“How can I tell how old my water heater is?” It’s a common question we hear from Pensacola Gulf Breeze homeowners. You should determine the age of your water heater in order to make plans for maintenance or schedule a replacement.
Begin by checking the date of manufacture in the paperwork from installation day. Or, if the previous homeowner installed it and has this paperwork, you can check the side of the water heater for a sticker with a serial number. The serial number indicates when the company built your water heater.
Why Knowing Your Water Heater’s Age Matters
It’s crucial to know the age of the water heater in your Pensacola Gulf Breeze abode. This is because you’ll get a different number of years of service depending on the type of water heater you use:
- Tankless water heaters tend to operate for as many as 20 years
- Tank-style units usually provide service for about 8 to 12 years
So, if you cannot determine the date of manufacture from paperwork or a serial number sticker, it’s prudent to assume your water heater is already getting so old that the time to replace it is coming soon.
In general, water heaters become less efficient as they age. They use more energy to give you the same amount of hot water, so your utility bills increase.
Another factor to consider is that the older the water heater is, the more susceptible it is to failure.
Therefore, we recommend that Pensacola Gulf Breeze homeowners schedule annual inspections and maintenance, to get the most service out of an aging water heater.
Locating the Manufacturer’s Label
Find the manufacturer’s serial number sticker on the side of your water heater (typically it’s next to the warning and energy saving stickers).
Sometimes labels just show the manufacturing date. If yours shows a serial number, you’ll need to decode it to learn when the company produced the unit.
Decoding the Serial Number by Brand
Manufacturers of water heaters use their own unique systems to create serial numbers. What follows are serial number decoding tips for major water heater brands.
A.O. Smith Water Heaters:
Check the first two digits of the serial number to learn the year A.O. Smith built your water heater. The second two digits tell you what week the company constructed it.
Bradford White Water Heaters:
The serial number begins with a letter to show the year the company built the water heater. The next letter indicates the month of manufacture.
Year:
When Bradford White built a water heater in 1984 or 2004, it used the letter “A.” If built in 1985 or 2005, the company used the letter B,” and so on.
In this way, Bradford White repeats the letters every 20 years.
Month:
The manufacturer designates “A” as the second letter to show it was built in January, and “B” for a unit built in February, and so on. This means if the Bradford White serial number reads “AB,” they built your water heater in February of either 1984 or 2004.
The experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing are skilled at quickly determining just how old a water heater is, even when the serial numbers are a bit tricky to decipher.
Rheem and Ruud Water Heaters:
Each Rheem and Ruud water heater comes with a serial number using a month-year format (MMYY). So you’ll see a serial number with “0720” if they build the water heater in July 2020.
Signs Your Water Heater May Be Aging
Are you concerned that the water heater in your Pensacola Gulf Breeze is aging? Be alert for these indications:
- Water temperature is inconsistent
- Water leaks from the tank
- Water has a rusty color
- Water heater makes strange, rumbling sounds
If you noticed any of these signs, give us a call as soon as possible.
One of our knowledgeable plumbers will inspect your water heater and determine if your best course of action is to replace or fix the unit.
When to Contact a Professional
If you are unsure about the age of your water heater or if you already see signs of advanced age, it’s a good idea to contact the professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, the preferred plumbing company serving Pensacola Gulf Breeze homeowners.
We offer yearly inspections and maintenance to keep your water heater in the best possible shape.
And if we discover that you need to replace the water heater, we’ll advise you about energy-efficient options and rebates, all to save you more money on your investment.
Benefits of Upgrading an Old Water Heater
You’ll see an immediate benefit as your utility bills go down, since the new water heater will operate much more efficiently than the one it replaced.
If you’re in the market for the most efficient model, we’ll advise you about new technologies for hybrid electric water heaters and heat pump water heaters.
Another long-term benefit is the protection you’ll have from the new unit’s manufacturer warranty.
Is Your Water Heater Nearing Its Last Days? Here’s What to Do
As your water heater grows older, you’ll want to find the precise date it was manufactured (from the installation paperwork, or the manufacturer’s sticker showing the serial number).
Then, you should call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to provide inspection and maintenance services for your water heater in Pensacola Gulf Breeze. With proactive maintenance, you can keep your unit running longer.
Don’t Get Caught Without Hot Water – Let’s Check Your Heater Today!
We strongly encourage you to connect with us to check out your water heater. Then, we’ll determine if it can continue operating much longer, or if it’s better to install a new unit.
Call us to schedule service today!
FAQs
These are answers to the questions most frequently asked about water heaters and their maintenance by Pensacola Gulf Breeze homeowners:
How can I find the serial number on my water heater?
Find the serial number on a sticker affixed to the side of the tank, often next to the warning and energy savings stickers.
What does it mean if my water heater is making rumbling noises?
The rumbling noises happen after the buildup of sediment, dirt and calcium on the bottom of the tank, as water begins heating up.
Is rusty water always a sign of a failing water heater?
Rust and corrosion are most likely the reason you see rusty water. Call us for an inspection to find out the condition of your Pensacola Gulf Breeze water heater!
Can I determine the age of my water heater without the serial
number?
Certainly. There might be a manufacturer’s label indicating the date of manufacture, even if no serial number can be found. Or, check the installation documents.
What are the benefits of upgrading to a newer water heater model?
You’ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your investment is protected by the manufacturer’s warranty. Furthermore, you can start saving money on your next utility bills, as the new water should operate much more efficiently than the old one it replaced.
How often should I have my water heater inspected?
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing’s experts recommend you schedule annual inspections. This allows us to find problems that are still easier to address (less expensively).