The last thing you’d want is for your Birmingham home’s water heater to suddenly fail, just when you need it the most.
Homeowners must know how old their water heater is so they can effectively plan to maintain or replace the unit.
A quick way to determine the age of your water heater is to check the installation documents. But if you didn’t hire the plumber because this job was taken care of by the previous homeowner, you have another option. Look for the unit’s serial number, which should tell you the year and week or month when it was manufactured.
Why Knowing Your Water Heater’s Age Matters
It’s important to know how old your water heater currently is, so you can determine how much more useful service you might expect from it. For example, tankless heaters can deliver hot water to your home in Birmingham for up to two decades, while tank-style water heaters should be in service for about 8 to 12 years.
So, if you don’t remember when your home’s water heater was installed, it’s possible the unit is already close to the end of its useful service life.
Remember that when water heaters grow older, they tend to perform less efficiently. As a result, homeowners pay higher utility bills. And consider that aging water heaters have a higher potential to fail. Failure is even more likely if the unit has not been inspected and maintained by professional plumbers once a year.
Locating the Manufacturer’s Label
Find the manufacturer’s label by looking at the sides of your water heater—typically positioned next to the stickers about how much energy the unit saves and warnings about how to safely operate it.
The label should show you the manufacturing date, or a serial number that you can decode to find out how old the water heater is.
Decoding the Serial Number by Brand
Manufacturers do not have identical ways to show the year and month in which their water heaters are produced. Here’s a guide to help you decode the serial numbers for various brands of water heaters.
A.O. Smith Water Heaters:
What’s an A.O. Smith water heater age? Find out by looking at the first two digits of the serial number, which stand for the year, and the next two digits, which correspond to the week it was manufactured.
Bradford White Water Heaters:
Look at the first letter of your Bradford White water heater’s serial number to identify the year the manufacturer made it. The month is indicated by the second letter, like this:
Year:
If you see the first letter is “A,” it means Bradford White manufactured the water heater in either 1984 or 2004. The company recycles its letters every 20 years. So a serial number starting with “B” means it was built in 1985 or 2005. “C” stands for 1986 or 2006, and so on.
Month:
If it was constructed in January, the second letter of the Bradford White water heater serial number will be “A.” If built in February, it will have the letter “B,” and so on.
Generally, homeowners will be able to distinguish a water heater built in 1985 from one built in 2005, but if you have any doubts, a professional from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing will check out the unit and tell you how old it is.
Rheem and Ruud Water Heaters:
Look at the serial number’s first four digits, following a MMYY format for month of manufacture and year of manufacturer. “0915” would indicate a Rheem and Ruud water heater was built in September 2015.
Signs Your Water Heater May Be Aging
What are the main indications (physical and performance) that your home in Birmingham has an aging water heater that may need repair or replacement?
- Water leaks from the heater
- Water appears rusty
- Unit makes strange, rumbling sounds
- Water temperature is inconsistent
When you see these signs, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today for a plumber to inspect your system and determine if it’s due for replacement or repair.
When to Contact a Professional
You may need to contact a professional if you are uncertain about how old the water heater is (you can’t find the serial number or installation paperwork). Or, if you found the serial number but have difficulty interpreting the numbers, get clarity by calling us for service.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing’s experts have years of experience inspecting, maintaining, fixing and upgrading water heaters for Birmingham homeowners and we welcome the opportunity to serve you.
Our team monitors news about the latest government and manufacture rebates, which we’ll advise you about to save money when you buy a new water heater.
Benefits of Upgrading an Old Water Heater
When it’s time to upgrade with a new water heater, you can anticipate some benefits:
The latest models work more efficiently than water heaters from a decade ago. They’re designed to use less energy while providing the same level of heating. This translates to reduced power bills.
We will listen to what you want in a new water heater, and recommend options such as heat pump water heaters and hybrid electric water heaters, which can further cut how much you pay the utility each month.
Is Your Water Heater Nearing Its Last Days? Here’s What to Do
Your first step is to verify the age of your water heater, such as from the paperwork the last plumber provided during installation, or by examining the unit for its serial number. That’s usually printed on a sticker that the manufacturer adheres to the side of the unit.
Next, contact us to arrange proactive maintenance, rather than waiting to react to a major problem that needs the attention of a professional plumber.
We want to help you avoid experiencing a sudden water heater failure. And because of our expertise and years of experience, we are adept at determining when a water heater needs replacement instead of more repairs.
Don’t Get Caught Without Hot Water – Let’s Check Your Heater Today!
Get in touch with the professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today for help with your aging water heater. We’re standing by to inspect your unit. If we discover a problem, we’ll assess whether replacement, repair or maintenance is the best course of action.
FAQs
Birmingham homeowners often get in touch with us to inquire about the age of their water heaters and what maintenance they need. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions.
How can I find the serial number on my water heater?
You should be able to locate the serial number printed on the manufacturer’s label, which will be on the side of the water heater, next to the warning and energy guide labels.
What does it mean if my water heater is making rumbling noises?
Weird rumbling noises coming out of your water heater indicate calcium, dirt and sediment have accumulated inside the unit. They rest on the bottom, and as the water heats up, the noises begin.
Is rusty water always a sign of a failing water heater?
If you notice rust-colored water, it is a major sign that the unit is rusty and starting to corrode. Ideally, you will contact us to send a professional to evaluate your water heater to see if it’s still viable.
Can I determine the age of my water heater without the serial
number?
We understand that homeowners may not have all the paperwork for their home’s water heater. And if you are unable to find the unit’s serial number, see if you can locate the manufacturer’s label with this date on the side of the water heater.
What are the benefits of upgrading to a newer water heater model?
For one, you can look forward to lower utility bills, since newer water heaters operate with greater efficiency. And the fact that you have a new manufacturer’s warranty means your investment will be protected well into the future if any repairs are needed.
How often should I have my water heater inspected?
At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, our experts advocate scheduling water heater inspections once per year. With regular inspections, we are able to identify small issues that cost less to fix.