Smith
2008–present:
YYWW*******
YY = Year of manufacture
WW = Week of manufacture
Example: 16051234567 = 2016, 5th week (early February)
Pre-2008:
*MYY******
M = Month of manufacture
A = January | B = February | C = March | D = April | E = May | F = June | G = July | H = August | J = September | K = October | L = November | M = December
YY = Year of manufacture
Example: 4D051234567 = April 2005
Bradford White
Bradford White’s serial numbers are a little less straightforward. The year of manufacture is noted by the first letter of the serial number, and the month is the second letter.
YM*******
Y = Year of manufacture
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 | N = 1996 or 2016 | P = 1997 or 2017 | S = 1998 or 2018 | T = 1999 or 2019 | W = 2000 | X = 2001 | Y = 2002 | Z = 2003
Note:Bradford White water heaters manufactured 20 years apart will have the same letter designation
M = Month of manufacture
A = January | B = February | C = March | D = April | E = May | F = June | G = July | H = August | J = September | K = October | L = November | M = December
Example: KH6511396 = August 2013
Is your water heater’s brand not listed above?
If your water heater’s brand isn’t listed, check NACHI’s or The Water Heater Hub’s serial decoder to learn more.
Due for a replacement?
If it’s time for your old unit to go, consider upgrading to an electric heat pump water heater. The super-efficient heat pump technology can save a three-person household up to $300 a year on utility bills, plus heat pump water heaters come with a standard 10-year warranty. Many utilities also offer installation rebates.
