AO Smith serial number change ?

[Gene South]

I have 3 different water heater serial number date charts that I used. (Most of which I got from posts on this website over the years). On all of these charts, AO Smith water heaters, the 2nd letter is the month and letters 3 and 4 are the year, but lately I have started to notice that AO Smith serial numbers no longer have the year as the 2nd digit, but as the first digit. For example "J06" would mean October 2006. The date charts say the year is the 2nd digit but I have been seeing a lot of AO smith heaters where the year is the 1st letter. Anyone notice this ? Not a big deal, just wondered. See photo. Hope this makes sense.

[H.G. Watson, Sr.]

MJxx, AJxxor Jxx equals September, not October, for AO Smith Mfg'd Water heaters. An October manufacture/certification would be a "K" code.

When in doubt check their own website, and, their recall announcements in cooperation with the CPSC, they don't dare get those wrong - it costs them money (fines) if they do.:D Recall, a.o. smith water heaters (clickable link to a CPSC recall release): A.O. Smith Recall of Water Heaters (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06002.html) or here (clickable link to AO smith page, featuring yet another recall - baffles): Safety Recall Notice > A. O. Smith Water Heaters (http://www.hotwater.com/safety-recall-notice/)

Wasn't always as it is now. It used to be xxYY-MMxxxxx-xxx YY and MM were represented numerically.

[Gene South]

Hi H.G. Thanks. At least I got the year right. Ha.

Thanks for the info.

Gene