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how can i tell how old my whirlpool hot water heater is

by Ms. Virginie Sauer Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

The age of a Whirlpool water heater can be determined by looking at the model number and the serial number located on the bottom of the unit. The model number is usually located on a label attached to the front of the unit. The serial number is located on a label located inside the water heater’s packaging.

Full Answer

How do I find out what year my whirlpool water heater is?

Whirlpool water heaters are manufactured by Craftmaster, and their coding system is that the first two numbers of the serial number are the year of manufacture. So the serial number of the water heater data plate in the photo below (circled in red) indicates that the water heater was manufactured in 2005.

How old is my water heater based on serial number?

A water heater’s serial number typically uses four digits to give the heater’s age. The serial number often has several more digits in it. But these other digits usually don’t have anything to do with the age. You can ignore these. Most of the time, the heater age is given first in the serial number.

When should you replace your water heater?

When you see signs of age, such as running out of hot water, it can mean the tank has gotten filled up with sediment or something else is about to go wrong. If you know your heater is about to reach the end of its useful life, replacing it before it fails can save you a lot of time, energy, and money.

How can I tell how old my Whirlpool water heater is?

Whirlpool water heaters are manufactured by Craftmaster, and their coding system is that the first two numbers of the serial number are the year of manufacture.

Can you tell how old a water heater is by the serial number?

The year of manufacture is noted by the first letter of the serial number, and the month is the second letter. Is your water heater's brand not listed above? If your water heater's brand isn't listed, check NACHI's or The Water Heater Hub's serial decoder to learn more.

How old is my water heater by model number?

On older models, you can determine the age of your unit by decoding the water heater serial number. Some manufacturers, including Rheem, made it easy by incorporating the month and year built into the first 4 digits of the serial number.

How long do whirlpool hot water heaters last?

Whirlpool water heater average lifespan. 10 Years out of 1 Checkins.

How do you read a hot water heater label?

Since 2008, they use an 11- digit alpha-numeric serial number. The first two positions are the year followed by a two digit week. (Sept 1986) B-W uses a 20-year letter code cycle to designate the year. The first letter is the year and the second is the month.

What is the life expectancy of a water heater?

While the typical water heater has a lifespan of about 10 years, careful consideration of the factors that pertain to its lifespan can provide the InterNACHI home inspector and the homeowner with information about the potential costs that would be incurred by replacing the water heater.

Who makes Whirlpool water heater?

the American Water Heater CompanyWhirlpool water heaters are actually made by the American Water Heater Company (AWHC), one of four such manufacturers in the United States. Companies like Whirlpool, GE and Kenmore slap their stickers on the side of the tank and distribute the product to stores such as Lowe's and Sears.

How often should a hot water heater be replaced?

between eight and ten yearsHow Long Do Water Heaters Last. — The majority of water heaters last between eight and ten years. While ten is the age at which heater replacement is generally recommended, the actual need to replace a heater could arise before or after this timeline.

What is a Wcn number?

WCN stands for Working Code Number.

Can water heaters last 20 years?

Most tank water heaters have an average lifespan of 8 to 12 years, and tankless water heaters can last as long as 20 years.

What happened to Whirlpool water heater?

Update: Whirlpool no longer sells residential water heaters. Since they were previously manufactured by A.O. Smith, please see our review of A.O. Smith for models we currently recommend.

Should I replace my 15 year old water heater?

Anyway, you should consider replacing your water heater if it's about 6-12+ years old and when you start running out of hot water faster. However, age and lack of hot water aren't everything. You could have a 15-year-old water heater that works just fine and wouldn't need replacing.

Leaks

Did you know that a water heater can leak as much as 2 gallons of water per day? Leaks occur for a number of reasons, but mostly they occur because of rust. Over time, the metal inside the water heater becomes saturated with iron deposits.

Odd noises

Water heaters can make some noise as they operate. However, if you hear a constant, annoying sound, it could be a sign that something needs to be repaired. If this is the case, call an authorized dealer immediately. Don’t try to repair it yourself because there is a good chance that you will make it worse.

Leaky

If your water heater has a loose fitting lid, let us tell you something: It Is Time To Get A New Water Heater!

Incorrect Temperature

Older water heaters have a tendency to get the temperature of the water a little high or low. This is usually not a big deal. However, if you notice that your hot water is too hot or too cold, it is time to get a new water heater!

Burning Hazard

Water heaters can get very hot. But if they become too hot, there is a chance that they will start a fire. And while this is unlikely, it is something that you should be aware of. If you notice that your water heater has an unusually high heat output, even when it is not operating, it is time to get a new water heater!

How to tell how old a water heater is?

All water heaters have information on them you can use to see how old the heater is. Ideally, you can simply look at the manufacturer’s label . This should be on the side of the unit. It will usually include the date the heater was installed. However, sometimes the installation date may not appear there.

What are the warning signs of a water heater?

Warning signs like little or no hot water, low flow, and leaking fittings can alert you to the fact that your water heater is reaching the end of its useful life. This can help you decide whether to try to repair or replace the heater.

How long does a water heater last?

Water heaters can last a long time. But the expected lifetime for a water heater varies considerably. Some models can give faithful service for up to 20 years. However, others may only last around eight years. It partly depends on whether the heater uses electricity or gas for the fuel source.

What brands of heaters are made by A.O. Smith?

Many different brands may come from the same manufacturer. For example, A.O. Smith makes heaters sold under the Tru Value, Ace, and Whirlpool brands , and many others. In addition to the familiar Rheem and Ruud brands, Rheem has made heaters sold under the General Electric, Hotpoint, and Western Auto labels.

How many digits are in a water heater?

A water heater’s serial number typically uses four digits to give the heater’s age. The serial number often has several more digits in it. But these other digits usually don’t have anything to do with the age. You can ignore these. Most of the time, the heater age is given first in the serial number.

What does 1208 mean on a heater?

So 1208 means it was made in the eighth week of 2012. For older heaters, the second letter in the serial number gives the month.

What does it mean when your water heater is running out of water?

When you see signs of age, such as running out of hot water, it can mean the tank has gotten filled up with sediment or something else is about to go wrong.

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