Have you been wondering, “How old is my water heater?” If so, you’re among many homeowners in Melbourne who are curious about the same issue. It’s essential to know the age of your water heater so you can plan ahead for maintenance or to replace the unit.
Check the paperwork from when a plumber put in your water heater. But if the previous owner installed the unit or you can’t find the documents, you can determine the water heater’s age by its serial number. It may appear on a sticker affixed to the side of the tank. The serial number will indicate when the manufacturer produced your water heater.
Why Knowing Your Water Heater’s Age Matters
As a responsible Melbourne homeowner, you need to know the age of your water heater, because different types of units provide more years of service than others:
- A tank-style unit should provide heated water for 8 to 12 years
- A tankless water heater can work for as many as 20 years
But if you do not know how old your water heater is, it may be getting old enough to warrant replacement with an upgraded unit. This is because water heaters operate less efficiently as they age.
This translates to Melbourne homeowners using more power to keep their water at the same temperature as in the past, which raises utility bills.
You also have to be aware that aging water heaters are more prone to failure than new units. We’ve heard stories from customers who forgot to schedule annual inspections and maintenance and then found their water heater breaking down unexpectedly.
Locating the Manufacturer’s Label
Look for the manufacturer’s label on the side of the tank. Manufacturers usually put the label next to the energy information and warning stickers. Examine the label for a manufacturing date or the manufacturer’s serial number. You can decode the serial number to learn the date of manufacture.
Decoding the Serial Number by Brand
We will help you identify the water heater age by serial number. Be aware that each manufacturer can have its own way of designating water heater serial numbers:
A.O. Smith Water Heaters:
This company reveals the date of manufacture with the first two digits of its serial number. It shows the week it was built via the second set of two digits.
Bradford White Water Heaters:
Bradford White devises its water heater serial numbers so that the initial letter indicates the year they produced the unit, and the second letter tells you the month.
Year:
Water heaters built in 1984 or 2004 come with a serial number starting with the letter “A.” Units that the company built in 1985 or 2005 have a serial number that begins with the letter “B,” and so on, with Bradford White recycling letters every 20 years.
Month:
To indicate the month of manufacture, Bradford White water heater serial numbers use the letter “A” to stand for January, “B” for February, and so on.
Therefore, “BC” in the serial number means the company built the water heater in February of 1985 or 2005. If you’re not sure which decade your water heater was constructed in, the experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing will examine your water heater to determine how old it is.
Rheem and Ruud Water Heaters:
The Rheem and Ruud water heater that makes hot showers possible in your Melbourne home comes with a serial number that uses a MMYY (month-year) approach. So, “0418” indicates the company built your water heater in April 2018.
Signs Your Water Heater May Be Aging
Do you suspect that your water heater is showing its age? Here are the main signs:
- Water has a rusty hue
- The water heater makes weird rumbling noises
- Water temperature is not consistent
- Water leaks from the unit
Get in touch with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today if you notice one or more of these signs. We’ll check out your water heater and explain whether it’s more economical for you to repair or replace it.
When to Contact a Professional
You will want to contact us when you can’t find the serial number or manufacturing date in your records, or if the water heater is giving signs that it may be about to fail.
We offer yearly inspections and maintenance services for Melbourne water heaters to prolong their useful service life. Hiring us to do proactive maintenance is better than reactive maintenance, where you call us for inspection only after the water heater has a serious problem.
Benefits of Upgrading an Old Water Heater
You’ll benefit when you have us install a brand new water heater.
First, your utility bills should decrease. This is because a newer, more efficient water heater will use less power to keep water nice and hot.
We will advise you on the most efficient units currently available, such as heat pump water heaters and hybrid electric water heaters.
Second, you’ll reduce expenses further because of the manufacturer warranty, in case the unit needs repairs.
Third, we may be able to help you save even more money, if there are any current government or utility rebates available when buying a new, efficient water heater.
Is Your Water Heater Nearing Its Last Days? Here’s What to Do
Look at your installation paperwork to find the year the water heater was built. Or, check the side of the tank for the manufacturer’s serial number or a label that indicates the production year.
Melbourne residents with an aging water heater should schedule proactive maintenance, rather than merely reacting to trouble with their unit. We don’t want your water heater to fail unexpectedly, so contact us today to schedule an inspection and maintenance.
Don’t Get Caught Without Hot Water – Let’s Check Your Heater Today!
To avoid problems such as facing a cold shower or being unable to run your dishwasher with hot water, make sure to schedule an appointment with us to check your water heater. We’ll examine the unit and tell you if it’s better to maintain or fix it, or if it needs to be replaced.
Contact us today for professional water heater service!
FAQs
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing frequently gets these questions from Melbourne homeowners:
How can I find the serial number on my water heater?
Manufacturers typically put a sticker with the serial number on the side of the water heater tank, close to the energy saving and warning labels.
What does it mean if my water heater is making rumbling noises?
As the tank heats up, a build-up of sediment, calcium and dirt will often lead to rumbling noises coming out of the unit.
Is rusty water always a sign of a failing water heater?
Because it is constantly filling up and cycling water, the water heater is prone to rusting. We’ll inspect the unit to see how badly it might be corroded, and whether it’s time to upgrade your water heater.
Can I determine the age of my water heater without the serial
number?
Yes. Look at the installation paperwork. Or, the company may have placed a manufacturer’s label on the tank, showing its date of production.
What are the benefits of upgrading to a newer water heater model?
The new water heater will come with a warranty that helps protect your investment. And it will be more energy efficient than your older unit. This means you can expect utility bills to be reduced.
How often should I have my water heater inspected?
Our experts recommend you schedule inspections once every year. If we can find a problem early on, while it’s still small, it will be less expensive and easier to repair.