How old is my water heater?
Type the serial number from the data plate. The decoder reads the manufacture date for 4 water heater 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 water heater, serial Q111516703
Made Mid March 2015
11 years, 7 months old
The serial reads as week 11 of 2015 (About 2013 to today format). Made, not installed: most units go in within a year of the factory date.
In the replacement window
A tank water heater (gas or electric) typically lasts 8 to 12 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.
Where the serial number is
On a tank, the rating label is on the side near the top or just above the gas valve or the electrical cover, among the warning labels. On a tankless unit, it's on the side or bottom of the cabinet, or behind 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 tank water heater (gas or electric) typically lasts 8 to 12 years. How long water heaters last, by type, and what shortens it.
Signs it's time to plan a replacement
- It is more than 10 years old.
- Water or rust around the base, the tank seams or the pipe connections on top. A leak from the tank body itself usually means replacement.
- Rusty, brown or bad-smelling hot water.
- Rumbling, popping or cracking sounds while it heats.
- Hot water runs out sooner than it used to.
Common questions
How do I find out how old my water heater 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 water heaters.
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 water heater last?
Typically 8 to 12 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. 4 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.