Learn the age of your water heater or boiler with this guide. This article is a quick reference guide for the most common manufacturers of water heaters (and boilers). Most manufacturers of water heaters do not clearly state the year of manufacture on the data plate or label; however, the year of manufacture is typically coded in the serial number. By referencing the manufacturer below with the serial number, the age of the equipment can be determined in most cases.
Manufacturers have been inconsistent with their labeling over the years, so buyers should verify this information by following up with the manufacturer. A lot of information can be included in the serial number, including the month of manufacture, day of manufacture, manufacture plant, type of unit, and more. When determining a unit’s life expectancy, we are most interested in the year of manufacture, which is the focus of this article. The list includes major manufacturers of tankless water heaters, electric water heater tanks, heat pump water heaters, geothermal water heaters, natural gas water heaters, and propane water heaters.
What is the typical life expectancy of a water heater or boiler?
Water Heaters typically have a 15-20 year life expectancy. Their service life can be extended by replacing the heating elements and other components. Boilers, like Weil McLain, have a typical service life of between 20 and 25 years with regular maintenance.
What is the best way to install or replace a water heater?
See also:
How old are my Kitchen and Laundry Appliances?
How old is my Heat Pump, Furnace, or AC?
Typical Service Life of Components of the Home
How Old is My Water Heater?
American
AO Smith
Apollo
Bosch
Bradford White
General Electric or GE
GSW
Navien
Rheem
Ruud
Rinnai
State Industries
Takagi
US Craftmaster
Weil-McLain
Whirlpool
American
How old is my American water heater?
The year of manufacture for American water heaters is encoded in the serial number.
See AO Smith
AO Smith
How old is my AO Smith water heater?
The year of manufacture for AO Smith water heaters is encoded in the serial number.
Y=year of manufacturer X=letter 7=numbers
YY77X7777777 (1st and 2nd numbers of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture)
YY777 77777 (1st and 2nd numbers of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture)
YY77777777777 (1st and 2nd numbers of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture)
Note: Older units may have additional letters before the 1st and 2nd numbers
Apollo
How old is my Apollo water heater or boiler?
The year of manufacture for Apollo water heaters is encoded in the serial number.
Y=year of manufacturer X=letter 7=numbers
XYYX77777 (1st and 2nd numbers of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture)
Note: Older units may have additional letters before the 1st and 2nd numbers
Bosch
How old is my Bosch water heater or boiler?
The year of manufacture for Bosch water heaters and boilers is encoded in the serial number.
Y=year of manufacturer X=letter 7=numbers
77777777-77-Y777-7777 (11th digit represents the year of manufacture. Decade must be assumed.)
-or-
777777-YY777-77777-7777777777 (7th and 8th digit represents the year of manufacture)
Bradford White
How old is my Bradford White water heater?
The year of manufacture for Bradford White water heaters is encoded in the serial number.
Y=year of manufacturer X=letter 7=numbers
YX7777777 (The 1st letter of the serial number indicates the year of manufacture)
A=2004 B=2005 C=2006 D=2007 E=2008 F=2009 G=1990/2010 H=1991/2011 J=1992/2012 K=1993/2013 L=1994/2014
M=1995/2015 N=1996/2016 P=1997/2017 S=1998/2018 T=1999/2019 W=2000/2020 X=2001/2021 Y=2002/2022 Z=2003/2023
General Electric or GE
How old is my General Electric or GE water heater?
The year of manufacture for General Electric water heaters is encoded in the serial number.
Y=year of manufacturer X=letter 7=numbers
77YY000000 (3rd and 4th numbers of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture)
XX77YY777777 (3rd and 4th numbers of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture)
Gas units: GENG 77YYX77777 (3rd and 4th numbers of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture)
GSW
How old is my GSW water heater?
The year of manufacture for GSW water heaters is encoded in the serial number.
See AO Smith
Navien
How old is my Navien water heater?
The year of manufacture for Navien water heaters is encoded in the serial number.
Y=year of manufacturer X=letter 7=numbers
7777XYY77777777 (5th and 6th numbers after a letter of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture)
7777XYYX7777777 (5th and 6th numbers after a letter of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture)
7777-YYYY7777-7777 (5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th numbers of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture)
7777-YYYY-777-7777 (5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th numbers of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture)
Rheem
How old is my Rheem water heater?
The year of manufacture for Rheem water heaters is encoded in the serial number.
Y=year of manufacturer X=letter 7=numbers
Prefix – 77YYX7777777777X (3rd and 4th numbers of the serial number, after the letter prefix, indicate the year of manufacture. Prefixes may begin with the letters R, RN, RNG, RHNG, RHLN, RHUN M, R, A, or D)
Tankless YY.77-777777 (1st and 2nd numbers after a letter of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture)
Ruud
How old is my Ruud water heater?
The year of manufacture for Ruud water heaters is encoded in the serial number.
See Rheem
Rinnai
How old is my Rinnai water heater?
The year of manufacture for Rinnai water heaters is encoded in the serial number.
Y=year of manufacturer X=letter 7=numbers
2009 and later Y7. CA-777777 (1st letter of the serial number indicates the year of manufacture)
A=2009 B=2010 C=2011 D=2012 E=2013 F=2014 G=2015 H=2016 J=2017 K=2018 L=2019 M=2020 N=2021 P=2022 Q=2023
before 2009 YY. 77-77777 (1st and 2nd numbers of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture)
State Industries
How old is my State Industries water heater?
The year of manufacture for State Industry water heaters is encoded in the serial number.
Y=year of manufacturer X=letter 7=numbers
YY77X777777 (1st and 2nd numbers of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture)
— or —
XYY77 X777777 (1st and 2nd numbers after first letter)
Takagi
How old is my Takagi water heater?
Call 888 882 5244 with the serial number.
US Craftmaster
How old is my US Craftmaster water heater?
The year of manufacture for US Craftmaster water heaters is encoded in the serial number.
Y=year of manufacturer X=letter 7=numbers
YY7777777 (1st and 2nd numbers of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture)
Whirlpool
How old is my Whirlpool water heater?
The year of manufacture for Whirlpool water heaters is encoded in the serial number.
Y=year of manufacturer X=letter 7=numbers
YY77X777777 (1st and 2nd numbers of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture)
Note: Serial numbers may or may not have a letter.
How old is my Boiler?
Most boiler manufacturers do not clearly state the manufacture year on the data plate or label, but luckily the year of manufacture is typically coded in the serial number. By referencing the manufacturer below with the serial number, the age of the equipment can be determined in most cases.
Bosch
Weil McLain
How old is my Weil McLain boiler?
The CP number is found on a white sticker on the boiler. The year of manufacture for Weil McLain boilers is encoded in the CP number. Or call 219 879-6561 or 866 783-9276. The company also has a CP number lookup page here. NOTE: Newer CP numbers have 7 digits. If the CP number is only 6 numbers then add a 0 before the numbers and look on the CP number lookup page (link above).
Pre- 2000 — 1414001-3810000
2000 — 3810001-4055000
2001 — 4055001-4311000
2002 — 4311001-4586999
2003 — 4587000-4807000
2004 — 4807001-5047000
2005 — 5047001-5301000
2006 — 5301001-5454497
2007 — 5454498-5721063
2008 — 5731064-5957346
2009 — 5957347-6150483
2010 — 6150484-6368018
2011 — 6368019-6555277
2012 — 6555278-6779489
2013 — 6779490-6998292
2014 — 6998293-7209932
2015 — 7209933-7429423
2016 — 7429424-7493025
2017 — 7493026-7629669
2018 — 7629670-7729057
2019 — 7729058-7782025
2020 — 7782026-7880529
2021 — 7880530-7961367
2022 — 7961368-
What is the best way to install or replace a water heater?
Homeowners: Do you have to replace your water heater? Ask your plumber about the items below. Regardless of whether the water heater is tankless, electric, or gas, a sound installation will include the following:
- A drain pan and overflow drain that exits to the outside, if possible
- The exit for the Temperature Pressure Relief Valve (TPRV) should be visible to occupants in case of a leak or problem.
- A leak sensor should be installed near the floor (water heaters are one of the most common causes of water damage)
- Good accessibility should be provided for maintenance, inspection, and repair
- The expansion tank should be replaced (public water)
- The pressure reduction valve or PRV should be replaced (public water)
- The main water shut-off valve should be replaced (public water)
Water Heater and Plumbing Inspections in Asheville and WNC
Our Company, Builder Buddy Inspections & Testing, provides a thorough evaluation of the water heater and plumbing as part of our Home Inspections, Pre-sale Inspections, Commercial Inspections, and Annual Maintenance Inspections. We always carefully inspect the expansion tank, shut-off valve, PRV, and other components of the water heater. Expensive water damage from water heaters is widespread and can be prevented as part of our Annual Inspection Program. If you are within 40 miles of Asheville, call us today to set up an appointment or schedule here.
