Determining water heater age date from serial numbers by Final Analysis Home Inspections in Virginia beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Portsmouth Virginia, Va.
Determining water heater age. | Back to Tech Library |
Related article: Also see 'How big should your water heater be' at our Home Inspection news blog.
As home inspectors it's important to be able to decipher the age from the water heater manufacturers serial numbers so we can report aging conditions and tell you when you can expect to replace them because a water heaters service life is approximately 13-18 years.
![Reading Ruud Model Numbers Reading Ruud Model Numbers](/uploads/1/2/6/5/126502062/929102821.jpg)
Reading Ruud Model Numbers Chart
- HVAC equipment and HVAC brands have different coding systems for serial and model numbers, known as nomenclature. Use the HVAC nomencalture guides below to properly identify and understand your HVAC specs, find repair parts, and OEM equipment.
- Cross reference old Ruud model numbers to the new Ruud model numbers. Use this model look-up tool to quickly and easily convert old water heating model numbers to the new, more intuitive numbering system. Just type in your old Ruud model number and we will show you the new model number. See the new model number structure. Enter Ruud Model Number.
- The model number for older Ruud air conditioners such as this model UAKA unit contains some useful information. And this unit is a 10 SEER air conditioner designed for use in single family homes. Moreover, this model was also used in multi-family units and light commercial applications.
AO SMITH rating plates look a little different, but have all the same info. Their date de-coding is a little different.
American water heater rating plate, with close up below.
The Bradford White rating plate is the most difficult to decode. To find the age of a Bradford White tank, you have to understand their coding. The year of manufacture is noted by the first letter of the serial number, the month is the second letter. The decoding is based on the following format:
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
Month Decoder: A= JAN; B=FEB; C=MAR; D= APR; E=MAY; F= JUNE; G=JULY; H= AUG; J= SEPT; K=OCT; L= NOV; M= DEC.
Carrier Furnace Model Numbers
Water Heater serial number chart Back to Tech Library
Manufacturer | Trade name | Where to look | How to decode | Example |
American | ACE, American, American Hardware, America's Best, Apex, Aqua Temp, AquaTherm, Aquamatic, Best, Best Deluxe, Champion, Craftmaster, De-Limer, Deluxe, Eagle, The Earl's Energy Conservation Water Heater, The Earl's Energy Saver Plus, Envirotemp, Four Most, Hotmaster, Hotstream, King-Kleen, King-Line, Master Plumber, Nationaline, Neptune, Penquin, Premier Plus, Premier Plus Self Cleaning Prestige, ProLine and ProLine Plus, Quaker, Quick-Flo, Raywall, Revere, Riveria, Sands, Sentinal, Servi-Star, Shamrock, Special Deluxe, Standard, Super Eagle, Super-Flo, Supreme, Sure-Fire, Thoro-Clean, Tru-Test, Tru Value, U.S. Supply, Whirlpool, XCL Energy Saver | Serial # – 1st 4 digits | Serial # – 1st 4 digits | 8906xxx = made in the 6th week of the year 1989 |
A.O. Smith Water Products | National, A.O. Smith, Glascote, Perma-Glas | Serial # – 2nd, 3rd, 4th characters | 2nd position (letter) = month (A being January through M being December) 3rd & 4th position (numbers) = year | AJ89xxx = made in October (J) of 1989 |
Apollo Comfort Products | See State Industries | |||
Bradford-White | Bradford White, JetGlas | Serial # – 1st 2 letters | 1st letter = year starting with A as 1984, 2nd letter = month with January (A) through December (M) | JMxxx = made in the year 1992 (J) in the month of December (M) |
Crispaire | E-tech | |||
GSW Water Heating | John Wood, GSW, Moffat, Superflue, Medal | Serial # – 1st 4 digits | 1st & 2nd number = year, 3rd & 4th number = month | 8901xxx = made in the year 1989 in the first month, January |
Heat Transfer Products | Heat Transfer | |||
Lochinvar | Energy Saver, Golden Knight, Knight | |||
Marathon | Marathon | Serial # – 1st 4 digits | 1st & 2nd digit = month, 3rd & 4th digit = year | 0189xxx = made in the year 1989 in the first month, January |
Maytag | Maytag | |||
Rheem | Aqua Therm, General Electric, Hotpoint, Professional, Rheem, Vanguard, Western Auto | Serial # – 1st 4 digits | 1st & 2nd digit = month, 3rd & 4th digit = year | 0189xxx = made in the year 1989 in the first month, January |
Richmond | Serial # – 1st 4 digits | 1st & 2nd digit = month, Ebay app for mac os. 3rd & 4th digit = year | 0189xxx = made in the year 1989 in the first month, January | |
Ruud | Professional, Ruud | Serial # – 1st 4 digits | 1st & 2nd digit = month, 3rd & 4th digit = year | 0189xxx = made in the year 1989 in the first month, January |
Sears, Roebuck and Co. | Kenmore | |||
State Industries | State | Serial # – 1st 3 characters | first letter = month (A being January through M, being December), 2nd and 3rd position (numbers) = year | J89xxx = made in October of 1989 |
Summit Manufacturing Mortex | Sun Therm | |||
U.S. Craftsmaster | Ace, American Hardware, America's Best, Apex, Aqua Temp, Aqua Therm, Aquamatic, Best, Best Deluxe, Craftmaster, De-Limer, Deluxe, Eagle, The Earl's Energy Conservation Water Heater, The Earl's Energy Saver Plus, Envirotemp, Four Most, Hotmaster, Hotstream, King-Kleen, King-Line, Master Plumber, Nationaline, Neptune, Penquin, Prestige, Pro-Line, Pro-Line Plus, Quaker, Quick-Flo, Raywall, Revere, Riviera, Sands, Sentinal, Servistar, Shamrock, Special Deluxe, Standard, Supereagle, Super-Flo, Supreme, Sure-Fire, Thoro-Clean, True-Test, Tru Value, U.S. Craftmaster, U.S. Supply, Whirlpool, XCL Energy Saver | Serial # – 1st 4 digits | 1st 2 digits = year 2nd 2 digits= week | 8924xxx = made in the 24th week of the year 1989 |
Vaugn Manufacturing Corp. | Sepco, Hydrohot, D.W. Whitehead |
Ruud Heat Pump Model Numbers
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