Age of GE Condensing Units

[Manzoor Husain]

I need help in finding the the age of this unit with some hints on how to use the model and serial numbers.
Model : BTR948C100AO, Serial: 229633A06
Thanks

[neal lewis]

GE stopped making residential A/C & heating equipment in the mid eighties. For awhile after that, the units looked the same, but had a Trane tag on them.

[Manzoor Husain]

This unit has a GE tag.Are the model nos and Serial no. telling us the age of the unit?

[Jim Luttrall]

Here is an excerpt from an earlier thread, not that it helps since it does not match from what I can tell.
You might try posting a photo of the data plate if you have it.

General Electric: Age is the last 3 digits of the serial number. First digit being the year
and the second and third digits being the month. Example xxxxx241 = 41st week of 1982,
92, 02 etc., xxxxx533 = 33rd week of 1985, 95, 05 etc..

http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/attachments/heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-hvac-home-inspection-commercial-inspection/12891d1247441382-age-ac-unit-furnace-age-chart-udated.pdf

[Ted Menelly]

This is a code help link for determining age of appliances

HVAC Equipment - How to determine the age (http://hisearch.org/hvac.aspx)

As Jim said the numbers do not match what a GE would be due to the last three*numbers*. Yours has an A for the third to last spot on the serial number

[H.G. Watson, Sr.]

I believe J.L. and T.M. might be mistaken on the A/C, HP, Chillers, both GE mfg/branded and Trane.

According to some notes,

7th digit letter A=1980,
T=1981 &
U=1982

GE Central Air Conditioner, Chiller, & HP. Accq. by Trane 82/83, further acq. Amer. Stand. 84/86.
Trane Divs. continued Alpha character/year association
for 80s & 90s. (but may have moved position at some point, don't recall anymore and notes aren't clear) thusly:
W 83
X 84
Y 85
S 86
Resetting in 87
B 87
C 88
D 89
E 90
F 91
G 92
H 93
J 94
K 95
L 96
M 97
N 98
P 1999
R 2000
Z 2001
Then changed to nine numeric characters (no alpha) for serial numbering. in 2002.


I believe 48,000 Btu unit mfg. 1980, possibly 6th week. Not that matters much, General Electric branded/labeled, central air conditoner or HP, means its OLD (newest would by 28 y.o.), as far as energy efficiency goes, a hog. Well beyond expected life. At least four "generations" behind as far as efficiency.

HTH.

[Jon Errickson]

Great link! Thanks Ted.

[Manzoor Husain]

Thanks for the information and Ted very useful link.What I can make out that this is from the 80's possibly 81. See if the data plate can confirm this.
Thanks

[Jim Luttrall]

Bottom line on that particular unit is that it is too old to matter. It is waaayyyy beyond its normal life expectancy. Budget for replacement NOW.

[H.G. Watson, Sr.]

That rating plate is meaningless as it is photographed as it has been at some point removed and/or altered. It has removable screws mounting it where irreversible screws or rivets would/should have been. That in and of itself, would void any prior listing status.