Homeowners in Niceville need to know how to tell how old their water heater is, so they can make plans to either schedule proactive maintenance services or have the experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing install a new unit.
Information about the age of your water heater should be available with the paperwork that came during installation. Otherwise, look for the manufacturer’s sticker with a serial number on the side of the water heater. The serial number should tell you the manufacturing date.
Why Knowing Your Water Heater’s Age Matters
It’s not enough to just know how old your water heater is. You also should be aware what type of unit you rely on to heat water in your Niceville abode. For example, a tank-style water heater usually lasts about 8-12 years, while a tankless-water heater can deliver service for as many as two decades.
If you are unable to find out the age of the unit, your water heater may already be so old that it’s coming time to replace it with a new and more energy-efficient water heater.
Older water heaters tend to lose efficiency, causing Niceville residents to pay higher utility bills than necessary.
What’s more, the older your water heater is, the more prone it is to malfunctioning. If you forget to arrange regular inspections and maintenance each year with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, the chances of water heater failure only increase.
Locating the Manufacturer’s Label
You can usually find the manufacturer’s label stuck on the side of the tank (next to the warning and energy saving stickers).
The manufacturer’s label will show the date of production. Or, it will have a serial number for the unit that you can decode to find when they manufactured your water heater.
Decoding the Serial Number by Brand
Water heater manufacturers use different formats for their units’ serial numbers. Below is information on major brands’ serial number formats to help you determine the age of your particular water heater.
A.O. Smith Water Heaters:
A.O. Smith describes the year it built your water heater with the serial number’s first two digits, and uses the second two digits to indicate the week of manufacture.
Bradford White Water Heaters:
Look at the first letter of the serial number of your Bradford White water heater to see what year it was built, and the second letter to learn the month:
Year:
Bradford White water heaters recycle their serial numbers every 20 years. Accordingly, a unit built in 1984 or 2004 will begin with the letter “A,” while those built in 1985 or 2005 will start with the letter “B,” and so on.
Month:
To designate a January production run, Bradford White uses the letter “A”, while the letter “B” indicates February, etc.
You’ll see, for example, a serial number with “BD” that shows it was built in April 1985 or April 2005. The team at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has the skill and experience to determine if your aging water heater was built 20 years ago or more recently, if you aren’t sure about interpreting the serial number details on your own.
Rheem and Ruud Water Heaters:
The serial numbers from Rheem and Ruud use a month-year format (MMYY). So, a water heater they built in May 2021 will have a serial number of “0521.”
Signs Your Water Heater May Be Aging
Do you suspect that your Niceville home’s water heater is starting to get old? Check for these indications:
- Water temperature is inconsistent
- Water has a rusty color
- Water leaks from the water heater
- The unit emits strange rumbling sounds
If you see any or all of these indications, it’s time to call the experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to schedule an inspection. We’ll determine if it’s more economical and practical for you to repair the unit or replace it.
When to Contact a Professional
Schedule a service call to your Niceville home as soon as possible if your water heater’s age is unknown, or if you have seen signs of it starting to age. We will provide professional inspection and maintenance services to prolong the useful life of your water heater.
If you do need to upgrade your unit, we’ll help you save money with advice about which rebate offer is the most suitable for you.
Benefits of Upgrading an Old Water Heater
A major benefit of installing a brand-new water heater is that your investment will be protected by the manufacturer’s warranty. With annual inspections and maintenance from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, you can rest assured that your water heater will work far into the future.
Another benefit is that your power bills will decline after installing a new energy-efficient unit. If you are curious about the latest energy-saving technology for water heaters, we’ll consult with you about heat pump water heaters and hybrid electric heaters.
Is Your Water Heater Nearing Its Last Days? Here’s What to Do
Find the serial number on the side of the water heater, or look through the installation paperwork for this information to see how old the unit is.
If your water heater is getting close to the end, you’ll want to arrange for proactive maintenance.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing’s experts are standing by to help you prolong the lifespan of your aging water heater, or we’ll suggest a suitable replacement if that’s a less expensive option than repairs.
Don’t Get Caught Without Hot Water – Let’s Check Your Heater Today!
Don’t guess about the status and age of your water heater! After all, you don’t want to face the prospect of it malfunctioning just when you need hot water the most, such as for a shower before work or to run a load of dishes after a dinner party.
We’ll let you now how much longer the water heater should continue working before it’s time to upgrade it with a new unit.
Connect with us today to schedule a service call!
FAQs
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing offers answers to the most frequently asked questions about water heater age and maintenance from our Niceville customers.
How can I find the serial number on my water heater?
Find the manufacturer’s serial number on a sticker on the side of the unit, next to energy guide and warning stickers.
What does it mean if my water heater is making rumbling noises?
These sounds often happen after sediment, calcium and dirt build up on the tank’s bottom, increasing noise as the water begins heating.
Is rusty water always a sign of a failing water heater?
When you see rusty water, it’s a strong indication that your water heater is failing. An expert from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing will evaluate your water heater for rust and corrosion.
Can I determine the age of my water heater without the serial
number?
Yes, by checking the installation paperwork, or by looking for a manufacturer’s label that indicates the production date.
What are the benefits of upgrading to a newer water heater model?
The warranty coverage that comes with your new water heater will benefit you in case the unit needs repairs.
Since an upgraded water heater will work more efficiently than the old one it’s replacing, you can count on smaller utility bills.
How often should I have my water heater inspected?
Our professionals say that for best results, you should schedule a water heater inspection for your Niceville dwelling once annually. When we catch a problem while still small, it will take less time and money to repair.