Your dependable water heater operates inconspicuously behind the scenes providing you with everyday commodities such as hot showers, the ability to properly wash your dishes, and the comforts of having fresh laundry. However, like other household appliances, water heaters also have an average lifespan, typically eight to twelve years if they are well-maintained. Hence, we believe it’s prudent to keep track of your water heater’s age. Although adding another date to remember might seem burdensome, knowing your water heater’s age can prove invaluable, shielding yourself from unexpected surprises regarding replacements down the road. Follow these steps from your Springboro Plumbing & Drain to unveil the mystery of just how old your water heater actually is.
Retrieve Installation Date from Your Records:
The first and simplest way to determine your water heater’s age is to check the installation records – if those are available to you. This means if you find the installation date, you’ll find your answer. However, if you do not have paperwork or you don’t have the information on who installed your water heater, that’s okay. Proceed to the steps below.
Locate the Serial Number:
The next best way to figure out your water heater’s age is to find the manufacture date. But most water heaters don’t have the manufacture date clearly labeled on the unit. Instead, you’ll find that information coded within the serial number. Now bear in mind that most water heaters feature a product label containing the unit’s serial number. So, if you can locate the serial number first, that is the first step to getting the answer you need. Here are a few ways you can locate the serial number on your water heater:
- Check the product label on the water heater.
- Look in the user manual if it is available to you.
- Try the manufacturer’s website for information on how to find the serial number.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some manufacturers adopt a straightforward code where the initial four characters denote the year and week of production (e.g., YYWW). Just remember each brand may vary on how the serial number is represented.
Harness Your Online Investigative Skills:
Numerous online resources and databases are available to help you determine your water heater’s age based on the manufacturer and serial number. Record your water heater’s brand and serial number. So, once you have found the serial number, type that as well as the brand of the water heater and the words “manufacture date” into your preferred online search engine. This should yield several websites detailing precise instructions on using the serial number to decode your water heater’s manufacture date. And voila – at this point, you should have successfully found out just how old your water heater is! Congrats!
Ask Us During Your Next Inspection:
If you are still having difficulty determining your water heater’s age, it happens sometimes. But no worries! We’ll take care of you! During your next yearly inspection, feel free to ask your scheduled plumber for assistance with this. We would be more than happy to help you as we are committed to addressing all your plumbing needs, no matter what it is!
Remember, we are here for all of your plumbing needs! Call Springboro Plumbing & Drain today at (937) 912-1338, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
