Your trusty water heater quietly works behind the scenes, providing warm showers, sanitized dishes, and clean clothes. However, like any other appliance, water heaters have a lifespan of anywhere from eight to twelve years. So, we firmly believe it’s a good idea to keep track of the age of your water heater. Now, we know that remembering another date is probably the last thing you want to have to keep track of, but knowing how to determine your water heater’s age can be invaluable when it comes to maintenance, potential repairs, or planning for a replacement. Being blindsided is never fun, so follow these steps from your Lebanon Plumbing & Drain professionals.
Check Your Records for the Date of Installation:
If you have records of when your water heater was installed, determining its age is straightforward. The installation date is a reliable indicator of the water heater’s age. So, the first and easiest way we suggest is to check your files for invoices or any documentation from the installation process to find the date of installation.
Find the Serial Number on the Product Label:
Most water heaters come with a manufacturer’s label or serial number that contains important information, including the production date. Typically, this means the serial number which should include a combination of letters and numbers. Most manufacturers often encode the manufacturing date within the serial number, although the format can vary.
To decipher the age of your water heater age, you’ll need to locate the serial number first. Do this by:
- Looking for the serial number on your water heater.
- Checking the user manual for directions.
- Some manufacturers use a simple code where the first four digits represent the year and week of production (e.g., YYWW).
Online Resources and Databases:
Several online resources and databases can help you identify the age of your water heater based on the manufacturer and serial number. To use these resources:
- Write down your water heater’s brand and serial number.
- Visit a reliable online database.
- Input these details along with the words “manufacture date” into your preferred search engine.
You should have several websites populated that will provide you with specific instructions on how to use the serial number to decode your water heater’s manufacture date.
Contacting the Manufacturer:
If all else fails, contacting the manufacturer can provide accurate information about your water heater’s age. Most manufacturers have customer support or help centers where you can reach out for assistance. If you provide them with the serial number, they should be able to guide you in determining the age of your water heater.
Professional Inspection:
If you still haven’t been able to find out the age of your water heater, we’d love to help! During your next seasonal checkup, any of our certified plumbers would be more than happy to help you with this.
Remember, we are here for all of your plumbing needs! Call Lebanon Plumbing & Drain today at (513) 427- 2443, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!