howoldisthat

How old is that water heater?

Type the serial number from the label. You’ll see when it was built and how much life it likely has left. Everything runs in your browser.

Scan insteadWhere is the label?

Example

Q121561200
  • QPlant: Q = Nuevo Laredo, Mexico
  • 12Week: 12 (around March)
  • 15Year: 15 = 2015

Built Week 12 of 2015 (around March)

11 years, 7 months old

In replacement window. Inside the usual 6 to 12 year lifespan, so replacement could come any time. Worth budgeting for it.

What to do now

  • Get a replacement quote now, while there is no emergency. Prices are better when you can compare.
  • Check the floor around the base and the pipe fittings on top for moisture or rust every few months.
  • Know where the cold water shutoff above the tank is, so you can stop a leak quickly.
  • Some home insurers ask the age of the water heater, and in Florida a 4-point inspection flags tanks over 10 years. Check before you renew or buy a house.
  • Tank warranties usually run 6 to 12 years. Coverage usually counts from the install date or from a few months after the build date, so the build date is a good guide.
How this was read
  1. Q is the plant letter (Nuevo Laredo, Mexico).
  2. The next two digits, 12, are the week of the year.
  3. The two digits after that, 15, are the year: 2015.

Format: Rheem plant letter, week and year. Sources: Rheem service bulletin TSB 1207 (PDF), Rheem: reading your serial number, CPSC 2016 Rheem recall.

Good to know

Is the build date the same as the install date?

No. The serial shows when the factory built the unit. Most are installed within a few months, but one can sit in a warehouse for a year or more. Your install paperwork or a date written on the tank by the plumber is the better record of install date.

Why does it sometimes show two dates?

Some makers, Bradford White in particular, use letter codes that start over every 20 years. A code like that fits two dates. The checker lists both and the clues that tell them apart.

What if my brand isn’t listed?

Many store brands are built by a few big manufacturers. Pick "Not sure, detect it" and the checker tries every format it knows. If nothing fits, send us the brand and we’ll look into adding it.