As a prudent homeowner in Orlando, it’s important to know how to tell how old your water heater is. That’s so you can make more informed decisions about scheduling maintenance or planning to replace your unit for a newer and more efficient model.
Check the documents from your water heater’s installation.
If you don’t have this information, such as if the previous owner of your home installed it, you can check for a serial number printed on a sticker stuck to the side of the tank.
The serial number should show you the date of manufacture.
Why Knowing Your Water Heater’s Age Matters
Since different types of water heaters come with different projected lifetimes, you will want to know the age of your water heater to estimate how much more service you can get from it:
- Tank-style units usually work for about 8 to 12 years
- Tankless water heaters tend to operate for as many as 2 decades
If you are unable to locate the date of manufacture from paperwork or a serial number, the water tank may already be getting so old that it’s time to replace it with a new unit.
Older water heaters do not operate as efficiently as the newest models. As a consequence, Orlando homeowners find themselves paying higher utility bills every year as their water heater keeps up with demand.
Another issue with water heaters is that as they age, they are more prone to malfunction or failure. This is particularly the case when residents don’t keep up with inspections and maintenance from a reliable company, such as Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.
Locating the Manufacturer’s Label
Check the side of your water tank for the manufacturer’s label, which could show the date of production. Or, there might be a serial number affixed to the side of the water heater next to energy savings information and warning stickers.
The next step will be to decipher the serial number to determine the unit’s age.
Decoding the Serial Number by Brand
Manufacturers use their own systems to create serial numbers after producing water heaters. The following details will help you decode your serial number according to the brand.
A.O. Smith Water Heaters:
The first two digits of the serial number correspond to the year A.O. Smith built the water heater. The second two digits indicate the week the manufacturer produced the unit.
Bradford White Water Heaters:
You’ll find the year a Bradford White water heater was manufactured by checking the first letter of its serial number. The second letter indicates the month they built your water heater.
Year:
Bradford White recycles the letters in its serial numbers every 20 years. So, a unit they built in 1984 or 2004 begins with the letter “A.” If they built it in 1985 or 2005, the serial number starts with the letter “B.”
Month:
In Bradford White water heater serial numbers, the letter “A” indicates a January production date, and the letter “B” means it was made in February, and so on.
So, a serial number starting with “AB” shows that Bradford White produced the unit in February of 1984 or 2004. The professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing will check your unit to assess whether it was built fairly recently or 20 years ago, if you’re not able to decode the serial number.
Rheem and Ruud Water Heaters:
This company’s serial numbers use a month-year (MMYY) format. If you see “0720,” for example, it shows that Rheem and Ruud manufactured your water heater in July 2020.
Signs Your Water Heater May Be Aging
Here are signs to pay attention to, as they indicate your water heater may be starting to get old:
- Water temperature is inconsistent
- Water has a rusty color
- Water heater gives off strange, rumbling noises
- Water is leaking from the unit
If you see any or all of these indications, it’s time for you to contact the water heater experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. After we inspect the unit, we can tell you if it’s better for your bank account to repair the water heater or upgrade to a new one.
When to Contact a Professional
Call us today if you can’t be certain about how old your water heater is, or if the unit is already showing signs of aging or potential failure.
We’ll advise you to schedule maintenance and inspection services every year, to get the most out of your aging water heater.
And if the unit is truly on its last legs or running so inefficiently that your utility bills are skyrocketing, no worries! We’ll explain your options for money-saving government or manufacturer rebates.
Benefits of Upgrading an Old Water Heater
A chief benefit of upgrading your Orlando home’s water heater is that your power bills should go down, due to the better efficiency of the new unit. What’s more, you will benefit from the new manufacturer’s warranty protection, in case it needs repairs later.
We know many local homeowners want to reduce their energy usage as much as possible. To that end, we’ll consult with you about the latest technology, including heat pump water heaters and hybrid electric heaters.
Is Your Water Heater Nearing Its Last Days? Here’s What to Do
When Orlando homeowners know their water heater is starting to show its age, they should get a precise manufacturing date from the installation paperwork or a serial number sticker on the side of the tank.
Then, it’s best to contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing for proactive maintenance services. Our goal is to keep your water heater operating properly for the remainder of its service life.
Don’t Get Caught Without Hot Water – Let’s Check Your Heater Today!
It’s best to schedule a water heater inspection so you’ll know the exact situation with your home’s plumbing.
Our plumbers are standing by to examine the water heater you rely on, to see if it’s still viable or needs to be replaced.
Connect with us today to arrange service!
FAQs
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing’s experts respond to the most frequently asked questions from Orlando homeowners about aging water heaters and maintenance.
How can I find the serial number on my water heater?
You can usually locate the manufacturer’s serial number printed on a sticker next to the energy info and warning stickers on the side of the water heater.
What does it mean if my water heater is making rumbling noises?
You can hear these sounds after dirt, calcium and sediment accumulate inside the water heater, whenever the unit starts heating the water.
Is rusty water always a sign of a failing water heater?
Rust and corrosion are usually why homeowners in Orlando see rusty water. Call us to inspect your water heater to find out how advanced the problem is.
Can I determine the age of my water heater without the serial
number?
You might find this information in the installation paperwork. Or, even there is no serial number, the company might have included a sticker with a manufacturing date on the side of the water heater.
What are the benefits of upgrading to a newer water heater model?
The new water heater will run more efficiently. You’ll therefore save money on each utility bill, going forward. Since you’ll have coverage from the new unit’s warranty, you’ll reduce the total cost of ownership of your water heater.
How often should I have my water heater inspected?
The experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing recommend that Orlando homeowners set up inspections for their water heaters annually. It’s cheaper and easier to fix problems while they’re still relatively small, rather than merely reacting to problems and then scheduling an inspection.