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Identify A.O. Smith Water Heater Age — Decode the Serial Number

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How to Decode Your Water Heater's Serial Number to Find Its Age · Step 3 of 4

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Next, the plumber examines an A.O. Smith water heater. He points to the information label and the serial number. For this older model, the serial number begins with letters and numbers that directly state the month and year, such as 'MA95' for March 1995. He also points out an ANSI standard date on the label (e.g., 1991) as a way to double-check and confirm the manufacturing decade.

Goal: Find the manufacturing date of an A.O. Smith water heater

  • Look for an ANSI standard date elsewhere on the label to help confirm the decade of manufacture.

Used in this video

  • Marker · optional — Marking the relevant numbers on the water heater label
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This Old House

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FAQs

Is it safe to touch my water heater, and should I take any precautions before locating its data plate?

Yes, it's generally safe to examine your water heater. Always ensure your hands are dry and avoid touching any exposed electrical wiring or gas lines. For gas units, quickly check for any signs of gas leaks or unusual odors before proceeding.

I can't find the data plate on my water heater. Where is it usually located?

The manufacturer's data plate, or label, is typically a sticker or metal plate found on the side of the tank, near the top, or sometimes on the front access panel. Use a flashlight and gently clean any dust or debris if it's hard to read.

Once I find the serial number, how do I actually decode it to find the manufacturing date?

Most manufacturers embed the date within the first few characters of the serial number, often in YYMM or MMYY format. For example, '0810xxxxxx' could mean October 2008. If this pattern doesn't fit, check the specific manufacturer's website or an online decoding chart for your brand.

Why is it important to know the exact age of my water heater?

Knowing your water heater's age is crucial for proactive home maintenance and budget planning. Most units have a lifespan of 8-12 years, and older ones become less energy-efficient and are more prone to unexpected failures, which could lead to costly water damage.

Transcript
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the GE. So this was built in 2001, 22 years old. This one actually did today. This particular AO Smith is 20 years old. They're really nice to us in their serial number on their information label. They actually put it March 1995. And that really coincides. Whenever I see something like this, I always try to find something else on the tag that kind of confirms like this 95. And then I see this anti-standard right here. It meant security specifications of 1991. So that's kind of double confirmation that this serial number is giving us good information in 1995. So this one is 28 years old. Use the world pool.

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