Figure Out Water Heater Age

Do you enjoy hot water? Silly question, we all do. Knowing how old your water heater is can help you keep hot water and avoid costly leaks.

That’s because the older your water heater is, the closer it is to having a leak and becoming dysfunctional.

Fortunately, it’s really simple to figure out the age of your heater!

Grab your flashlight and reading glasses if you need them; you’ll be looking at a lot of tiny numbers.

Water Heater Serial Number

Next, find the serial number on the front of your heater. There will be a label that contains the serial and model numbers as well as the gallon capacity.

Look at the serial number. The first two digits will tell you the month and the next two digits will tell you the year it was made.

For example, let’s say the serial number is 119237485-b. That means it was made in November of 1992.

If you want to double-check the age, you can always call the manufacturer and have them confirm. There should be a phone number on the water heater or you can look it up online. Just tell them the serial number and they can tell you when it was made.

Now, if your water heater is over 12 years in age, you’ll want to start doing research to figure out what kind of replacement you would like. Heaters are only built to last for 10-12 years, so if yours is getting close you should plan to replace it before it starts leaking.

Extend the Life of Your Heater

You can also read a cool way to extend the life of your water heater here.

Here are some other warning signs that probably mean your water heater doesn’t have much life left in it:

  • Your water isn’t getting as hot as it used to
  • You’re running out of hot water faster than normal
  • The tank makes rumbling sounds when the burner is on
  • Your hot water is rusty

Whatever you do, don’t wait for an emergency to strike. It’s always more expensive to replace appliances after they break because you have the added expenses of water damage and rush shipping (if it has to be ordered) and installation. It definitely pays to plan ahead in this case!

Schedule a Plumber

Schedule a plumber if you need assistance, we are happy to help.

Read our reviews to learn more about us or our services.