Expired Warranty? How to Check If Your Water Heater is Too Old Using the Serial Number
Having a reliable water heater is essential for any home. But water heaters don't last forever. Over time, the average water heater will wear out and need replacing after about 10-15 years. When problems start popping up, many homeowners wonder - is my water heater too old?
Luckily, you can easily figure out the age of your water heater using the serial number printed on the label. Decoding this serial number will tell you the exact manufacture date so you can calculate the current age. Knowing the age of your water heater is useful for several reasons:
Decoding Water Heater Serial Numbers
Water heater serial numbers follow a specific code that allows you to pinpoint the date of manufacture. Here are some of the main decoding systems used by popular brands:
- Rheem - Uses a format like MMYY12345 where MM is the month and YY is the year.
- Bradford White - Uses a letter-based system where the first two letters represent the year and month.
- AO Smith - Follows a YYWWXXXXX format with YY as the year and WW as the week.
Some brands like State Industries use a completely digit-based system instead of letters. The first two digits are the year and the second two are the month. It helps to check the manufacturer's website if you can't figure out their serial number format.
Step-by-Step Guide to Decoding
Follow these steps to find the age of your water heater from the serial number:
- Locate the metal serial number label on the outside of the tank.
- Identify the manufacturer using the format of the serial number.
- Match the serial number to the brand's decoding system.
- Decode the year and month digits or letters.
- Calculate the current age by subtracting the year of manufacture from the current year.
For example, if the serial number is 22101234 and it's made by Rheem, the 22 would stand for 2022 and the 01 for January. For a Rheem water heater bought in January 2022, the age would be 1 year old as of 2023.
Using Age to Check Warranty Status
Most water heaters come with a manufacturer's warranty covering repairs for 3-12 years. To claim warranty coverage, you'll need to prove the age of your heater is within the warranty period. This is where the serial number comes in handy.
First, find the warranty terms for your specific model - this should be in the manual or available on the company website. Then compare the manufacture year from the serial number to the warranty coverage period. If your water heater was made in 2015 and has a 10 year warranty, it would still be covered until 2025 before needing to pay for repairs yourself.
When to Replace an Old Water Heater
While most water heaters last 10-15 years, it's generally recommended to replace them once they reach 10 years old. Even if it still works, an old heater is more likely to corrode, leak, and fail as components wear out over time. Replacing before 10 years can prevent unexpected breakdowns and water damage.
Signs like rumbling noises, cloudy water, and spikes in energy bills indicate your aging water heater needs replacing. At that point, repair costs often exceed the price of buying a new, more energy efficient model that will last longer.
As you can see, the serial number on your water heater provides valuable information about its age and expected lifespan. Decoding the manufacture date helps determine if your unit still has warranty coverage or needs to be replaced. So make sure to check that serial number and do the math - before you're stuck with an expired warranty on an ancient water heater!