How old is my AC or heat pump?
Type the serial number from the data plate. The decoder reads the manufacture date for 7 AC or heat pump brands and shows where that age sits on a typical lifespan.
Free, no account. Every format is tested against real serial numbers before it goes live.
Example: Rheem air conditioner, serial 8254W141302706
Made Early April 2013
13 years, 6 months old
The serial reads as week 14 of 2013 (Mid-1970s to today (letter in the middle) format). Made, not installed: most units go in within a year of the factory date.
In the replacement window
A central air conditioner typically lasts 10 to 15 years, and this one is in that range. It may keep going, but this is the age to budget for a replacement rather than wait for it to fail.
AC and heat pumps by brand, A to Z
One page per brand with the date code explained and real examples. Brands that share a bigger maker's code say whose.
- American Standard
- Ameristar (decodes like Trane)
- Rheem
- Ruud
- Sure Comfort (decodes like Rheem HVAC)
- Trane
- WeatherKing (decodes like Rheem HVAC)
Where the serial number is
On the outdoor unit, usually a metal or foil plate on a side or back panel near where the refrigerant lines go in. A ductless mini-split also has a label on the side of the indoor unit, under the front cover.
Look for "Serial", "Serial No." or "S/N". Use the serial, not the model number: only the serial carries the date.
What the age means
A central air conditioner typically lasts 10 to 15 years. How long air conditioners and heat pumps last, by type, and what shortens it.
Signs it's time to plan a replacement
- It is more than 10 years old.
- Breakdowns are frequent, or a repair approaches half the cost of a new system.
- Energy bills keep climbing with no change in use.
- Uneven cooling or loud noises.
- It uses R-22. New R-22 hasn't been made or imported in the U.S. since 2020, so recharges rely on recovered refrigerant.
Common questions
How do I find out how old my AC or heat pump is?
Find the serial number on the data plate and decode it here. Most makers write the year and the month or week of manufacture into the serial. Pick the brand on the label; if you're not sure, the decoder tries every format we've verified for air conditioners and heat pumps.
Is the date in the model number or the serial number?
The serial number. The model number describes the unit's series, size and efficiency, but not when it was made.
What if my brand isn't listed?
Many brands are made by a larger manufacturer and share its date code; the list above says which. If yours isn't there, choose "Not sure" or send us the serial with the form below and we'll work on it.
How long does a AC or heat pump last?
Typically 10 to 15 years, depending on the type, installation, maintenance and conditions. The result card shows where yours sits on that range.
How accurate is the decoder?
Every format is tested against real serial numbers whose dates we confirmed independently before it goes live, and the decoder never guesses: if a serial could mean two years, it shows both. 7 brands are covered today.
Did your serial decode wrong, or not at all?
Send it with the brand and equipment type. Every submission is checked by hand and, once resolved, becomes a test the decoder must pass.
Email the serial number, the brand, and whether it's a water heater, furnace, AC or boiler to support@factorydate.com.
If the label prints a manufacture date, include it: that's what lets us confirm a new format. A photo of the plate helps too.