If your water heater is making rumbling noises or shows signs of muddy water (try draining it to see what the water inside the tank looks like - follow detailed instructions on how to drain your water heater here - "muddy" water is a sign of corrosion inside the tank, a big red flag), it's probably time to think about replacing it. The best way to make your gas water heater last longer is to drain and flush your water heater once a year and replace the anode rod once every three years. How Can I Make my Gas Water Heater Hang On Longer? Position 5 is a letter followed by 6 numbers. The first two positions are the year followed by a two digit week. Prior to 2008, State used a 1-letter month followed by a 2-digit yearīeginning 2008, State uses an 11-digit alpha-numeric serial number. State Industries(State industries was acquired by A.O. Rheem uses a 2-digit month followed by a 2-digit year The first letter is the year and the second is the month.
The first two positions are the year followed by a two digit week.ī-W uses a 20-year letter code cycle to designate the year. A thru N = Jan thru Dec (excludes I).Since 2008, they use an 11-digit alpha-numeric serial number. Prior to 2008, the 2nd letter in the series is the month followed by the 2-digit year. Craftmaster and Whirlpool brand water heaters.)Īmerican uses a 2-digit year followed by a 2-digit week Smith in 2001 and currently only manufactures American, American-Pro-line, Premium Plus, U.S. (Prior to 2001, American was owned by GSW Corporation and manufactured water heaters for nearly 50 different brands. Determine the Age of Your Water Heater By Decoding the Serial Number Then use the description to decode the serial number. Check this chart to find the brand water heater you have.
Water heater manufacturers document the month and year or year and week of manufacturing as part of the serial numbers on the water heater. Decode the label by finding out (chart below) how that brand of water heater documents the manufacturing date within the serial number on the label. Determine the brand of your water heater.ģ. To figure how old your water heater is, try this decoding trick:Ģ. Watch this video to learn how to tell how old your water heater is.
How Can I Tell How Old My Water Heater Is? Gas water heaters last 8-12 years on average. If you're one of the majority of homeowners and you own a gas water heater, you need to know some basic information such as how to tell if your water heater is old enough to need replacement.
The remaining 7% have hybrid, solar or geothermal water heaters. Services - All Things Plumbing, Hot Water Heaters, Water Heaters Gas Water Heater BasicsĪ slight majority of Americans have gas water heaters (53%) approximately 40% have electric water heaters. Go Back How Long Does a Water Heater Last? Gas Water Heater Life Expectancy