Just how old is your home’s water heater? Homeowners in Gainesville, FL, homeowners will want to know the age of their water heater so they can plan maintenance or see if the unit needs to be replaced.
The fastest way is to check the paperwork for the installation of your water heater. But if you cannot locate the documents (such as if the previous owner installed the water heater), you can look at the serial number sticker that the company affixed to the side of the unit.
You’ll learn the year and month of the water heater’s manufacture date from the serial number.
Why Knowing Your Water Heater’s Age Matters
Because different types of water heaters last longer than others, you’ll want to know what type of unit you have:
- Tankless water heaters last up to 20 years
- Tank-style water heaters last as many as 8-12 years
If you can’t tell how old your water heater is, there’s a possibility it may be so old that it’s due for replacement. Keep in mind that as your water heater ages, it will operate less efficiently than when first installed. Accordingly, homeowners in Gainesville with aging water heaters must spend more on their utility bills.
Another reason to know how old your water heater is that it may malfunction or completely break down. This is especially the case for homeowners who forget to arrange inspections and maintenance every year.
Locating the Manufacturer’s Label
Look for the serial number on a sticker at the side of your water heater, which manufacturers typically place near the energy savings and safety warning stickers.
A label may tell you the date of manufacture. Or, it will show a serial number that you’ll need to decode to learn how old the unit is.
Decoding the Serial Number by Brand
Companies do not all use the same system to note the manufacturing date in their water heater serial numbers. Here’s a guide to deciphering the serial number of your water heater in Gainesville:
A.O. Smith Water Heaters:
A.O. Smith indicates the year of manufacture with the serial number’s first two digits, and the week of manufacture with the second two digits.
Bradford White Water Heaters:
When you examine a water heater from Bradford White, you’ll see that the serial number’s first letter stands for the year the unit was built. The second letter indicates the month of production.
Year:
Water heaters from Bradford White made in 1984 or 2004 come with a serial number starting with the letter “A.” The serial number begins with the letter “B” for units produced in either 1985 or 2005, with the pattern continuing in this fashion.
Please note that Bradford White repeats its serial number letters every 20 years.
Month:
To indicate a January production month, Bradford White uses “A.” If built in February, it uses “B,” and so on.
So, if you see “BB” in the serial number, it indicates the company manufactured your water heater in February of 1985 or 2005. Usually homeowners will be able to tell if their unit is from 1985 or 2005.
But if you have any doubts about decoding the serial number, the plumbers from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing are experts at figuring out how old water heaters are.
Rheem and Ruud Water Heaters:
Check the first four digits of your Rheem and Ruud water heater. The company follows a MMYY pattern (month and year with two digits each). So, if the water heater was constructed in March 2020, the serial number will read “0320.”
Signs Your Water Heater May Be Aging
Have you noticed any of these signs in your water heater? They indicate the unit may be aging and due for maintenance, repairs or replacement:
- Water temperature is inconsistent
- Rust-colored water
- Water leaking from the unit
- The water heater makes strange, rumbling noises
Call us today if your water heater is showing any of these signs of aging. We’ll inspect it and see if it needs to be fixed or upgraded with a new, more efficient unit that will save you money.
When to Contact a Professional
When you’re uncertain about the age of your Gainesville water heater or have seen signs the unit is growing old, it’s a good idea to get in touch with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. We recommend you call us for service if you cannot find the unit’s serial number and manufacturing date, so we can evaluate how well it’s functioning.
Our team helps keep water heaters running at their best with annual inspections and maintenance. We’ll fix your unit if it’s still eligible for repairs, or consult with you about your choices to replace the water heater.
If it’s time to get a new water heater, we will go over the latest government and utility rebates, to save you money. Contact us today for more information!
Benefits of Upgrading an Old Water Heater
How can you benefit from installing a new water heater?
If it’s time to upgrade the water heater because of signs of advanced aging, your new unit will work more efficiently, reducing utility bills.
We are experts in the latest water heater technology. Our team will be happy to consult with you about the latest heat pump water heaters and hybrid electric water heaters so you can save even more money while using less power.
Is Your Water Heater Nearing Its Last Days? Here’s What to Do
Verify the age of your water heater, checking the serial number stuck to the side of the tank (if you can’t find the installation paperwork).
Then, call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to schedule proactive maintenance, which is a much better approach than only doing reactive maintenance when something has gone wrong with your water heater.
With regular maintenance, you can reduce the possibility of the water heater failing unexpectedly. Our plumbers will keep an eye on the unit to let you know when it looks like it’s time for replacement.
Don’t Get Caught Without Hot Water – Let’s Check Your Heater Today!
We have years of experience checking water heaters for Gainesville homeowners, helping them determine whether their unit is still viable, or if they should upgrade it now.
Connect with us today for comprehensive water heater service!
FAQs
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing answers our Gainesville customers’ most frequently asked questions.
How can I find the serial number on my water heater?
Check the side of the tank, where the serial number sticker should be next to energy savings and warning stickers.
What does it mean if my water heater is making rumbling noises?
Dirt, calcium and sediment building up on the bottom of the tank can cause your unit to make noises when the water heats up.
Is rusty water always a sign of a failing water heater?
Consider that the tank is constantly in contact with water that will make it rust. We will check your water heater to see if it’s too corroded to last much longer and about to fail.
Can I determine the age of my water heater without the serial
number?
Consult the documentation that came when your water heater was installed. Or, look for the company’s label showing the date of manufacture.
What are the benefits of upgrading to a newer water heater model?
Your utility bills will go down, as a newer unit runs more efficiently. The manufacturer’s warranty will also save you money on potential repairs.
How often should I have my water heater inspected?
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing suggests you arrange annual inspections and maintenance for your Gainesville water heater. It’s cheaper to fix problems when they’re relatively small, compared to reacting to a malfunction and only then calling for maintenance.
That is, it’s better to be proactive rather than reactive with inspections and maintenance.