Tampa, FL residents should know how to determine the age of their home’s water heater, so they can plan to schedule maintenance or replacement of the unit.
To get started, examine manufacturing details in the documents from when the water heater was installed. If you can’t access this information, check the side of the water heater tank for a manufacturer sticker showing the serial number. You can interpret the serial number to find out when the company manufactured your unit.
Why Knowing Your Water Heater’s Age Matters
Since water heaters have different service lives depending on their construction and configuration, you’ll want to know how old your unit is. Consider that tankless water heaters typically last up to 20 years, while tank-style water heaters usually run for 8 to 12 years.
Without the serial number or other documentation to show you the age of your water heater, it’s possible the unit is old enough to require replacement soon.
Efficiency declines as your water heater ages, which means it will use more energy to provide the same level of heating. Your Tampa utility bills will steadily rise as the water heater grows older.
Keep in mind that older water heaters are more likely to break down than newer units.
The potential for your water heater to fail grows larger when you skip the recommended annual inspections and maintenance from professional plumbers, such as the experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.
Locating the Manufacturer’s Label
Check the side of your water heater for the manufacturer’s serial number, printed on a sticker that is often placed next to warning and energy savings information stickers.
Some manufacturers only include the date when they produced the unit. Others use a serial number that you’ll need to decode to get the date of production.
Decoding the Serial Number by Brand
Companies come up with their own ways to indicate the manufacturing date of water heaters in their serial numbers. Here are some tips to help you decipher water heater serial numbers:
A.O. Smith Water Heaters:
A.O. Smith lists two digits at the beginning of its serial number to indicate the date they built the water heater. The week of manufacture is signified by the second two digits of the serial number.
Bradford White Water Heaters:
The year when your Bradford White water heater was produced appears as the first letter in the serial number. The month is shown by the second letter.
Year:
A Bradford White water heater constructed in 1984 or 2004 is noted by the letter “A” at the start of the serial number, and “B” for 1985 or 2005, and so on.
This company recycles the serial number letters over a 20-year cycle.
Month:
For the second letter in their serial number, Bradford White uses the letter “A” to denote manufacture in January, “B” for February, etc.
This means, for example, that a serial number with “BB” shows your water heater was built in February 1985 or 2005. Contact the experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing for assistance deciphering your water heater’s serial number if you’re not certain about which decade it was built.
Rheem and Ruud Water Heaters:
A water heater from Rheem and Ruud water comes with a serial number based on the month-year (MMYY) format. If your tank’s serial number shows “0319,” it shows they built it in March 2019.
Signs Your Water Heater May Be Aging
These are the main indicators that your water heater is starting to age:
- Rusty water
- Strange, rumbling sounds
- Inconsistent water temperature
- Leaking water from the tank
Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today if you detect any of these signs. We’ll schedule an expert plumber to inspect your water heater and discuss options to fix or upgrade the unit.
When to Contact a Professional
If you notice obvious problems with your Tampa home’s water heater or are unable to determine when it was built, it’s a good idea to call us.
We are here to help you keep your water heater in the best possible condition, with inspections and maintenance services. If you need to replace the unit, we’ll inform you about the latest rebates so you can save money on your purchase.
Benefits of Upgrading an Old Water Heater
The new unit will come with a manufacturer’s warranty, which saves you money and protects your investment. Another benefit is that your new, efficient unit will use less energy to do its job, so you’ll save on future utility bills.
You can save even more when you select one of the newer forms of water heaters. For example, our experts will advise you on the merits of installing a heat pump water heater or a hybrid electric water heater.
Is Your Water Heater Nearing Its Last Days? Here’s What to Do
Review the paperwork from your water heater’s installation or look for the manufacturing date or serial number on the side of the tank.
Then, arrange for proactive maintenance from the experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. We have years of experience keeping Tampa homeowners’ water heaters operational.
Don’t Get Caught Without Hot Water – Let’s Check Your Heater Today!
You and your family rely on hot water coming out of fixtures on demand, so make sure you keep the unit working optimally by scheduling service. We will inspect your water heater and see how long it can function, or if it’s close to needing to be replaced.
Contact us today to set up a service call!
FAQs
Homeowners often contact us about water heaters in Tampa. Here are answers to their most frequently asked questions.
How can I find the serial number on my water heater?
You should be able to find the sticker with the serial number stuck to the side of the tank. Often it is located next to the energy guide and warning label stickers.
What does it mean if my water heater is making rumbling noises?
Those rumbling noises happen as water heats up, if dirt, sediment and calcium accumulate on the tank’s bottom.
Is rusty water always a sign of a failing water heater?
Usually, rusty-colored water means your water heater has rust and corrosion. Contact us for an inspection, to see how extensive the rusting is.
Can I determine the age of my water heater without the serial
number?
Sometimes manufacturers list the production date instead of a serial number on the side of the tank. Or, you can find the year and month of manufacture in the paperwork you got during installation.
What are the benefits of upgrading to a newer water heater model?
Anticipate that your utility bills will start to decrease, since a new water heater runs more efficiently, using less power.
Another important benefit is the warranty coverage you get from the manufacturer, in case any repairs might be needed in the future.
How often should I have my water heater inspected?
Our experts suggest you schedule inspections annually. With regular maintenance, we are able to help keep your water heater working longer before it needs to be replaced.
It will also be easier and less expensive to fix problems when they’re still relatively small, thanks to annual inspections.